howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
I can't see much benefit in getting one just to save £11 per annum.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44903471Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,870
The big benefit for me will be not having the bother of having to provide my meter readings.
The meter reader always seems to come when I am having forty winks or my daughter has to read the B things as they are in an awkward position for me. There was a long waiting list for installation when I enquired several months ago about getting them.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Weird Granny Slater
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 7 Jun 2017
- Posts: 3,063
This scheme was only ever going to benefit the power utilities, notwithstanding the fact that it was sold as a cost-saver to consumers. I'm one of the 78% who've resisted the inducements and cajolings of the companies to have one installed. I read my own, and a chap comes along a couple of times a year to check that I'm not fiddling the meters. His job would go for sure. Besides, I see no reason the power company should need to know when I'm making a cup of tea or washing my undies.
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'Pass the cow dung, my dropsy's killing me' - Heraclitus
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
I have not had my meter read for over 10 years, every 3 months British Gas e mail me for readings I reply and within the hour a detailed statement comes through so I don't understand this issue of estimated accounts.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,870
howard mcsweeney1 wrote:I have not had my meter read for over 10 years, every 3 months British Gas e mail me for readings I reply and within the hour a detailed statement comes through so I don't understand this issue of estimated accounts.
Not everyone can provide a reading on line for various reasons, hence estimated readings I would have thought that was quite easy to understand.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Pablo- Registered: 21 Mar 2018
- Posts: 614
Everyone’s bill has a telephone number for giving readings, the meters are not difficult to understand and most people have access to a phone nowadays.
The main problem with having a smart meter installed is that if you change supplier it will no longer work. I now have a useless one until my new supplier decides it wants to install one.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Jan Higgins wrote:Not everyone can provide a reading on line for various reasons, hence estimated readings I would have thought that was quite easy to understand.
Not at all as 95% of people have online access even if some rely on a family member or friend to help out. As peter points out their is a number to ring to give a reading and also meter readers leave a freepost card for people to fill in so companies using estimated readings as a reason to offload their smart meters is frankly ridiculous.
Reginald Barrington
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,256
The thing with these meters is they dont actually save you anything, once an accurate reading is received by the suppliers the bill is adjusted up or down accordingly. The only way they can save you money Is if you look at it when you, for example put the microwave on to defrost a joint and notice how much that cost you and decide next time to defrost it overnight.
Personally I am already energy conscious (tight) so it will be of no benefit to me.
John Buckley, Pablo, Brian Dixon and
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Arte et Marte
Guest 1033- Registered: 23 Aug 2013
- Posts: 509
The total cost for the fitting of these meters is reckoned to £11 billion, and we, the gas and electricity end users, are the ones who will have to foot the bill through increased charges. Despite this, the propaganda says that the meters and fitting are free. They also say that they will save you money, also not true. Turning off lights, lowering your heating thermostats and turning off tv's and computers rather than leaving them on standby will save you money. Its a convenience for the power companies at our expense, and I certainly won't be having them fitted.
John Buckley, Brian Dixon and Weird Granny Slater like this
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
a saving of wait for it 11 quid a year.
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,915
yes but not much choice,,,,
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Reginald Barrington- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,256
Des58
Registered: 31 Jul 2018
Posts: 1
Today 14:10347100
quote #1 report
Just had a call from First Utility.Say i have to have a smart meter installed.If not i will be switched to a different tariff and charged £30 each per exit fee.Can they do this? I agreed to my tariff till 2019.Didnt know this was in clause?
howard mcsweeney1
Location: Dover
Registered: 12 Mar 2008
Posts: 59,504
Today 16:06347110
quote #2 report
Just a try on as nobody can be forced to take a smart meter, as for switching you to a different tariff for refusing even though you have an agreement until next year sounds like bullying. Maybe a call to the CAB would be your next step?
https://www.dover.uk.com/forums/my-dover-forum/smart-meters
Last edited by howard mcsweeney1 at 16:09 on 31 Jul 2018
Reason: additional information
Reginald Barrington
Reginald Barrington
Location: Dover
Registered: 17 Dec 2014
Posts: 2,000
Today 16:17347111
quote #3 report
No they can't force you to take a smart meter.
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/do-i-have-to-accept-a-smart-meter
Arte et Marte
Arte et Marte
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Gave an up to date meter reading on line two weeks ago and received an updated statement of account by return. Just had a meter reader call and his records show that I had not sent a reading in!!
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
We were asked if we would like one that was when they first came out, we said no they never ask
ed anymore.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,915
Good it's still optional
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