N.Power and Smart Meters letter today

[Pete999]

Got a letter today from my energy supplier, saying that they are in the process of installing Smart meters to all of their Customers, and will be informing me within the next couple of weeks, when they will be coming to change my Meters over, question is can I refuse? Your thoughts and answer will be appreciated.

 

[Leesparkykent]

I’m with eon and got mine (gas and elec) fitted about 6 months ago.
Have had no bother with them, the guy who did the work was pleasant enough and knowledgable on their operation.
On his arrival I said to him “I’ve cleared the meter cupboard out for you, I’m an electrician so I know what it’s like when there full of clutter”
He did the gas meter first, then spent ages on the electric meter, I think he took longer to do a better job! Which to be fair it was.
Any reason why to be against them?

To big brotherish imo. Can tell what your using, when your using it etc. It's more unnecessary data collection. From this they can work out rough times your in and out of the house, when your most likely to be at home and so on.

 

[Pete999]

They are not compatible between suppliers, so when you want to change your supplier you have to change your meter again!

There are reports of them not recording accurately..

Anyway, all these are about is making meter readers redundant ........ they do not contribute to anything "green" ....

Understan what you are saying

 

[Pete999]

To big brotherish imo. Can tell what your using, when your using it etc. It's more unnecessary data collection. From this they can work out rough times your in and out of the house, when your most likely to be at home and so on.

KGB in cognito

 

[Leesparkykent]

KGB in cognito

lol they could plunge us all in to darkness at the hit of a button....I'll just go and fetch my tinfoil hat on a serious note though Pete it's what they do with the data they collect. Say they could work out when your most likely to be in or out from your usage and this gets put in to a data base. Could be sold off to the likes of telesales company's...

 

[Pete999]

lol they could plunge us all in the darkness at the hit of a button....I'll just go and fetch my tinfoil hat

Think my question will be "where is your Torque screwdriver set"?

 

[Leesparkykent]

Think my question will be "where is your Torque screwdriver set"?

Followed by "would you mind me taking a look at the calibration certificate for said torque screwdriver" "Oh you don't have one...deary me! "

 

[snowhead]

Anyway, all these are about is making meter readers redundant ........ they do not contribute to anything "green" ....

Don't worry the meter fitters will get their come-uppance soon when the mass program ends.

OH, no they won't cause now they've got to go around again and replace the early ones.
And when they've finished that they'll probably have to go around the others when faults have been found with them.

Forth Bridge anyone?

 

[Octopus]

And how many fires have been caused by unnecessary changes of meters by barely competent meter fitters?

 

[KEV 1 N]

To big brotherish imo. Can tell what your using, when your using it etc. It's more unnecessary data collection. From this they can work out rough times your in and out of the house, when your most likely to be at home and so on.

Haha! Never thought of it like that! I think the supplier will have better things to do, than spy on people’s habits! Maybe I’ll put my kettle on a timer to boil every half hour from 2am, just to confuse them!

 

[Des 56]

The likelihood of demand outstripping supply in the near future on a regular basis is very possible,rationing of that demand may entail restricting availability either through varying tariffs at different times or even cutting the power to households if the problem becomes severe

Those lucky people with installed "fortune saving" smart meters will find themselves very convenient folks for the providers to control
(one way or the other)

Those of us with old and supposedly costly older meters may have to allow you to shoulder that responsibility alone

 

[KEV 1 N]

The likelihood of demand outstripping supply in the near future on a regular basis is very possible,rationing of that demand may entail restricting availability either through varying tariffs at different times or even cutting the power to households if the problem becomes severe

Those lucky people with installed "fortune saving" smart meters will find themselves very convenient folks for the providers to control
(one way or the other)

Those of us with old and supposedly costly older meters may have to allow you to shoulder that responsibility alone

Are you talking about the consumption of energy?

I guess anyone with a smart meter, who doesn’t pay their bill, could have their power cut remotely.
But if you don’t pay water rates, eventually they come out and turn water off at the street and fill in the access hole in with concrete!

 

[Des 56]

Are you talking about the consumption of energy?

No,I was talking about "control" of consumption

 

[KEV 1 N]

No,I was talking about "control" of consumption

Why would they need to control it? As long as your direct debit is set up, there won’t be any problems, unless you don’t pay, but they’ll take action whatever meter you have.

 

[Des 56]

Why would they need to control it? As long as your direct debit is set up, there won’t be any problems, unless you don’t pay, but they’ll take action whatever meter you have.

My reply is the same as I posted,nothing to do with good or bad payers

The likelihood of demand outstripping supply in the near future on a regular basis is very possible,rationing of that demand may entail restricting availability either through varying tariffs at different times or even cutting the power to households if the problem becomes severe

 

[KEV 1 N]

So you are saying a situation where energy has to be rationed, may arise ?(similar to the 1970s power cuts)