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Original poster

Do I need a Smart Meter?

83 replies

LucilleBluth · 20/08/2019 13:02

I've just switched to British Gas and they're telling me that to get the cheapest tariff I need a smart meter.

I don't like the idea....am I being a Luddite?

OP posts:

EcocabbyRickShaw · 20/08/2019 14:02

No you're not. A smart meter brings no practical advantages to you at all, hence why they're trying to bribe you to have it installed. All the benefits are for them. It's up to you whether you think the bribe's worth it or not, of course.

EcocabbyRickShaw · 20/08/2019 14:03

If you search for smart meters in the advanced search option you should find there have been a few threads about them on here, and they may help you decide....

Mandalorian · 20/08/2019 14:07

I'm changing energy suppliers in the next few weeks, we initially went with a company who then pointed out we'd agreed to a smart meter in the small print. Fortunately we've been able to put it off repeatedly and now we're at the end of our term.
I've been using the MSE Energy calculator and then tweeting the companies to find out if they will insist on a smart meter and the current favourite do not.

fortheloveofPete · 20/08/2019 14:12

Can you read your meter?
Can you put a reading in online?
Can you put a monthly reminder on your phone to do it?

If the answer is yes to the above, then you really, really don't need one.

AnneLovesGilbert · 20/08/2019 14:15

We got one recently and I’m morbidly fascinated by it now. If you see what you’re actually using you think twice about leaving lights on and using the tumble dryer

I still use it, I’ve got a dribbly baby and do a load most days, but the meter is mounted on the wall by the stairs and it’s there, judging me, so bare that in mind!

PanamaPattie · 20/08/2019 14:17

No you don't need one. No advantage for you.

gamerchick · 20/08/2019 14:22

I had the same issue when renewing my tariff recently. The bloke tried to tell me that in order to get this tariff I had to agree to a smart meter. I wiped the floor with him I was so cross about it. (I did apologise). He's put a note on my file not to mention smart meters to me again, ring me or send out 'appointments' I hadn't made.

I think they will be made compulsory at some point but until then they can fuck off.

Pinktulipsarethebest · 20/08/2019 14:24

No you dont need one. Anyone who has a normal meter can see how much they are using, that's what meters DO!!

Mandalorian · 20/08/2019 14:28

A work colleague moved to a new house and had a smart meter fitted within days of moving in.
The following morning the meter read she'd used about £400 of electricity overnight.
The company admitted the meter was faulty but because she'd just moved in had no idea how much gas and electricity she'd actually used. Took them ages to replace the meter and find an acceptable figure for what they had used.

Another factor for me is the mobile signal is pretty diabolical where I am so I don't fancy it's chances of being very 'smart' as it won't get a signal.

Piffpaffpoff · 20/08/2019 14:30

DH works in the electricity industry and refuses to have one - they are entirely for the benefit of the business, not the consumer.

CoolcoolcoolcoolcoolNoDoubt · 20/08/2019 15:00

IMHO I think the benefit of always having accurate bills offsets having to be in the house for a couple of hours whilst a smartmeter is installed.

ohdearmymistake · 20/08/2019 15:02

Do you think if they were a huge benefit to the customer (and not the provider) they would be pushing them as much.

Do you really need a metre to tell you to be sensible with how much electricity you use, it's not rocket science really.

coconuttelegraph · 20/08/2019 15:13

Anyone who has a normal meter can see how much they are using, that's what meters DO!!

That's a huge oversimplification, I don't have a smart meter, if I want to know how much I'm spending i need to find the meter box key, go outside, move the bush that's in front of the meter box, clear away the cobwebs inside, make a note of the reading, go back inside, get out my previous meter reading, my tariff details and my calculator. How can you compare that to a glance at a meter to see your real time usage?

While the majority of benefit might be for the supplier it's clearly not true to say there's no benefit at all to a consumer who wants extra information to help keep costs down. I know that the meters can be unreliable and non transferable but imo metering as a concept is a good one and once th teething problems are sorted out I'd have one

fruitbrewhaha · 20/08/2019 15:17

Why don't you want one?
My supplier don't provide it as yet, I'm looking forward to getting one.

coconuttelegraph · 20/08/2019 15:18

Knowing how much you use might not be rocket science to you but I bet for huge numbers of consumers it is ohdear , anything that helps reduce the use of non renewable energy has to be a good thing, it's not about you and your knowledge of the consumption rates of different app!fiancee or heating systems it's about the population as a whole

Pinktulipsarethebest · 20/08/2019 15:22

Of course it's not the same coconut, but the adverts that say you jeed a smartmeter to know how much you are using are very misleading. A normal meter does tell you how much you are using plus you really don't need a screen on the wall to tell you that your lights and washing machine are on and, using electricity!

The "Gaz and Leccy" adverts claim that with a smart meter you are "in control " , well, even without one I am still in control of my switches and appliances!

theydontknowweknow · 20/08/2019 15:25

We've recently had one fitted because all the cheapest tariffs meant we had to get one. I was against it but saves having to remember to go out and get the meter readings each month, other than there, there isn't really a benefit, just makes me want to cry when I boil my kettle

guessmyusername · 20/08/2019 15:32

I had a smart meter installed a couple of years ago. No need to check meter readings etc etc. I didn't even check my bills until recently. I discovered that my gas has estimated readings for the last 6 months. I contacted them to find out why (not very easy - spoke to 3 different departments before I spoke to the right one). They told me to press this button and then that button and they eventually said I think you have a problem with your meter, we will need to send an engineer out. 4 weeks for an appointment. Well the engineer came today and had to replace the outdoor meter. Would I do it again? No not worth the hassle

Original poster

LucilleBluth · 20/08/2019 15:41

Well I've got an appointment booked for mid September. We are a busy house, a family of five with two teenagers with computers in their rooms etc. It's going to turn me into a moaning bastard isn't it, the new Jim Royle 😭

OP posts:

YouLookGood · 20/08/2019 15:46

Look into the real reasons that the companies want you to get a smart meter. Frankly anyone who signs up for one is a fool!

scaryteacher · 20/08/2019 15:46

I am dead set against them. It's no hardship to read the bloody meter when the bill is due and bang the reading in online, especially as I don't have to go outside to do so.

These are not for the benefit of the consumer by any means.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 20/08/2019 15:49

If you ever want to change energy companies in the future, your smart meter will be redundant. They aren’t universal and they don’t work with other providers.

No point until they are universal and there’s some benefit to you.

IamtheOA · 20/08/2019 15:53

( I have an engineer here right now, as we speak. I'm looking forward to feeling bad about my energy consumption)

Lamentations · 20/08/2019 15:54

I had them fitted at my last house. I waited in all day twice for two missed appointments (British Gas) and then they caused damage during the installation. No benefit whatsoever to me. I utterly refuse to swap my meters in my current house.

Lamentations · 20/08/2019 15:55

And the plug in monitor thing is just depressing... while using even more electricity 🤔

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