Smart meters - what is the purpose?

Keep getting nagged by my energy supplier to have one of these installed, but have heard some people advise against it. Is it worth doing or not?
AFAIK there is a new type of smart meter that will be standard across all suppliers. Don't know if it's out yet but my new supplier are not fitting any until mid-2019 at the earliest. I had one installed by my previous supplier last February but it's the old type so I am back to submitting quarterly readings. To be honest I never looked at the indoor display anyway. I don't think it made me use any less energy.

All that said, it's a free install.
 
Do they measure real or apparent power?
What are you billed for now and what will you be billed for by the smart meter?

These are the questions to ask.
I assume this is for when you're not on a fixed rate deal where you pay the same amount each month and that amount is reviewed every so often so you don't fall too far behind or ahead. Or is it something else?
 
Keep getting nagged by my energy supplier to have one of these installed, but have heard some people advise against it. Is it worth doing or not?
Just gets a bit scary on the 'arc' going red when the kettle & washer is on.

Made no difference to what we use/pay etc
 
They just tell the dim that anything with an electrical heater element in it is using more power than the radio or phone charger.
 
Suppose if you shit yourself when it shows the daily spend and put a jumper on rather than leave the heating working they would.

Or do the same when you get the bill - smart meters are unnecessary to save you money but they will gather valuable data on you as a user which the energy company can exploit.
 
Or do the same when you get the bill - smart meters are unnecessary to save you money but they will gather valuable data on you as a user which the energy company can exploit.
This is exactly how I see it, the annoying adverts always end with someone speed reading the cop out clause, "any savings are made by you using less appliances", or words to that effect. So it's a no from me.
 
I wanted a smart meter to try and work out how much the outdoor pool heater was actually costing per day. (it's only a Costco frame pool)
We've changed from a 3kw direct heater to one of those Air Source Heat Pumps. We were paying nearly £200 a month extra. So i'm praying they new heater is cheaper.
It was supposed to be fitted last year, but they failed to show. I had a melt down about losing a days pay and fucked the company off. My new supplier was much better and showed up on the day booked.
Trouble is, it doesn't work properly. The display doesn't stay on unless pointing towards a very bright light. So you have to press a button to get it to wake up. And the bar that is supposed to change when you use more energy just sits in the red. It is supposed to learn your average usage, and only go red when your use is above average etc. It's not the pool yet as the heater is off until April.
We phoned the supplier up and they didn't want to know. They said they couldn't swap it until we had had it a while, as they normally sort themselves out. Well six months later, it hasn't. They are the only ones to benefit, as they get my readings without having to send somebody out. I'm said i'm leaving unless they sort it.
So they are finally coming next week.

As for water meters, don't get me started. Most people on them turn into water refugees. Not flushing the toilet/less baths, moaning about dry days because they won't use a hose to water the garden. Yes they might save some money, but they pay with their peace of mind. (and hygiene!)
I hate the thought we might have to have one when we move house.
Love the look on my "water meter" neighbors face as i fill and re-ill the 10,00 litre pool over the summer months!

Next up metering oxygen? (maybe i've watched too many Dr Who's!)
 

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top
  AdBlock Detected
Bluemoon relies on advertising to pay our hosting fees. Please support the site by disabling your ad blocking software to help keep the forum sustainable. Thanks.