Compulsory smart meters?

[Nanu]

We have just received an email from Octopus energy stating our meter ( they don’t stipulate which one) is coming up to the end of its certification period and needs to be replaced with a Smart meter.

We are checking when the period ends and proof as we do not want a smart meter.

Has anyone else had similar emails and whilst I know that it must be replaced if the certification period ends, must it be replaced with a smart meter and what if one meter is at its end but the other isn’t.

[MikeyH]

I don't want a smart meter and eon keeps pressuring us to have one, I always say no. As far as I know you don't have to have one which to me means its replaced with like for like. When our gas meter was replaced last year it was with a standard one.

[Ole gits rule]

I had one previously, threw it out as it was constantly cutting out due to internet connection issues and of zero use, it showed how much power was being consumed but not what was consuming it unless you had it in your hand as you switched something on.

Also I had a £1000 electric bill and still not convinced there was not an error with the smart meter.

I now just enter the reading each month and two days later I get a mail saying you have used XXX - check you account

[buzyg]

Have to ask. Why don't you want a smart Meter?

[Nanu]

Have to ask. Why don't you want a smart Meter?

simple, if they want to implement a blackout, they flick a switch and bang goes your power. If there is a problem with your internet connection and your meter does not record a reading, your cut off. Remote Internet connections can be hacked, the less I have the better. Apart from my phone all my tech is hard wired.

[Nanu]

I don't want a smart meter and eon keeps pressuring us to have one, I always say no. As far as I know you don't have to have one which to me means its replaced with like for like. When our gas meter was replaced last year it was with a standard one.

octopus say on its website they don’t install non smart meters

[smorris_12]

The one thing they never mention about smart meters, which has been a thing for over 25 years in industry, is variable tarrifs. In industry the day is cut into many, many periods defined by the provider. Each period (say 15 minutes) can be billed at a different rate. Use more electric at popular times and they charge more per unit. Basically the same idea as Economy 7 but more than 2 counters on your meter!

Not something I'm keen on seeing at home.

[mgrlane]

Have to ask. Why don't you want a smart Meter?

simple, if they want to implement a blackout, they flick a switch and bang goes your power. If there is a problem with your internet connection and your meter does not record a reading, your cut off. Remote Internet connections can be hacked, the less I have the better. Apart from my phone all my tech is hard wired.

100% this.

Best case scenario they are a handy thing for making you more efficient.

Worst case your power can be throttled and turned off at will.

[TitanTim]

Had a smart meter for years never think about it or messing about sending in meter readings. If they cut the power I'm quids in

Tim.

[smorris_12]

Worst case your power can be throttled and turned off at will.

Excepting that this isn't the case. Meters don't include the contactor necessary for swiching the supply off; there's no such thing as being able to "throttle" a supply and knowingly switching supplies off could lead to god knows what legal repercussions!

[Nanu]

Worst case your power can be throttled and turned off at will.

Excepting that this isn't the case. Meters don't include the contactor necessary for swiching the supply off; there's no such thing as being able to "throttle" a supply and knowingly switching supplies off could lead to god knows what legal repercussions!

My neighbour had a car charging point fitted to his garage. After he researched it fully, he found that there was a mechanism in place whereby power could be reduced or limited remotely or restrict usage to certain times of day.

[Ed Doe]

f**k me this is hilarious. Because obviously a smart meter is what's needed to switch off your supply. Rather than you know, the distribution station.

They'll f***ing turn your gas off if they want to, won't make a blind bit of difference if you're hiding under a tinfoil hat in the cupboard under the stairs with an abacus calculating your meter reading or hooked up to a smart meter.


Honestly

[Mr Tidy]

Ed's right there.

Our electricity got turned off plenty of times during the days of the 3 Day Week in the 70s - and Smart meters hadn't been invented!

[Chippie]

f**k me this is hilarious. Because obviously a smart meter is what's needed to switch off your supply. Rather than you know, the distribution station.

They'll f***ing turn your gas off if they want to, won't make a blind bit of difference if you're hiding under a tinfoil hat in the cupboard under the stairs with an abacus calculating your meter reading or hooked up to a smart meter.


Honestly

[mgrlane]

f**k me this is hilarious. Because obviously a smart meter is what's needed to switch off your supply. Rather than you know, the distribution station.

They'll f***ing turn your gas off if they want to, won't make a blind bit of difference if you're hiding under a tinfoil hat in the cupboard under the stairs with an abacus calculating your meter reading or hooked up to a smart meter.


Honestly

Can turn my gas off all they like. I am on oil and solar/batt.

If they turned my electricity off for an hour or so- I wouldn't notice it tbf.

Hardly need an abucas to give them a reading. Once every couple of months I type in a number on the computer along with the solar meter reading.

I don't see any benefit in having an energy company know when I turn my kettle on and how many times I do a day/when and how I use the electricity or being able to monitor it in real time.