Smart meters - they're a bit crap aren't they ?

[SerendipityJane]

To no ones surprise

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq52382zd1no

You can just say you don't know if you want. There's no need to waste time not answering my questions and exasperating the both of us.

If anyone wants to be wary of smart meters it's the bollocks they were spinning trying to sell them.

Me: "If a smart meter can 'save me money' then I want one for my water supply too."
Them: "When we say 'save money' we didn't mean like that"
Me: "What's the other way then ?"
Them "Well you can know what's using electricity and turn it off"
Me: "I don't need a meter for that."
Them: "But they save you money".

That was when I totally lost interest - bearing in mind I'd already rumbled net zero as a crock.

How can I answer that? I don't remember hearing any such claims. Do you have any evidence? Live cost display was always touted as one of the most useful benefits of smart meters, and I think any reasonable person would assume the supplier would need to transmit up-to-date tariff information to the meter in order for this feature to work, and update it as necessary.

And, how can I answer that? I don't why suppliers have chosen to hound people if their meter isn't due for replacement. Obviously they're trying to meet their targets, but they shouldn't use that approach. Anyone in that position should make a formal complaint to stop it happening.

And oh, but you don't have to read the meter 3 times a year, and log into your account and send the reading! That can save you ummmm, 3-5 minutes a year!
Woweeeeee! 😏

I would rather 'waste' 3-5 minutes a year taking my own readings and entering them onto my online account, than have the ridiculous faff of a smart meter that is hugely likely to pack up/break down, and send incorrect readings, leaving my finances in a muddle, and my account with a huge amount owing! They can also switch your power off remotely if you have smart meters as they have complete control.

And nope, they DO NOT save you money.

And some people can't use them because of sketchy internet connection. I live in a rural village, and don't have a great signal, but I know people on the 3rd floor of a block of flats who had a smart meter, and it never worked - ever! Apparently because of the ropey signal!

They can shove them where the sun don't shine. I will NEVER have smart meters. The fact that they fuck up so often means they will never be mandatory. (I doubt it anyway.)

Lots of misinformation here.

A smart meter will never send incorrect readings. The supplier will receive the correct readings, or nothing at all. You can also read your smart meter manually, as often as you like, and even submit readings yourself, if you prefer.

They will not switch off your power remotely. Any government which did this would be bounced out of office so fast their heads would spin, as Edward Heath found to his cost.

They absolutely can save you money, for example with a time-of-use tariff.

They don't use the household internet connection. They have their own dedicated network.

They will not switch off your power remotely. Any government which did this would be bounced out of office so fast their heads would spin, as Edward Heath found to his cost.

I have less faith than you in the Great British Public. If you told them it was only immigrants, and disabled people that would be affected it would be positively welcomed with open arms.

Suppliers are private concerns, in the business of making a profit. If they cut you off, you're not buying anything from them, so they earn no profit. Like any company, they hate that, so it's not in their interest to do it.

And yet - as discussed in this thread - suppliers (like the country) have to do the governments bidding. Even if it costs them.

But why would the government ever consider cutting people off, for the purposes of reducing pollution or encouraging less waste or whatever silly reasons are being talked about? Such a move would be wildly unpopular, and likely to result in seriously harming or even killing people. It just wouldn't happen, and to say it would is scaremongering.

You are aware that your power can be switched off remotely whether you have smart meters or not?

Also why on earth would your power just be switched off remotely for no reason. People are ridiculous sometimes.

Tell me about it. It's like banging your head against a brick wall.

Who said it was for no reason ?

Also - and this is probably a really good way to live your life - it's best not to assume things will be tomorrow like they are today. Because "events, dear boy, events".

Now whether or not that is a reasonable, or compelling reason for distrust of the Battle For Smart Meters is up for debate (which we seem to be having 😀). But I wouldn't ascribe it a non-zero probability of happening.

There are probably people who have declined smart meters because they don't come in Farrow & Ball colours.

So you don't know. Thats all you had to say.

It's been a gradual drip of extra info. Threads from a couple of years ago were scoffing that smart meters would give the ability to switch off your supply remotely. Yet here we are.

The point that people miss repeatedly is no company should have that kind of power. Whether they can legally use it or not. Govements don't spend that kind of money and push something so hard for our benefit.

Again, you’re avoiding my question. Do you have proof that smart meters were advertised as having only 1-way communication? How does that square with the promised live cost feature?

It’s always been known that smart meters have an in-built isolator. See Big Clive’s smart meter teardown video on YouTube. Suppliers have always had the power to disconnect households, just not remotely, on an individual basis. They won’t because, as I mentioned, they’re in the business of selling energy at a profit, not rationing it.

The government spends an enormous amount of money on the NHS, roads, railways, water supplies, schools etc. It pushes them pretty hard too. Are they not for our benefit either? Relying on gas for our electricity generation, when gas prices have gone through the roof, is certainly not for our benefit, so what is your solution?

Thankfully have managed to avoid having one despite the harassment from my energy company.

Ha none at all - an expensive monopoly who don't invest in infrastructure.

The irony of you calling my post a load of misinformation. Every part of your post here is a load of made up nonsense. 😆

Nice try, but I will NEVER have smart meters no matter how much you try to gaslight me! Not having it. Don't believe a word mate.

They are an abomination!

You seem obsessed with insisting smart meters are the best thing since sliced bread @VeritableChestnut Why is that? 😑

You're convincing no-one.

None of it is made up. If you’re in area with poor mobile reception, and you send a text message, is it delivered to the recipient as garbled nonsense? Of course not, it’s either received intact or not at all. Same goes for smart meters. Don’t be so ridiculous. I understand that you don’t like smart meters but there’s no need to tell lies.

Also, like so many on here, you’re using the term gaslighting incorrectly. I am not making you doubt your grip on reality, for the purpose of causing a mental breakdown. I’m discussing the merits and demerits of smart meters.

Nope, I can understand why people can choose to take them or leave them. For me, the main benefit is a cheaper tariff. What I do get fed up of is reading all the misinformation and lies that are spouted about them.

😂

😂

Why do you care? Are you married to a smart meter or something? You're taking the smart meter bashing so personally. So odd! 😆

Why do YOU care if people call them shite (which they are!)

Are you OK hun? Serious question.