smart to get one?

[stuffedpike20]

Definitely 'off topic' this one.
Octopus want me to get a smart meter, but I don't want one. A recent tele programme about them stated that they are 100% for the provider, not the customer. The provider gets paid for each smart meter it installs.
I have even heard the suggestion that, because of future shortages caused mostly by EV charging, and AI and computer data storage, smart meters will be used to ration electricity.
I have been sent scary emails about losing my electricity or hot water (?). They phone me every couple of weeks with various scenarios. Today I was told that the electricity I use in the evenings may be more expensive(?!), if I don't get a smart meter.

Any thoughts much appreciated.
Thanks
John

[myoldjalopy]

I'm with Octopus too but I am only 'encouraged' to get a smart meter, so no strong arm tactics as yet. I don't want a smart meter for the reasons you mention, and on principle, and I will hold out on having one as long as I can. They can't force you to have one so I would ignore them. They may well continue to try and persuade you with various dubious tactics (a previous supplier tried to convince me the existing meter was at the end of its working life - it isn't).

[geoberni]

I've been with Octopus for about 4-5 years.
I've stuck with them not just because they offer reasonable rates but also because of issues I've had with other companies.

My house had a Day/Night Meter fitted originally but around 15 years ago I managed, with whomever I was with at the time, to get my billing changed so that both the readings were charged at the rate of a single Tariff Meter.

When I was looking for a change of supplier, I encountered a majority who told me it was impossible to have a Single Rate on a Dual Meter.
Octopus however could do it no problem.

I did have a Smart Meter fitted last year, simply because I had no choice.
Meters are only 'lifed/warranted' for 10 years, at which point apparently the industry examine laboratory reports of their calibration and decide if the model can be extended, of if they need to be replaced.
Mine was about 12 years old and scheduled for replacement.

This 'Certification' of a Meter Model can apparently vary from 10-40 years, so you'll have to switch over at some point.

They replaced it no problem.
However, the Contracted Installer reported the installation as not being fully compliant with some minor regulation or other, so that resulted in a visit from the Distribution Network engineers. Who then slagged off the Meter Installers and being a PITA as they said it was a typical installation of it's time and they wished the Contractors would stop submitting such reports.
They said the Installer was just being difficult because the Meter for my Solar PV Installation was in the cabinet. This used to be common practice, but as Smart Meters take up more space than the old ones, Smart Meter Installers get a bit of a strop on about it.
The network guys tied the cables up a little in the cabinet and that was it.

[KeithL]

I have smart meters for both my gas and electricity with Octopus. As yet I haven't seen any downside. The major benefit is not having to do battle with the spiders to read the meters any more.

[stuffedpike20]

I've been with Octopus for about 4-5 years.
I've stuck with them not just because they offer reasonable rates but also because of issues I've had with other companies.

My house had a Day/Night Meter fitted originally but around 15 years ago I managed, with whomever I was with at the time, to get my billing changed so that both the readings were charged at the rate of a single Tariff Meter.

When I was looking for a change of supplier, I encountered a majority who told me it was impossible to have a Single Rate on a Dual Meter.
Octopus however could do it no problem.

I did have a Smart Meter fitted last year, simply because I had no choice.
Meters are only 'lifed/warranted' for 10 years, at which point apparently the industry examine laboratory reports of their calibration and decide if the model can be extended, of if they need to be replaced.
Mine was about 12 years old and scheduled for replacement.

This 'Certification' of a Meter Model can apparently vary from 10-40 years, so you'll have to switch over at some point.

They replaced it no problem.
However, the Contracted Installer reported the installation as not being fully compliant with some minor regulation or other, so that resulted in a visit from the Distribution Network engineers. Who then slagged off the Meter Installers and being a PITA as they said it was a typical installation of it's time and they wished the Contractors would stop submitting such reports.
They said the Installer was just being difficult because the Meter for my Solar PV Installation was in the cabinet. This used to be common practice, but as Smart Meters take up more space than the old ones, Smart Meter Installers get a bit of a strop on about it.
The network guys tied the cables up a little in the cabinet and that was it.

I read somewhere that if a meter is working properly, you cannot be forced to change it. Octopus have not told me yet that my meter is faulty.... however, that might be the theme of the next phone call.
My meter is at least 25 years old.

[myoldjalopy]

The government is 'encouraging' smart meters but Octopus cannot force you to have one. As stated above, a previous provider tried the 'its past the end of its working life' spiel with me over five years ago and its still working fine. Almost the same age as yours.
I would hold out until the law is changed to make smart meters compulsory - at present, they are not. Resist, always resist......

[Bill_qaz]

Having both smart gas and electric meters(but not your supplier)
I fail to find any negatives.
No reading required by meter reader or myself. I used to have to get on floor to read gas and up a ladder to read electric, no fun when 70+ The reading's are sent daily, so accurate bills with no estimates.
No different to having water meter which is externally scanned.
Less hassle for myself, no intrusion from suppliers staff.
What's not to like?

[stuffedpike20]

Not sure if it is true, but I heard that manufacturers are putting chips in appliances that mean that the appliance can be controlled from the suppliers end.
You might want to do your laundry on a Monday morning, but if there is too much demand for electricity, the supplier will disable your washing machine .

