Not so smart ttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

[Des 56]

Under the Government's £11bn smart meter programme every household in the UK will have been offered a device by 2020.

My own decision to never have one it is making me optimistic it is the right decision

Millions of smart meters installed in British households under the Government's flagship scheme may need to be replaced due to an IT bungle.

For the first time major energy suppliers have admitted that some of the 8 million "first generation" smart meters fitted in households are incompatible with a new nation al communications network, which links their systems to the devices.

A row has broken out after the government last night denied that the meters would need to be replaced.
The article rambles on

 

[Des 56]

Personally I think it's the biggest con going.
According to the government, we will all eventually have to use smart meters, whether we want them or not. Why should we be penalised for having them ?.

Apparently that is not the case,I believe a notice of non consent can be issued

Quote from Ofgem
"Smart meters aren’t compulsory and you can choose not to have one".

Smart meters: Your rights - https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/understand-smart-and-other-energy-meters/smart-meters-your-rights

 

[mache]

Had smart meter fitted in January. My usage has dropped as the local display just makes you aware of what your using. I have no idea why someone's standing charge would change from having a metre. That is based on your tarrif plan, so unless the smart metre was installed as part of a supplier switch. Also can,t under stand the overcharging aspect. I would contact supplier and double check

 

[Specialist]

The smart meter was installed at the request of the local energy supplier, stupidly she agreed.
According to the salesman, the tariff plan was changed to a lower tariff when the meter was installed.
The supplier has been contacted / informed and are apparently looking into it, however they say up to 28 days to resolve.

 

[mache]

Glad she is challenging it, sounds like an unscrupulous sales person rather than an issue with smart metering and that she inadvertently agreed to a change in tarrif. I always enjoy calls from companies saying they are going to save me money on gas or electric as when you question them on what are the standing charge rates and unit prices 99% can't give you an answer...lol
Hopes she gets resolution soon.

 

[Octopus]

We had a letter last year saying our meter was old and needed replacing .... A very long letter outlining the virtues of smart meters.... Plus a single line saying we didn't have to have one......so we have a shiny new dumb meter....

 

[dmxtothemax]

There is only one reason why they would want to introduce smart meters ?
Because it means more profit for them !
Now they can start charging you more for power during peak periods.
More profits for them means more money you will be paying.
Count on it,
The vast majority will end up paying more !

 

[Specialist]

We had a letter last year saying our meter was old and needed replacing .... A very long letter outlining the virtues of smart meters.... Plus a single line saying we didn't have to have one......so we have a shiny new dumb meter....

That made me smile, a shiny new dumb meter will do for me as well.
Maybe we should all start a let's keep dumb meters, movement.

Apologies for jumping down your throat the other day buddy, there was no need for it.

 

[Adie moore]

if something sound too good to be true then it's probably is. I'm just cynical I guess, but i don't believe for one second that energy companies are doing this to save their customers money, after all money you save is money they lose.

 

[Octopus]

If asked by customers about Smart meters, I always advise against having them.... until the providers can:

1. Prove they are accurate
2. You don't need a meter change when you want to change suppliers

Simples

Until then a shiny new "old" meter is the way to go.

 

[telectrix]

them what you could slow down with a magnet were the best.

 

[uksrevivor]

Had mine fitted this week its a good thing IMO as i can now see what im using and when the misses is in the shower i now know when to flick the mcb off at the board when shes using to much electric as it tells me how much its costing me LOL .
Maybe another reason for the install is to enable the suppliers to lay off loads of meter readers as they no longer need to read my meter or any others that have had smart meters installed.

 

[dmxtothemax]