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Original poster

Boring but am I the only person left that doesn't have a smart meter?

153 replies

Sparklingbrook · 06/02/2021 16:00

SSE are bombarding me with letters and phone calls about getting someone around to fit one.
What's in it for me? And what does it entail to have one fitted? We currently have the two cupboards with doors with a little key for Gas and Electricity and the meters are inside.

I have little interest in seeing exactly what we're using, it's always the same and we do everything we can to not waste energy.

OP posts:
gingerninja99 · 06/02/2021 16:40

I don't have one but did in my last house, no issues with it once up and running however the install caused a gas leak under the concrete floor and all my gas pipes had to be replaced and we have not heating or hot water for over a week in a very chilly and frosty December with two small children. I wouldn't get one again just because I'm bloody stubborn and wouldn't trust the install to be safely done

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 06/02/2021 16:41

@NewSummer

There are some previous threads on this with all the very good reasons why you should not get a smart meter. Including posts from people who work in the industry!
I am sure there are but I started a new one in case some brand new information has come to light in the last few weeks or something meaning it was a no brainer to have one fitted. Seems not. Grin
OP posts:
NovemberR · 06/02/2021 16:42

I don't want one. I keep ignoring letters. Didn't realise they didn't always transfer, so that's a good enough reason not to, in my book.

My main reason for refusing was that the suppliers were SOOO keen to fit one that I assumed it benefitted them rather than the customer, if I'm honest.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 06/02/2021 16:42

@gingerninja99

I don't have one but did in my last house, no issues with it once up and running however the install caused a gas leak under the concrete floor and all my gas pipes had to be replaced and we have not heating or hot water for over a week in a very chilly and frosty December with two small children. I wouldn't get one again just because I'm bloody stubborn and wouldn't trust the install to be safely done
What does the installation entail? At the moment both meters (that came with the house when it was built in the 80s) are outside in their respective cupboards.
OP posts:
EngTech · 06/02/2021 16:43

Nope, still don’t trust the technology plus heard of too many installation horrors

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 06/02/2021 16:43

@EngTech

Nope, still don’t trust the technology plus heard of too many installation horrors
Are we talking drilling and cabling? Sad
OP posts:
Starlightstarbright1 · 06/02/2021 16:45

I had a new meter. It reads the economy 7 and normal readings backwards. Makes it tricky when i change company.. i have no plans to have some other problem

DinosaurDiana · 06/02/2021 16:45

Apparently they will eventually push the price up for those of us without smart meters, so we will be forced onto one.
A bit like banks charging you for paper statements.

Pinkflipflop85 · 06/02/2021 16:45

We got one a few years back. It broke within 6 months and was never replaced. Useless piece of crap.

Bluetrews25 · 06/02/2021 16:46

Don't smart meters themselves actually use energy? So if you had one fitted, and used all the same appliances for the same amount of time you would burn more energy than before as you were now powering the meter as well?
Save energy, fit a smart meter??? Hmm
How about save energy, turn something off?

redfairylights · 06/02/2021 16:47

No. They work on the mobile network so if you don't have a mobile signal they can't install one. I finally relented and let them send someone to try and install one but he just turned up, said "sorry, it won't work here" and left. They haven't bothered me since. When we have. reliably mobile signal I will think about it.

chomalungma · 06/02/2021 16:49

Don't smart meters themselves actually use energy

About 1000 watts per year

BunnyRuddington · 06/02/2021 16:50

I don't have one either. Last time Scottish power calked asking me to have one I asked them what was in it for me apart from being able to see consumption a little more clearly. Poor chap couldn't come up with a single benefit.

Chasingsquirrels · 06/02/2021 16:53

I had constant emails & letters through my last contract to get one fitted, which I'd apparently signed up to in the T&C (opps). I just ignored them. Last letter I had said my meter was obsolete and had to be changed for safety reasons. As I was just about out of contract and switching I didn't follow up on that and assumed new provider (purposely chose one which wasn't compulsory SM, although also the cheapest tariff) would if it was necessary - they haven't. House is about 20 years old.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 06/02/2021 16:53

I told today's lady from SSE who rang the landline just as I stepped in from work that it wasn't a good time to speak. I was actually holding the post I picked up on the way in which included a postcard from SSE telling me what dates I could have my meter fitted. Hmm
She's ringing back but I know the number now so won't be answering.

OP posts:
Wendyhause · 06/02/2021 16:57

No smart meter for me either! Last year I gave in to the nagging from Scottish Power and agreed for a young man (ooh) to come along and fit a meter. My building is old and my meters and wiring are working fine but ideally need updating. The electrician did an inspection and informed me he could not fit a smart meter with my existing set up (two meters for day and night usage). Off he went.
I wasn't bothered to be honest but contacted S>Power and told them what he said. They said he definitely COULD have fitted a meter but I replied that "I am happy not having one and as it is not compulsory can we just forget it" to which which they said fine.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 06/02/2021 16:59

I am really happy with SSE too, apart from all this smart meter nonsense. I will just have to ghost them. Grin

OP posts:
jellybeanteaparty · 06/02/2021 17:01

We had one fitted ( 2 hours) but the phone signal was not strong enough to work so they took it out again straight away (2 hours ) ! They are still calling and trying to make appointments to fit one and even though I explain every time and ask for it to be noted somewhere they still want to fit another...argggg

AnneElliott · 06/02/2021 17:01

No we don't have one and I won't be getting one either.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 06/02/2021 17:02

I’m not getting one too many horror stories of surging prices

Hagotcha80 · 06/02/2021 17:02

What’s the benefits?

I like my company (bulb), it takes me 5 seconds to submit meter reading on my app.

Job done

zigaziga · 06/02/2021 17:05

No.

It’s very annoying as they pester me constantly but then when they come round to try (I think we’re on attempt number 3) they can’t fit it as it relies on Bluetooth and there is no signal by our electricity box in a very old house with thick, stone walls. They explain this, I say fine, then two months later they’re back phoning me. Angry

UseOfWeapons · 06/02/2021 17:08

I don’t have one.
When I had a new boiler, they offered one, and I accepted, but due to lack of availability, they never installed it.
Like you, OP, I’m not sure what benefit it would confer, as I never waste energy, and use about the same in each seasonal quarter, year on year.
If I had a tumble dryer, I might change my mind!

Rillington · 06/02/2021 17:09

We tried to have one after constant harassment from Eon. It was a complete palaver. The first guy said we needed a new electric transformer as our old one wasn't up to safety standards. Then we had to ring our electricity company to arrange this.

Then that was changed and then the next engineer came out. Our gas pipes were too narrow. He made a big deal of issuing us a condemnation order saying we couldn't have one. We didn't want one in the first place.

I just tell them now we can't have one. We have since had the gas pipes changed when we had a new boiler. I don't tell them that though.

Wendyhause · 06/02/2021 17:10

Just to add I have an online account with Scottish Power and when prompted I take my own readings, submit them and within a minute they have updated my bill and payment requirements. No need to speak to a human and no paper bills ever.
I have instant access to my whole history of usage and payments with them. Why would I want a smart meter? I am not stupid and know how to economise if I want or need to.

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