Hi Tianc, thanks for your comment. British Gas have asked for the following to be posted in reply:
"Hi Tianc - we?re glad to take this opportunity to explain what smart meters will do for consumers across the country, and while we?re at it clear some of the myths that are often found on the net around smart metering technology.
Smart meters, which come with a smart energy monitor, register consumption and make energy visible for you ? which can be an eye opener and massively improve your ability to monitor your usage.
Without knowing how much energy you use it?s difficult to keep on top of things and stick to a tight budget.
Re: the difference between smart meters and the energy monitors currently on the market
You refer to clipping meters, however that is a partial solution (only valid for electricity) and a much less clever one from a technological point of view, as a manual workaround is required in terms of having to download data to PCs.
Smart meters not only record gas as well as electricity, but with remote readings being sent to suppliers they allow for accurate bills and for an insightful energy usage breakdown to be sent to you. So you can make sense of your domestic expenses such as heating, lighting, cooking and appliances. And it finally brings the world of energy to the realm of 21st technology.
Re: Consumer rights
Smart meters are "reprogrammable", but this means it is much easier for customers to choose between credit and pay-as-you-go functionality. We can implement customers' choice without the inconvenience of them having to stay at home for a meter replacement.
Disconnections are very rare. When this is necessary, it will be possible to disconnect the meter remotely but for customers in payment difficulties, we will always look for alternatives to disconnection. One of these is prepayment, which can now be provided at minimal inconvenience to customers.
With smart meters, energy suppliers have no more powers to disconnect than with a standard meter. There are regulations covering disconnection for non-payment which require British Gas to offer alternatives and to avoid disconnection of vulnerable customers in winter, or pensioners, or homes where there are children under the age of 18. We will support customers in debt through accurate communications to ensure they?re fully informed about their options, while giving them the same amount of time to pay back their bills whatever type of meter they have. Also, we offer customers a wide choice of payment methods for paying charges which include cash and pre-payment. You can rest assured that British Gas follows Ofgem's rules on disconnection and this will be the same for customers with smart meters.
Re: Hacking and security
Our meters have been tested against physical attack and have been designed to be tamper proof. If the meter detects a tamper ?attack? then an alert is sent to British Gas for investigation. British Gas smart meters also comply with the Smart Metering Technical Specifications protocol version 1.0 issued by DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change).
Smart meters have robust security features that protect customer data, which are simple consumption readings, at all times. These features include advanced encryption techniques (245 bits, currently used by internet banking too), which send meter readings by GPRS (the same technology used by your mobile) in such a way that it can't be intercepted and used.
We have partnered with Vodafone who operate their own security and provide us with a private network, which isn?t shared with any other customers. We then run an added layer of our own security over the top of this encryption.
So if you feel comfortable using your phone and laptop there?s no reason to be worried about smart meters.
For more information around the smart meter revolution and the benefits to consumers you can visit:
Department of Energy and Climate Change
Ofgem
Energy Saving Trust
Health Protection Agency
Energy UK
Green Alliance "