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Original poster

To think lots of people are dumb over smart meters

290 replies

InkedGreen · 18/09/2019 11:34

Fab little devices, we have ours on the kitchen table and is a great reminder to use less or to turn off stuff when we're not in the room. Showers make it go crazy and we've really cut down the shower lengths if not washing our hair

OP posts:
TheQueef · 18/09/2019 11:37

This is how dumb I am.
After being harassed to have it installed, three appointments.
A further appointment because it had sent an error code, I now have a smart meter.
Except it isn't because they don't have the hand held part so the meter is as dumb as me and I still have to read the sod.

Seeline · 18/09/2019 11:38

I don't need a meter to tell me if I am using something electrical, I am using electricity for which I am charged Confused

SmileCheese · 18/09/2019 11:39

I don't think people who don't want one are dumb. It works for you and your family and that's great but that doesn't mean if another family choose not to have one they are dumb.

For example I don't want to find myself having shorter showers just because someone is watching the smart meter go crazy. I already watch the pennies in many other ways and I don't need a smart meter to know to turn off lights and plug sockets.

Kaddm · 18/09/2019 11:40

Well my showers are as quick as possible due to dogs and kids. I know I use elec for washing clothes etc. I don’t need a meter to state the obvious!

inboxmayhem · 18/09/2019 11:40

Mine is so great, it actually doesn't work. Constant error code.

RedPanda2 · 18/09/2019 11:40

We were told it wouldn't work with our house anyway due to the signals. That's how dumb I apparently am

Monday55 · 18/09/2019 11:41

We are getting ours fitted today. SSE made it sound like it was compulsory only to hear on the news that it's not :/

inboxmayhem · 18/09/2019 11:41

Same @RedPanda2 .... I'm so dumb they couldn't install one.

Came back, gave me one that doesn't work.

Man I'm dumb Wink

aLilNonnyMouse · 18/09/2019 11:42

I can afford my bills being higher and I don't want that nagging feeling in the back of my head that I need to constantly hurry up because a box is telling me it costs more.

I'd rather live my life more relaxed and go at my own pace.

SmileCheese · 18/09/2019 11:43

We are getting ours fitted today. SSE made it sound like it was compulsory only to hear on the news that it's not

Cancel the appointment no one can force or coerce you into have one fitted if you don't want one. They are not going to stop providing you with utilities simply because you don't have a smart meter.

Blueoasis · 18/09/2019 11:45

Wasn't there an article out recently saying they aren't as good as claimed?

God knows but I don't need told how much power I'm using. It's quite obvious by what is running in the house. Switch stuff off that you aren't using. It's obvious isn't it?

LakieLady · 18/09/2019 11:45

I was supposed to be getting a smart meter, but the company installing them were too dumb to arrive in the morning as arranged and I had to go out in the afternoon, when they finally rocked up.

I rang them to rebook, and when they rang me back I was in the middle of talking to a client at work, so explained and asked them to call back after 3pm, by which time I'd be home.

That was about 6 weeks ago, and I'm still waiting.

PookieDo · 18/09/2019 11:46

As said on another thread I have one because it meant I could get off a prepayment meter

SmileCheese · 18/09/2019 11:47

Switch stuff off that you aren't using. It's obvious isn't it?

Of course it is but apparently you are dumb if you don't have an infantilising box telling you to unplug the hairdryer now you have finished with it. Hmm

Shmithecat2 · 18/09/2019 11:47

I'm one of those terrible people who use electricity when they feel like it and don't need a smart meter to make them turn things off/down etc.

99problemsandjust1appt · 18/09/2019 11:47

I hate ours I try so hard to save energy and that little shit of a box will randomly go to red after I’ve turned things off
I can’t work out why no matter what i do the bill isn’t reducing

I’m wondering if our old oven is the issue 🤔 I have a slow cooker maybe that would be more energy efficient?

Her0utdoors · 18/09/2019 11:48

I'm a total thicko because I don't want to have something that consumes energy (and energy and resources we're used it's manufacturer) to tell me how to use less energy.

FrowningFlamingo · 18/09/2019 11:48

I used to live in a flat with one of those horrible prepaid keys and you could see the money move down faster if you used the tumble dryer etc. It didn’t tell us anything we didn’t know.
Arguably people who are surprised that using things that use energy adds to their energy use and bills are the dumb ones Grin
Might be a useful visual aid for children I suppose.

SistersOfMerci · 18/09/2019 11:48

I was very excited when I first got one but now a couple of years almost down the line and I look at it maybe once a week and at the end of the month because I get a delicious sense of satisfaction that I'm still under budget.

It's besides the point that I overpay on my direct debit so if we feel like splashing out we can without worry Grin

PumpkinP · 18/09/2019 11:51

I think they are great. No more having to go to the shop to top up

gowgow · 18/09/2019 11:54

It won't stop DH boiling a kettle full of water for 1 cup of tea, so I won't bother.

Skyejuly · 18/09/2019 11:54

I am still refusing one.

LondonJax · 18/09/2019 11:57

As I'm one of those people who completely ignore technology telling me to do something, I can't see the point of them at the moment. I understand they're to help work out when renewable energy needs are likely to be higher etc but they're being sold as 'they can tell you when you're using too much electricity'.

Well as I have a brain in my head that has managed to say 'turn the light off in the kitchen because you're going into the living room now, or cut the shower down to 5 minutes from 10 because it's using electricity and water' I can't see the point of them as they're being sold now. Just another gadget gathering dust and becoming a PITA.

SmileCheese · 18/09/2019 11:57

I am still refusing one.

Me too I just don't see how it will benefit me in any way shape or form. It sounds great for those who can use it to get off prepayment meters. However, if you already pay for your utilities by direct debit and give meter readings as requested and know leaving things plugged in whilst not being used will waste electricity I don't see why a smart meter would be useful.

bluegirlgreen · 18/09/2019 12:02

Do you work for British gas or some other big energy company @InkedGreen ???

You do seem to be massively promoting smart meters, which have been proven to be shit, faulty, unnecessary, or generally pointless.

(Or ALL of the above!)

You are either trying to promote them, or you have been brainwashed, and are more 'dumb' than anyone who refuses to have one.

I have coped quite nicely for almost 50 years without one, and SHOCKER, I have kept track of my gas and electric!

Crack on with your shitty smart meter. Many of us can cope perfectly well without one! Wink

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