[svenedin]

I have a "Smart" electricity meter, gas meter and water meter. There are the first generation and unfortunately the remote monitor only works with British Gas. It's years ago now but my electricity meter was absolutely ancient and it was me who complained it was wildly inaccurate!

I've had no problems with the smart gas or electricity meters except when my mother lived with me she would obsess over the energy monitor and how much it cost pay day (which I agree is quite terrifying).

The "smart" water meter (which is under a cover in the pavement) has not been successful. I think it is designed to be read by a person with a reader walking along the street. Thames Water didn't bother reading it for 3 years and then presented me with a bill for £1,800 when they had to change the meter due to a leak. Charming 2 weeks before Christmas.

In terms of modifying behaviour it has made me more aware of how much energy certain appliances use, especially the tumble dryer and the washing machine on hot washes.

Stephen

[geoberni]

In terms of modifying behaviour it has made me more aware of how much energy certain appliances use, especially the tumble dryer and the washing machine on hot washes.

We've had a Solar PV installation since 2013; we have a gismo that diverts the generated electricity to the immersion heater to heat the hot water up, before it sends surplus to the Grid, thus meaning the Gas Boiler isn't used for water heating for much of the extended summer period.
We have access to an App that can monitor it, but it's not really convenient to constantly get your phone out and check when the panels are feeding into the Grid and how much.
I was reluctant to get a Smart meter since I was unsure how it would fit in with the Solar PV, affecting the payments I get for contributing to the Grid.
Once I found out it would have no influence, I didn't mind having it.
The benefit has been that the little display is much more convenient than the App, so we can now schedule more accurately to use the 'Free' electric for the washing machine, tumble dryer, etc, even cooking and baking.

[Bill_qaz]

Not sure if it is true, but I heard that manufacturers are putting chips in appliances that mean that the appliance can be controlled from the suppliers end.
You might want to do your laundry on a Monday morning, but if there is too much demand for electricity, the supplier will disable your washing machine .

There has been a huge increase in chips being put in appliances.
Many believe it’s linked to the increased ownership of air fryers.

[myoldjalopy]

Interestingly, in Dec 2023, the BBC reported 'almost 3 million smart meters still not working': https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-67591320
Then, by March 2024, 'almost 4 million smart meters not working properly': https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz9zqn77ezno
Maybe its 5 million by now?
I guess that's progress these days......

[geoberni]

I read somewhere that if a meter is working properly, you cannot be forced to change it. Octopus have not told me yet that my meter is faulty.... however, that might be the theme of the next phone call.
My meter is at least 25 years old.

I don't suppose you've got a RTS Dual Rate meter?
Where you have separate Day and Night Electricity rates?

Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) meters are being replaced with great urgency because the RTS network is being switched off in a couple of months and there are still a lot of people out there using them...They were popular for D/N users in the late 80s & 90s apparently.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdjlkrwmpveo

[stuffedpike20]

I read somewhere that if a meter is working properly, you cannot be forced to change it. Octopus have not told me yet that my meter is faulty.... however, that might be the theme of the next phone call.
My meter is at least 25 years old.

I don't suppose you've got a RTS Dual Rate meter?
Where you have separate Day and Night Electricity rates?

Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) meters are being replaced with great urgency because the RTS network is being switched off in a couple of months and there are still a lot of people out there using them...They were popular for D/N users in the late 80s & 90s apparently.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdjlkrwmpveo

I do not have an RTS meter. I have a digital meter that says 'Property of E On', although I am with Octopus. There is a date written on a label attached by a seal which is 10/3/28...
or possibly 28/3/10. I am guessing this is either the date the meter was fitted, or the date that it needs replacing. (I was wrong when I said my meter was at least 25 years old. My memory is very bad.... I can't remember when the meter was fitted.)

The lady on the last phone call said that my electricity MIGHT be more expensive in the EVENING, although she did not state what times the EVENING is.

[Chipper]

I feel I'm being right royally ripped off by Scottish Power. I used to pay a regular £30 or so per month for electricity only on a 1-bedroom flat (no gas). This then mysteriously rocketeted by six times that to over £120/month following Putin's invasion! It was at this point I got them to install a smart meter, hoping it might bring costs down - no such luck. Then it's crept up to around £133/month for some time, now they're demanding £206/month!

I spoke to the lady in the flat below mine, who is on a pre-pay scheme (with Scottish Power) and only pays around £30/month still! She told me she was having a smart meter installed, and I advised her against it. However, she went ahead anyway, and while the engineer was there, I asked him about my system and he reckoned the price was way too high for some reason. He also said having any dealing with customer services was a nightmare.

I've been onto their customer services about it, and they just fob me off with the "averaging out the cost from winter". I've cancelled my direct debit with them, and intend to possibly switch supplier very soon, maybe to Octopus which has been recommended...

[stuffedpike20]

I like Octopus Chipper, in spite of all the smart meter hassle

The latest communication I have had was Octopus telling me that they have arranged for an engineer to call to take away my RTS meter (which I do not have).
I have told them that I will only get a smart meter if it becomes a legal requirement to do so.
The lunacy continues.