Smart Meters?

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KeenCook
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Smart Meters?

Post by KeenCook »

Hello, I know there have been various comments/discussions about smart meters (gas and electricity) over time, but I would really like your advice!

When our energy company went bust, we were moved to Octopus, and they have emailed offering a smart meter.

Having just had my usual beached whale experience to read our meters, after moving everything out of the understairs cupboard first, it really gets harder and harder to get up again :oops: I am seriously wondering if smart meters would be a good idea!

What experience have you all had with them? Would you recommend? Or avoid at all costs!

Thanks.
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Stokey Sue
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Re: Smart Meters?

Post by Stokey Sue »

I had smart meters installed by Octopus in Feb 2021 as I found my previous meters (in the yard, above eye level) really hard to read

I was also worried about my gas meter which was more or less a museum piece,

Installation went smoothly, have had no problems with the meters or the in home monitor

Much prefer them
KeenCook
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Re: Smart Meters?

Post by KeenCook »

That's really good to know, Sue, and it's great that there's an in home monitor - that was something we were wondering about.

:thumbsup :thumbsup
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Smitch
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Re: Smart Meters?

Post by Smitch »

We got ours from Octopus last year and had no issues. Installation was really quick, although the internal display makes for depressing reading at the moment with energy prices being so high.
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northleedsbhoy
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Re: Smart Meters?

Post by northleedsbhoy »

When I moved to the village every company I looked at insisted on having a smart meter installed so I had to go with the flow so to speak. It doesn’t save money but it makes one look at how much they’re actually spending and it saves the hassle of someone coming round to physically read it especially if it’s inside.

If you get fed up with the reader you can always disconnect it, which friends have done, and they just check occasionally on the company’s app.

Cheers
NLB :thumbsup
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Stokey Sue
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Re: Smart Meters?

Post by Stokey Sue »

No, I don't have the display on all the time, it is just a little thing you plug in to a socket to power the display and it picks up the info from the meters
KeenCook
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Re: Smart Meters?

Post by KeenCook »

Well, it really does sound like a good move for us. Thanks all :thumbsup

Do they have to take out the existing meters and replace them, or is it an add-on?
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Stokey Sue
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Re: Smart Meters?

Post by Stokey Sue »

Complete replacement
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Suelle
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Re: Smart Meters?

Post by Suelle »

I have smart meters - I think things were getting to the stage of customers being charged at a higher tariff if they didn't have one fitted.

No regrets about the meters, but the indoor monitor didn't last very long. I can see how much gas I'm using, but the display for the electricity packed up a while ago.

I'm not too concerned about this, because there's nothing about my usage that I can alter - I make sure I do a full load of washing, don't use the dishwasher every day, and don't want to alter my cooking habits.
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Sloe-Gin
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Re: Smart Meters?

Post by Sloe-Gin »

We had ours installed by British Gas, but when we moved to Utility Warehouse, they said they'd have to replace them, which seemed rather a waste. However, because they were of a recent design, they were found to be compatible, so the changeover was very smooth.
Go for them, would be my advice.
KeenCook
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Re: Smart Meters?

Post by KeenCook »

I've responded and "registered my interest" ... now wait to hear!

Thanks so much, all, our community is so helpful :newhuggy
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Earthmaiden
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Re: Smart Meters?

Post by Earthmaiden »

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northleedsbhoy
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Re: Smart Meters?

Post by northleedsbhoy »

I think I’ve got mine set up to send daily readings but there were other options such as hourly and it didn’t bother me that they wanted that information. In this day and age technology is advanced enough to do that and every so often I check on my supplier’s app and it gives me an accurate reading of what I’ve used although I don’t think it includes the daily charge.

Downside of the first generation smart meters is that not all are compatible with other suppliers and I had to get mine changed when I moved in.

It wouldn’t surprise me if, in the not too distant future, smart houses will be built so there would be no option to not have them.

Not sure how water meters work but certainly since I had one installed in Leeds and the one that was already in this flat they know exactly how much I use and my DD is adjusted automatically.

Cheers
NLB :thumbsup
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Stokey Sue
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Re: Smart Meters?

Post by Stokey Sue »

I agree NLB - they are getting a lot of data, but it’s not anything that makes me worry about privacy, if anything it seems to be to my advantage that they can manage my bills and consumer demand
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Busybee
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Re: Smart Meters?

Post by Busybee »

We are in the odd position of being denied smart meters.

Evidently we live too close to a MOD establishment, which I could sort of believe when the RAF station was in service but it’s been unoccupied for over two years now (earmarked for a controversial refugee reception centre) and no flights for about three years. As the crow flies we are under two miles from the end of the runway.

I’m with octopus and they send a monthly reminder to send a meter reading which I do, and then I get an instant bill.

BB
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PatsyMFagan
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Re: Smart Meters?

Post by PatsyMFagan »

Busybee wrote: Sat Jul 16, 2022 9:14 am I’m with octopus and they send a monthly reminder to send a meter reading which I do, and then I get an instant bill.
I'm with Shell but was with someone else when I applied to have a meter fitted. It would be very convenient for me as I have to empty out my corner larder unit and virtually turn myself inside out to take a photo on my phone that I can read ! :( ... the gas one is under the stairs and easy peasy.
So, I applied for a meter, eventually settled on a date, a fitter came, took one look and said he couldn't fit the smart meter where it needed to go. Apparently I need to get a builder in to do something to the cupboard :?

Currently, like BB, I supply (with some effort) a reading each month once I get the reminder ..
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gillthepainter
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Re: Smart Meters?

Post by gillthepainter »

We have been resistant.
Our main concern is that Governments can control how much energy you have, and when. This is happening in Germany.

You are required to have a smart meter before you can have a car point now, with the view your usage can be limited or controlled.

Should this ever becomes a necessity to do so.
oat
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Re: Smart Meters?

Post by oat »

We moved into this house 4 years ago, brand new, and for the first year had to send readings for the gas as something wasn't compatible with something else (I didn't take a great deal of interest!) The meters are at the front of the house facing a fairly busy road and even though I'm only 5ft i still needed to be almost laid down to see the numbers they are so low down.

Think the neighbours opposite had a good laugh. :D
WWordsworth
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Re: Smart Meters?

Post by WWordsworth »

- I make sure I do a full load of washing,
I was horrified to see a single blouse in a friend's washing machine.
She said she wanted it for work the next day.
(Not a job requiring uniform)

I would have handwashed it.
KeenCook
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Re: Smart Meters?

Post by KeenCook »

Goodness, WW, absolutely, unless your machine is rather sophisticated and has several settings.
I think that the uber-expensive machines that have a hand wash/ silk programme, like Miele, are also able to assess the load and use the right amount of water etc. for very small amounts of laundry.
But even so, one item ....
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