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.

My 2nd gen gas meter stopped shoeing readings in December and Scottish Power won't do anything about it. So I've been on estimated readings since then.

I've been fobbed off being told its an industry wide issue that they are waiting for a solution on. Why they can't just swap it over I don't know.

This is me! Although I am more tempted to get one for fear of rising costs. But I know it would be a rabbit hole. At the moment I can't have one because allegedly signal is too bad in this area.

Has anyone tried to make you get one? Wondering if there is an exemption for those of us with certain difficulties.

You have always been able to see what you are using as you have always had a meter and you know what's using electricity in your home.

I understand that having the display makes it easier though.

I just check regular meters weekly, usage is very low. I would think it would take some time to make enough in any savings (if there are any, washing, cooking and so on still needs to be done) to cover my loss of income to be home for installation.

The level of paranoia on here is really scary.

I have moved three times since I had mine installed, still using the original one that was installed, nothing needed to be changed

Because of the location of my smart meter I have nowhere to position the info console, when it was installed I asked the guy if I needed the console and he said no, it's more of a nice to have. I have had the same smart meter through three different providers over 4 years and never used the info console, not had any issues

I hate ours. It doesn't tell me what my reading actually is! I can see the dial jump if the oven is on or whatever but I don't know what the actual unit price, standing charge and all that stuff is. It was a pita to get it fitted because they cancelled the date about three times. I don't get the point. I don't have stuff switched on unless I'm using it so how is it helpful?!

my new tarif was dependent on getting one
so i have waited in, twice since february
no show

I didn't use the screen either, it was there for about a week but because it had to be fairly near the meter to work it was in the way, also it didn't really tell me anything new. Those posters with OCD could get a smart meter if they wanted and not use the screen as it is a separate thing to the meter.

I couldn't afford to lose two days income for nothing!

They were a great idea, totally and uttlerly ruined by the implementation.

To date the implementation of them has cost more than £11b (www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42655965). There are around 30 million homes in the UK. That's a cost of at least £360 per home for cheaply made devices that often do not work - for which there is no realistic come back for the home occupier but to just put up with a malfunctioning device and work round it.

They have not produced the energy savings they were meant to - so the whole thing is a net cost that has been added to all our bills.

As usual, we have been ripped off.

Reading some of these responses reminds me of some of the conspiracy theories around the COVID jab! I’m assuming that those worried about energy companies having access to data that gives knowledge of their whereabouts don’t have smartphones, never use loyalty cards, never post on FB etc.

Also, as to the companies knowing when you aren’t in, I would imagine that there are easier ways for potential burglars to establish this fact.

I’ve had one for several years and it has definitely saved me money. The difference is that you can see which appliances use the most energy - those saying they just submit a regular reading and they know how much that costs are missing the point that not everything costs the same. With costs being as they are I want to be sure I am limiting the use of the expensive things, not stressing about turning off a table lamp that barely costs anything to run.

@Scarletpetunias
I've had all of my covid jabs, understand the earth is round and don't believe in chemtrails for that matter.
I think anyone that thinks that smart metres have been implemented for the benefit of the consumer, is spectacularly naive to say the least.

DH currently works in generation for a big utility company and doesn’t know anyone there who will get one. It’s not paranoia as a previous poster suggested - he’s using all the knowledge and experience he has of the situation to determine whether it is the right thing for him to do - same way as he makes any other decision. And in this case it’s a definitely not.

One because its hackable, two because it gives away too much control to huge corporations who don't give a fuck about me. And most importantly because you're paying an extra price by giving away detailed data on how you live your life. We don't have store reward cards for the same reason. It feels like being spied on so they can use how you live to leverage your buying power. No thank you.

I had them installed as my old meters were ancient. I had a display thing but never looked at it so unplugged it. I've changed companies and they take a monthly smart reading. My gas meter is behind my fridge freezer and I had to use a mirror and my phone camera to get a picture of the reading on my old meter as I couldn't see it.

I can only see a gain for the energy companies not me.

It’s trickery to say it’s greener when the cost of throwing away old meters that last decades isn’t factored in. And the new meters have a shorter life span.

Surge pricing capability - it doesn’t give give real choice

Hacking is possible- scary

When EV target has been met I’ve read that there’s a suggestion that reversing meters will be used. So that households can add energy to the grid from their car batteries. One EV battery holds enough energy to power 100 homes for one hour. At that point I can see a benefit to the consumer but not currently.

@Scarletpetunias I don't need a smart meter to tell me what the expensive appliances are.

I bought the lightbulb for my table lamp, it says 6w, it's obvious that it's not costing much money!

What do you mean by an extra price?

Neither do I to be fair, however it’s
clear from other threads that plenty people have no idea what is expensive to run and what isn’t.

A Pp has mentioned the fire risk of using appliances overnight. Fire authorities advise against using washing machines, tumble driers and dishwashers overnight or when out of the house.

If you don't believe me, check the website of your local fire service. Look up "Fire safety advice" on Kent Fire and Rescue Service's website, for example.

As in you're paying in data. Data is a currency.

"But even with a non smart meter you know how much you are using because
You know if you have switched something on that uses electricity
You have a meter! It measures how much you are using. That's its whole purpose"

My meters aren't easily accessible.