Smart meters

Molly 3

Molly 3

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Do you think that smart meter's are a usfull energy saving tool ,or the latest con with a sting in it's tail.
 
I remain to be convinced about them. Also bear in mind that as yet there is no standard meter acceptable to all electricity companies. This year I am switching from SSE to Octopus and if I had an SSE smart meter this would not be compatible with Octopus. Another issue that worries me is solar. At present it is assumed that 50% of what I generate goes back to the grid but I try to ensure that I use as much as I can of what I generate and send hopefully less than 50% to the grid although I am paid for the full 50%. A smart meter will be able to measure exactly what I send back.
Smart meters are not obligatory, despite what the bumph from your provider suggests. Hold fire until a standard is agreed between the government and all electricity providers before getting a smart meter installed.
 
They don't save any energy Bazz but the wifi monitor/display part of it that sits in the house does give you a constant reminder of what you're using or spending. It shows you Kw and £p, so I guess it makes you more aware of not being wasteful. The main reasons I agreed to one was (a) because I could then sign up to a good cheap tariff deal (it was a condition) and (b) because the actual smart meter bit that sits out in the garage automatically sends in meter readings, so I don't have to worry about being away in the van when the readings are due.
 
tonybvi said:
I remain to be convinced about them. Also bear in mind that as yet there is no standard meter acceptable to all electricity companies. This year I am switching from SSE to Octopus and if I had an SSE smart meter this would not be compatible with Octopus. Another issue that worries me is solar. At present it is assumed that 50% of what I generate goes back to the grid but I try to ensure that I use as much as I can of what I generate and send hopefully less than 50% to the grid although I am paid for the full 50%. A smart meter will be able to measure exactly what I send back.
Smart meters are not obligatory, despite what the bumph from your provider suggests. Hold fire until a standard is agreed between the government and all electricity providers before getting a smart meter installed.
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Yes, we had one from Npower, but a month later switched to Octopus who don’t do them but cost a lot less. So an unforgivable waste of someone’s money. Just like all those old-tech fluorescent slow low energy bulbs they dished out just before leds came in. Still sat on the shelf...another ill considered energy saving con (sorry government inspired promotion).
 
We've got one it's opened our eyes to how much certain electrical items cost to run especially kettles and we don't use the tumble dryer so much now we know how dear they are to use plus no more meter readings as it does it for you I think they Will become more popular when the next generation meters come out which will work with any supplier
 
Steveandjulie said:
We've got one it's opened our eyes to how much certain electrical items cost to run especially kettles and we don't use the tumble dryer so much now we know how dear they are to use plus no more meter readings as it does it for you I think they Will become more popular when the next generation meters come out which will work with any supplier
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You don’t need a smart meter for this. We have a very simple device that clamps round the main power cable and gives us all the above information (apart from submitting meter readings). This device coupled with our solar generation meter has enabled us to save an awful lot of money. I still say wait until the next generation of standardised meters comes out!
Tony
 
Barge1914 said:
Yes, we had one from Npower, but a month later switched to Octopus who don’t do them but cost a lot less. So an unforgivable waste of someone’s money. Just like all those old-tech fluorescent slow low energy bulbs they dished out just before leds came in. Still sat on the shelf...another ill considered energy saving con (sorry government inspired promotion).
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I'm a postman I remember when the energy companies gave everyone those bulbs our office was full of them as they wouldn't fit through letter boxes I could imagine all the disappointed customers going to collect their parcel and finding its a free light bulb
 
tonybvi said:
You don’t need a smart meter for this. We have a very simple device that clamps round the main power cable and gives us all the above information (apart from submitting meter readings). This device coupled with our solar generation meter has enabled us to save an awful lot of money. I still say wait until the next generation of standardised meters comes out!
Tony
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Very true... I had a monitor too for years before I got a smart meter. I think a lot of energy suppliers have stopped giving out monitors in favour of smart meters but you can still buy them as far as I know.
 
Minisorella said:
Very true... I had a monitor too for years before I got a smart meter. I think a lot of energy suppliers have stopped giving out monitors in favour of smart meters but you can still buy them as far as I know.
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what are these ....monitors.....where can they be purhased>>>>
never thought smart meters were much use to me .......its only logic ....fill a kettle full when only one cup is needed??
swith off all elec light and equpiment when not being used...etc...etc.


however, this winter because i still havent replaced gas wall heater in hallway...i will have to start using central heating...
have been thinking of whether to have a smart meter installed........to give me some idea of how much central heating will cost to run..........because i have no idea....in this case i would find it helpful

also i need to switch to another supplier to get a cheaper rate.....a few have mentioned octopuse will try and find out what their rates and onditions are.



i
heard on the radio a few months ago...the chappie that instigated the use of smart meters doesnt have one installed in his home...........because they are pretty much useless....or words to that effect.....
 
Trixie, this Which? article might help. I think the first thing to do is to ask your energy company if they give out free energy monitors... monitor not smart meter. Otherwise, you can buy them from about £30 I think.

https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/energy-monitors/article/how-to-buy-the-best-energy-monitor-for-you


Another thing that might be good if you're thinking of changing supplier, is to sign up with the Money Saving Expert's Energy Club... or just look at the comparisons on the MSE website.
 
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thanks for that jennie......will look into it all...........take care

nice to see you back with your interesting posts....
 
Something that always sticks in my mind, this meter is plugged in therefore using electricity, are we saving, when we cut down on our current use we are paying to have this meter plugged in. mine is more or less always switched off
 
They give all the information a Smart meter does except for sending in the reading. You can set them for all sorts of information - mine shows instantaneous consumption, instantaneous cost, total consumption per 24 hours, etc.etc
 
My new monitor shows leccy and gas Bazz... it's the one that came with the smart meter and I've got dual fuel with the same company.
My old monitor only showed leccy.
 
tonybvi said:
They give all the information a Smart meter does except for sending in the reading. You can set them for all sorts of information - mine shows instantaneous consumption, instantaneous cost, total consumption per 24 hours, etc.etc
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Hi ours does exactly the same, we had it on for the electric when we first got it, to see how it worked, it was running at about 5p hour something like that when we first got up nothing else on accept the norm. (fridge/freezer bedside clock plus all the usual thing you have plug in) then we put the kettle on it changed to about 40p an hour, then when i was doing the ironing (no kettle on) it changed to 45p hour (So Jeff made a joke saying you will have to iron faster) then suddenly I said it was using electric being plugged in. so I think it is you are cutting back on the electric you are using, but it is using some electric to power this gas/electric smart meter (SMART)
 
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