I took against smart meters right from the start. I was immediately suspicious. We were promised that our bills would go down if we installed them. No mention that it would involve unwelcome decisions like turning down a thermostat or turning the central heating off earlier. This promise appeared in frequent advertisements. The companies were spending significant amounts of money so that their income would be reduced! This struck me as being highly unlikely. There must have been more in it for them than for me. At first, I assumed that they were doing this in order to sack the meter readers. Later, I read on the Internet that the real reason was that they could charge us more for consumption during peak times.
So, I ignored the direct approaches to accept one of these things. They also sent meter readers who tried to persuade me to get one and I kept refusing. I have now received a letter telling me that my electricity meter needs to be changed because ‘it is reaching the end of its operational life’! Frankly I don’t believe it. They are just desperate to get me on board.
The letter also has a section on frequently asked questions. One section is called ‘what happen if I do nothing.’ Here is the answer in full:
This work is important. Your electricity supplier is obliged by law to keep your meter accurate and safe. You will continue to receive reminders at regular intervals until the work is done.
I think I can live with that. I shall ignore the reminders regularly.
Hi Mr Magoo there are a couple of other threads on the subject of smart meters.
I am afraid sooner or later we will all be forced into having them or risk paying more.
There was an item on the radio not long ago saying that new cheaper tariffs are being introduced by suppliers for those with smart meters only, if you don’t have one you will pay a higher cost :twisted:
Read somewhere that in Germany they are doing away with smart meters because of the problems they cause or something
People are against the mainly because they can alter the tarrifs remotely depending on power demand. So you never know how much you are paying at any particular time of the day. It is also a way of scrapping meter reading jobs.
With exising meters the amount of gas or electricity is the same when ever you use it and you can check the meter reading
They are trying to con my sister I found out last night when I rang here. They used bully tactics saying she must change to a smart meter even though her existing meter is ok. I told her to tell them to take a running jump, She believed she had to change.
This is what they are doing, bullies and thugs and threats are their weapons scaring OAPs out of their wits, it is disgusting
I am exactly the same with my consumption as I know exactly what each of my electrical connections use even down to the 1.8watt LED bedside lamp we each have.
A ‘big-brother’ smart meter wont save me a single penny BUT it will put the supply company in the position where they can alter the charging tariff at any time of any day to suit them and not me. They can also disconnect the supply simply by instruction the meter to do so.
Apply the same with the gas meter and the supply companies will rake the profits in via timed tariff variations :twisted:
I think this objection to smart meters, water meters etc is all part of the Big Brother is watching you paranoia that many people suffer from these days.
I’m afraid changes are coming whether we like it or not. Always have, always will.
It’s interesting to see that some people who worry about the big brother aspect are quite happy to post their life on social media. I think with companies like Google around, smart meters are the least of our worries.
Before I moved house a couple of years ago, a water meter was installed at my previous address against my better judgement. My bills dropped dramatically because there were just the two of us as opposed to Mum, Dad and two point five kids. Teenagers will usually spend hours in showers.
Having stayed with the same supplier for years and refusing a smart meter I changed to EON in January. I’m now being told by letter that part of the tariff I have ( one year contract) I have to have a smart meter installed .
Letter states in bright red lettering
WE HAVE A LEGAL REQUIREMENT TO CHANGE YOUR METER
Do they, can they . What happens if I accept and then change suppliers again next year
I think realist can answer this better, but basically, if we all had smart meters then the suppliers can alter the payments as demand increases, when everyone comes home from work then the price will go up, as people start to cook their teas and such, also when something popular on tv is on the price of gas an£ electric will go up during the breaks as everyone switches on their kettles, a forecast of prolonged freezing weather will also see the prices rise, as the demand for heating is high
But you do not HAVE to have a smart meter as yet, whatever your supplier says…
there are a couple of other threads on the subject of smart meters.