QOTW: Do you have a smart energy meter?

[HEXUS]

And if so, how's it working out for you?

Read more.

[nar53]

No not me, do I need one?

[Wozza63]

Nope but I have switched to a 100% renewable electricity plan with Bulb!

In case anyone is interested, I have a referral link which gives us both £50 each in credit. https://join.bulb.co.uk/refer/kieran8271

(shameless )

[Millennium]

Not yet, but my mum has. Apparently, they don't yet work across providers until some kind of update coming soon (tm). She's not really using the smart stuff yet and I think it's only leccy.

[Saracen]

No, I don't have a smart energy meter, and unless legislation changes to make it mandatory, that is how it will stay.

[Wolfclaw]

I have the version 1 smart meter, called eyes and a brain to monitor usage, don't waat one, don't trust it or the energy companies !

[watercooled]

No, I don't have a smart energy meter, and unless legislation changes to make it mandatory, that is how it will stay.

I also see them as completely unnecessary gadgets, and dislike how companies seem to be effectively bullying people into getting them fitted against their will.

I already know how much energy appliances are using so thanks but no thanks!

[Wrinkly]

Nope.

[Corky34]

No, not ever and unless forced I'll never have one.

I don't see how knowing the amount of electricity I'm using is going to reduce my consumption, light don't get left on, neither do appliances (despite some not intended to be turned off at the wall).

[Phage]

Waiting for SMETS2

[adidan]

Nope. Don't need one. Use what energy we need and pay a bit extra to have a 100% renewable supplier.

I don't need a meter to constantly tell me how much i'm using.

[Saracen]

No, not ever and unless forced I'll never have one.

I don't see how knowing the amount of electricity I'm using is going to reduce my consumption, light don't get left on, neither do appliances (despite some not intended to be turned off at the wall).

Well, there are occasions that it helps. I found my old freezer was using WAY more power than it should. Turns out there was a fault.

I've long had two power meters. They aren't accurate to the degree that 'official' meters are, but eniugh for a gut feel. One is a plug-through for measuring plug-in individual devices and the other an inductive loop on the main house power supply.

I did gind going round checking everything quite useful. I also found a defective dimmer switch (2 gsng, 2-way) that was consuming more power when off, than on but low. I can't remember the quantity it used, but it was like having a light bulb (old incandescent type) on 24/7/365. And the cost adds up.

I now have the consumption tweaked to a practical minimum, keeping fridge, freezer, alarm clocks, devices on standby etc, and J understand the way the house .... works .... much better.


Which is part of why I don't need a smart meter.

Also, I got the hump with the electricity company trying to bully me into changing, telling me my meter is 'old' and needs to be replaced. When I got the first letter telling me that, thdir current meter (old, dumb type had been installed for less than 15 months. If that's "old", how long do they expect them to last?

Since then, I've had that same claim made by letter over a dozen times.

[Percy1983]

I have a smart and now numb meter, british gas fitted it, I did tell them I would be leaving in 3 months when my collective switch rate was over. it was nice not needing to look at it for 3 months.

What has annoyed me is the home receiver thing also stopped working, why?

[LSG501]

Yeah we've got one because it was supposed to help 'lower' the prices and our old one non smart one was playing up.... we're now looking for a new provider because it's pretty clear they're rigging the energy usage from it, although obviously it's hard/near impossible to prove it.

Started off with daily readings and our usage was fine and as low as we expect, once the mobile signal had been sorted (it was dodgy) we go down to 30 second readings iirc.... as soon as that happens our relative usage went up.

Midnight, no sun, same items on, can run cheaper than during the day (no solar due to say rain) with the exact same items on... fixed tariff so shouldn't make any difference to meter draw.
Also seen lower readings with more stuff on than when less stuff is active at a 'peak' time.... mentioned it to the energy company and well they just fob you off and say it's xyz which is a load of rubbish.

Seems we have to hit a 'certain value' per day for them to be happy, if not they speed up our usage and with us having solar it makes it harder to hit targets now we're coming into the sunny season.

Honest opinion, smart meters that connect to a box and tell you info without the need to go outside is fine, smart meters that have a sim card in and allow bi directional communication need to be regulated or banned as it's far too easy for them to rig the usage. Problem is the government want everyone on smart meters by 2020...

[adidan]

I have no issue spending 30 seconds leaving the house to read my meter once a month.

Saves on the energy used to make and power a meter.

[Rubarb]

No I don't have one, I don't use a smart phone (call me old fashioned but I don't want to be a zombie myself) ... was offered one a while back and said "NO!"
It's not the law yet and even if it becomes law I don't want one