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Original poster

Should I change over to energy smart meters?

20 replies

Boobahs · 04/09/2021 11:41

Just changed over to a different supplier to get a cheaper dual tariff deal. They are now bombarding me with messages, firstly in texts saying that I agreed to change as part of my new tariff, followed by emails that say I agreed to be contacted about swapping.

Should I change over anyway? Will it be a big difference in price, we are on a tight budget already. Anyone have any experience or comments?

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 04/09/2021 13:15

Is it in your new tariff T&Cs

MondeoFan · 04/09/2021 13:20

Noooooooo

Hellocatshome · 04/09/2021 13:25

Even if you agree it will be months or even years before they actually come and install it they are way way behind in terms of rolling them out.

VeganVeal · 04/09/2021 13:36

Some people seem to think they are they work of the devil but I've not had any issues, if fact you can see how much energy you're using and the cost. I can see how its going to cost you anymore???

The tin foil hatters think the government will use them to limit or turn off your energy if there is a fuel crisis and I am sure lots of other big brother things

Horehound · 04/09/2021 13:39

I organised my grandparents smart meter Installation and it was done with the month so I don't know what the pp is going on about?

I was always against them but for no particular reason. I then just moved house in Feb and have both gas and leccy smart meters and think they are absolutely fine. Saves me a job doing a reading.
I don't use the boxes that show your usage or anything, you dont need them for your meter to do the readings although I'm not sure many people realise this.

There's nothing wrong having them..

Horehound · 04/09/2021 13:40

Also, we are all absorbing the cost of the smart meters now anyway so doesn't make a difference. There's no peak/off peak unit rates any more..

Hellocatshome · 04/09/2021 13:42

I organised my grandparents smart meter Installation and it was done with the month so I don't know what the pp is going on about?

Was this recently? The people I work for who are installing smart meters are months behind schedule and thats for people who need a new meter not just people who would like a new meter.

Hellocatshome · 04/09/2021 13:42

There's no peak/off peak unit rates any more.. yes there is.

Horehound · 04/09/2021 13:44

Yes it was just in july @Hellocatshome

Horehound · 04/09/2021 13:44

It was SSE who did it just if your interested!

Horehound · 04/09/2021 13:45

@Hellocatshome

There's no peak/off peak unit rates any more.. yes there is.

Are there?! Cause I spent a long time looking at tarrifs for myself, my gran and my gran and grandad and not one of the tarriffs offered that.

Hellocatshome · 04/09/2021 13:46

@Horehound some areas are obviously coping a lot better than others. Anyway to answer the question yes I would have a smart meter in a heartbeat (if I could get a bloomin installation appointment) if possible ask for a version 2 not a version 1 as they will retain their smart functionality when you change supplier. The 1st version ones lose their ability to send meter reads direct to your supplier if you change supplier. You can still take them manually though.

Hellocatshome · 04/09/2021 13:48

@Horehound you have to have an economy 7 meter to get the tariff and no one will install them anymore so of you have one you can have the day/night tariff if you dont you can't. Also certain suppliers will not take you on with an Economy 7 meter. But they do exist.

Horehound · 04/09/2021 13:53

Yes that's right, I knew about the Gen 1 v's Gen 2 thing.

And that makes sense about economy 7 as I don't have that so never clicked on those options :)

MouseholeCat · 04/09/2021 14:01

I don't understand the dislike for them, other than the generation issue. It made billing seamless and it was easier to reduce energy use because we could see live useage.

Original poster

Boobahs · 04/09/2021 14:02

@dementedpixie

Is it in your new tariff T&Cs

All it says in the T&Cs is:

"2 Smart meters
1.3.3 We may contact you at any time to offer you a Smart meter. We will arrange an appointment with you for the installation of this. If you repeatedly refuse to allow us to install a Smart Meter, you may not be eligible for our full range of products and services, which may include specific Smart Meter tariffs which may be cheaper."

OP posts:

Original poster

Boobahs · 04/09/2021 14:07

To be honest, I don't really understand them but I'm not a tin hatter or anything like that 🤣 I'm just worried in case we end up paying a lot more each month as we'd struggle with any more monthly expenses.

OP posts:

caughtinanet · 04/09/2021 14:10

It doesn't say you have to have one in what you've posted so if you don't want one there isn't an issue

NannyGythaOgg · 04/09/2021 16:10

Once (nearly) everyone is on Smart Meters it will be possible to change charges per unit through the day
For example they may have Peak Use hours (maybe 7am until 9am and 5pm until 7pm, Medium rate for during the day and later evening and cheapest overnight.

Currently though I think the government pay the suppliers a bonus for every one they install which is why they push them.

Ariela · 04/09/2021 16:38

The only reason not to install one is if you have crap phone signal where your meter is. I repeatedly say yes provided you can install a phone signal booster (as no mobile works in our kitchen where the meter is) and they do not hear anything beyond the word 'yes' > so I get put through to the installations department.... When I say they will have to install a mobile phone signal booster they never do want to arrange to come.

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