Why are people suspicious of smart meters?

[ilkleymoorbartat]

We're thinking of getting one, but there seems to be such a mix of opinions. People who are against them, can you explain why?

Most of the problems that are coated seemed to have been with the first generation of meters and not the new ones.

Can you explain why you want one?

Apologies that I am suspect of such a post when the energy companies are so very keen to get them installed.

I've just got one and I like it so far. I resisted for quite a while purely because the energy company were being so pushy and it made me suspicious.
I've had it a week and it's helpful to see where my major energy "spends" are so that I can hopefully keep my bills down.
I'm Interested in why some people object to them though as I'm not really aware of the wider politics around them.

We got one about a year ago. Advantages have been no more estimated bills which seemed to wildly over estimate my use which I guess was based on two years of maternity leave. Once I was back at work our daytime electricity bills dropped down again. Our electricity meter is inside our house as well so when we had to have readings it was a pain in the arse waiting for the meter reader. I also am probably more aware of just how much the electric shower costs when my kids decided to take a 20 minute shower. And also how much the standing charge packs on to my bills each day even with no other use happening.
Disadvantages haven't been any that I can see. Other than the cable is ridiculously short so the monitor falls over all the time and ends up lost under the sofa .
I guess if you are a meter reader it's pretty shit as you will lose your job eventually.

I was concerned that smart meters would allow companies to introduce dynamic pricing whereby they would increase unit prices at times of high demand.
Looks like I wasn’t far out because I’ve read recently that it is likely that people who don’t use (much) power at peak times will get a discount when use power at less busy times.
Pretty much the same thing.

@MrsRobinsonsHandprints I'm actually not desperate to get one at all. But we're terrible at giving meter readings so would help with that. Other than that I guess I'd be interested to know where we're wasting money, but an equally concerned it's going to make us neurotic which seems to be a side effect too.

I guess ultimately unless there's some big reason that I'm personally missing, then it might make the admin of our gas and electric marginally easier.

I'm not from an my energy company I promise!!!!

Learned on a thread yesterday that some people think they can be used to switch the power off 🤔

I got one installed last year because I have Economy 7 and kept getting letters saying I had to get a smart meter for it. I find it quite useful tbh.

I don't really 'get' the scepticism either. I had one put in in Oct 2020, but it doesn't work for gas (they can't commission it properly apparently, so it's useless) and although they're getting accurate readings for electricity, the in home display bit doesn't pick them up, so we don't get the benefit of being able to see how much we're using/understand our consumption etc. So we're getting accurate bills but nothing beyond that. I would love for it to be working properly.

I don't like anything that gives somebody else power over something I need. In the case of smart meters the energy companies can control things. Experience tells me that when you give a group of people/companies lots of power they tend to use it to their benefit.

Additionally my understanding is that if you move provider your old smart meter doesn't work and they have to fit a new one. How long before they start charging?

It takes me a few seconds to send my meter readings in and it encourages me to keep on eye on usage.

Currently there are at least two threads a week posted with this question.

advanced search is your friend, OP.

I can't see how that's helpful. You know if you have switched a light or the washing machine on, so you know when you are using electricity.

.The adverts say that with a smart meter you are "in control" of your usage. Well, you always have been!

Dont trust them. Why cant I just input my meter readings? Tariffs can easily be changed instantly on smart meters, turned off etc.
Theres also the chance of them being hacked etc.
The biggest reason though is I'm so pissed off with suppliers telling me I must have a smart meter fitted and either booking appointments themselves or stalking me by letter, text, calls.

Also, it's such a waste to throw away meters that still work!

The second generation are meant to be inter changeable with different providers. So I have held off for them.
i am not thrilled about knowing how much a cup of tea costs or dinner to make. If I can’t afford the bills I will cut down. But if I know how much it will cost it will stop me eating and drinking.

I am not suspicious but for me I don't see the point. I find it easy to send in regular readings and there is only me at home. If something is on I know its on and want it on. I understand that the meters are so far not standardised and don't cover all suppliers so can add to the complications of switching supplier....also anecdotally there still seems to be a problem with getting accurate bills and the benefit always seems to eb to the supplier. Eventually I will get one I suppose but I am in no hurry.

I worry that it can be used to switch people to prepayment credit.
I have one by default because my old meter was cracked but I like paying exactly what I've used in arrears.

Because it hands complete control to the power company, and they already have quite enough control. With an ordinary meter, the co. know I use x amount of power. With a smart meter, they can adjust pricing depending on when/what I use, turn off the power remotely etc.

There is no benefit to the consumer and the project is wastefully expensive.

Also the lying and browbeating. SSE kept telling me my meter was no longer 'approved for use' and 'must be replaced', which was complete nonsense. It was installed new in 2013. Their Bullying just makes me more determined to refuse. Plus I don't want an electrician mucking up my recently and very tidily installed wiring/boxing, and they won't take responsibility for the damage, they never do.

I think this winter will show how the power companies chose to manipulate the data but until I see some sort of safeguards and a different attitude, they get a firm NO from me.

Imagine your smart meter gets hacked. They’ll know very quickly if you’re home, or out, or even away.

And the other reasons given ^^

On octopus I send in monthly readings and can see within 2 minutes what I've used, how much I'm in credit etc.

I’m wary because I’ve read of stories where the smart meter has given false readings. No idea how true or often this happens. Does anyone have a smart meter with Octopus and does it give accurate readings?

all this plus I’m pissed off because I agreed to have a smart meter about 5 years ago. Then three times I waited in all day but they failed to turn up to fit it. So I can’t be arsed with it.🤷‍♀️

Sorry if I’m being naive but how can the company adjust their pricing depending on when you use power? Surely you pay the rate according to the tariff you’re on?

MintJulia "Because it hands complete control to the power company, and they already have quite enough control. With an ordinary meter, the co. know I use x amount of power. With a smart meter, they can adjust pricing depending on when/what I use, turn off the power remotely etc.There is no benefit to the consumer and the project is wastefully expensive."

exactly. The loss of individual autonomy is a serious business.

Plus it's a move to the whole "Internet of Things".

We had one a few years ago. I am annoyed that the letter I received implied it was a legal obligation and I had to let them do it which I now realise was rubbish. But we have it in the kitchen and when dc see it is red because of high usage they run around the house turning lights off to get it down so it’s a good way of involving dc.

They just charge differently according to times. So elec costs x between 5 and 8, or y between 8 and 11.

Agree with this. Also it's just another piece of electronic crap to break/go wrong. My old fashioned meter has never stopped working or given me an inaccurate reading so I will stick with that.