Why don't we want a smart meter?

[ChimChimeny]

I've seen a lot of comments basically saying posters will never get a smart meter, but I don't know why!

I do monthly meter readings so sending usage automatically doesn't interest me but I'd like the box thing which shows how much we're using because we don't know which appliances are the most costly.

But what are the downsides??

Mine didn't work and I lost the ability to enter meter readings online too so ended up with no idea of actual usage and ended up in significant debt following the energy company's suggested payment plan.

Also, not sure if it's changed but some only worked for the energy provider who installed it. So if you move providers then you have a 'dumb meter'.

Control - Ability for energy company to control availability of energy.

I think you have to change meter if you change provider.

Always a chance it isn't accurate and given how difficult companies seem to find it to resolve anything these days I wouldn't want to chance it

It's easy to just provide a reading,?I can't think of any advantages

I don't understand the smart meter hate. I got one nine months ago, had no issues. Wish I got one sooner.

The ones installed now shouldn’t have a problem if you change providers. It’s fine I think people fear big brother is watching them.

I've read that people say that the provider can cut your supply off through the smart meter. And that they can use the data to adjust the prices when you are using more. Surge pricing it might be called although I might have made that up.

I've got one though.

It’s easy to read and provide readings which I do every month.

My sister reluctantly had one fitted and the monitor was never installed despite umpteen promises.

It ain’t broke so don’t fix it!

I live in a flat. Wifi doesn't reliably work in the meter cupboard and there is limited space in there. Neighbours who have had them installed find they don't work most of the time.
I don't see the point.

If smart meters were so smart then can you get accurate monthly bills from them instead of wildly inaccurate direct debit payments?

As computers frequently have blips and don’t work, I don’t trust them. It’s no problem for me to pop outside and put my reading into the app.

Do they remove your meters if you have a smart meter fitted ?

They removed my old one yes, it was inside a kitchen cupboard. The new one is much smaller.

I don’t understand the hate either. Providers treat customer readings as estimated and smart meters are accurate for both sides. They do not control supply or price and are an easy way to track daily, hourly or even live usage and cost. You don’t have to charge the meter if you switch supplier.

I only have an electric smart meter as there is no gas where I live.

Just had a smart metre fitted.

• in my house both the other metres have remained (but upgraded) so I can still see a reading on them
• the difference is now a unit display telling us how much using right now, daily, weekly etc. so much easier to budget daily and see what appliances cost more
• second generation smart meters are transferable to other suppliers
• pretty sure suppliers already know what your surge energy use is!

In summary, very happy and saving us money by being more aware as it’s ‘visible’.

It made a massive difference for me being able to see how much it was costing for each appliance. I use far less electricity now that I am aware of running costs.

My SMETS1 meter has now turned smart again after not working for years after changing provider, not sure how reliable those display things are but if they stop working you can replace it with a generic one that costs about £50, energy companies don't generally replace the monitor things if they stop working, mine seems to be ok but I had to use a different plug as I had lost the original one

I'm have my gas meter replaced on Friday but only because it is looks out of the ark, it has 1987 on it and I want a more modern one, it is in my understairs pantry cupboard. If I had a newer gas meter I wouldn't bother having it changed as it is easy to read and to submit readings, I'm surprised they haven't said to replace it before now, I requested a smart meter not BG so they are obviously not bothered it is old

You can.

It's just the energy company would prefer for you to pay in advance. So they can bulk buy energy in advance. Which is cheaper for them to do and in theory should pass a saving onto you as the customer.

I think they work by mobile phone signal rather than wifi, so probably if your mobile signal is poor that is why, though I don't know which mobile signal they use

Yes you can track usage without having to stick your head in the pantry cupboard/under stairs/cellar/outside to watch the numbers go round.

It also works to the consumer's benefit to pay a set amount each month instead of £10 in the summer and £600 in January.

Because experience tells us that lots of tech we are told is 'smart' or will make our lives easier quite often it does the opposite. It doesn't always work, it causes stress, you loose the ability to do something and hand the control to yet another big corporation who can gather data on your life and use it to make money.

I don't pay by direct debit. I use for a month and a bill is generated on the 1st which I pay on the app.

If you provide regular meter readings the same should apply

My daughter had one installed in her flat and her bills shot up. Nothing she could do about it. Fortunately it was a rental so she has moved.

There are also issues with health impacts though I am not clear what they are. I think it’s to do with the wifi. I know there were groups campaigning against them for that reason.

Slightly off topic, but interested to know which companies are happy to install upgraded gas and electric meters.
Despite vision and mobility problems Eon flatly refuse to upgrade my electric pre 1980s old fashioned dial meter I cannot read, our area isn't yet compatible for smart meter.