Time to get a smart meter?

[Fordian]

I've resisted to date because to date, I frankly don't trust the government from allowing energy companies to analyse your chief usage time and bump up your unit costs on a household by household basis, to maximise profits. Especially since I gather that once you have one, you're stuck with it.

But- should I now?

Usually the choice with a smart meter is half hourly, daily or monthly to submit readings, I think.

I had a note from my supplier saying they were to be mandated from next year, so I'm assuming RG switch will be inevitable at some point. Also deciding here when to do it.

*the switch

I’m resisting as long as possible, and now sending in readings monthly.

I personally wouldn't get one unless I absolutely have too, with the cost of energy it would give me constant anxiety monitoring it and be worrying about how much I am actually using, we try to be a lot more careful (hard with teenagers) so that's the best I can do plus we are going to invest in new double glazing and insulate the loft better

I know smart meters send the readings themselves @XenoBitch (), but this is changing from monthly to daily, as was reported in the news yesterday @LynetteScavo

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/changes-smart-meters-next-month-23600303.amp

At the moment, information about your energy usage can be sent once a month as a default - but Ofgem wants to change this so that data is sent to suppliers every 30 minutes. The change means your smart meter will send out updates, and change your energy prices, as much as 48 times a day.

they came to fit mine, but for some reason could not, now they keep ringing and when i try and book online there is no one available to fit one and when they ring and I say Yes, they can go no further!

Our usage has almost halved since we got ours, and the worst part is we’ve barely noticed the difference in what we do day to day.

@OhMyDays22

The first step to 'on demand pricing' has already been made - have you seen today's news articles about people with smart meters will have to submit daily readings?

Then it'll be morning / afternoon / evening, then it'll be hourly...

Wherever that is from, it is complete bollocks. Smart meters can be read remotely by the energy supplier. That is a large part of the point of having them.

You can, of course, supply readings too.

I recommend having one. We've had ours a couple of years now and it certainly makes you very aware of how much electricity you are using, and makes you think how much of that may be unnecessary. I like the display in the house. I don't find it anxiety inducing, just informative.

We also have solar panels and a battery so don't always use much during the day. For us it pays to run major appliances during the day if possible because of that. I do appreciate that not everyone has that option though and we were only able to do it with government grants.

Either way if you get one or don't get one you will pay for what you have used.

They are quite fascinating in a morbid kinda way