Smart Meters

I had one fitted but as it couldn't connect to a broadband signal, it was removed and the old one put back.

My smart meter means my bills are accurate, no manual readings needed and no meter reader calls. I can change provider as I wish as well. I’m not worried if ‘big brother’ can tell I’ve put the kettle on either.
However, I do think that water meters should be compulsory as that is an important resource that some might abuse . For example, my neighbour’s son ran a small car wash business from his drive and left the hose on all day!!

There are concerns that smart meters can affect health. They use microwaves and these are not proven to be safe when used in such proximity 24/7.

This is unproven science......no-one knows how safe it is. I cannot use a mobile phone because I get a headache so I know it will affect me. I have friends who feel the same way.

There is also the issue that someone can turn off your power supply without gaining access to your home. Is this a good thing?

Apart from all meter readers losing their jobs what benefit do the meters bring to the Utility companies?

Why do they want us all to know how much we use, because I do not believe it will save money. I only use what is necessary, most of us do. Who will benefit and why?

The rumour is that the Utility companies will put prices up during peak hours so that cooking dinner and breakfast and watching TV etc will cost more.
It is not a good idea IMO.

Slap on the wrist recently that for the past twenty years as a customer of those 'who will be nameless' and would not have made me wealthy overnight in changing supplier I have been informed of submitting my readings seven days after they should have been. sent.Twenty years before advising me ?no I do not have a smart meter, what be their motive.?

They are great, no bother having to read the meter any more.The little monitor I have in the kitchen tells me where I am using a lot of energy, the kettle is the main culprit, but for the few minutes its on it doesnt make any diference.
The smart meter was installed without a problem in a few nimutes, I can recommend them

After twenty yes twenty ! loyal years with the same supplier and of the opinion when checking with other suppliers that my present tariff reasonable, always room for improvement no doubt, but would not be any where near that which would cover me taking my friend out every month for a extra large coffee and Danish ?I am informed that someone will visit to read my meter as for the last two months ???? I have not been sending in my readings.?????
When questioning this 'so how is it my bill shows my submitted readings' I was informed yes correct but you are submitting on the wrong day.When I came back into orbit I asked 'so when would you like me to submit, and no I haven't a smart meter, the answer was seven days from start of month not as you have been doing ie mid month
.So it appears that it has taken my supplier twenty years to work that one out. I question THEIR motive.??

I have had one for a couple of years. I found it useful to check how much energy my Conservatory’s heated floor uses. Sadly, way too much, so we no longer use it. Other than that, I don’t refer to it. I like that our bills are accurate with no meter reader coming around to the house. After all there are enough unknown people coming around, it’s one less to concern ourselves with. It is the case that often another provider can’t read it. So as another poster said, if you transfer to another provider, you loose that benefit. I don’t plan to leave my provider Ovo Energy though. They are independent and behave much better than the big 5!

They are useful for reminding you how much the tumble dryer or fan heater is costing you!!

Would you tell your friend or neighbour on a constant basis when you are having a shower, making a cup of tea, going out or on holiday or staying up half the night watching tv? I don't think, it's none of their business, so why would you let your energy supplier monitor your behaviour! Being able to see how much energy I am using wouldn't make me use less. I use what I want, if I can afford it, and I don't want anyone or any machine snooping on me.

SORRY! Just re-read post & I see it is electric meters not water meters.

I have 2 problems with Smart Meters.
They have been pushing to get all our road onto this scheme & I know people who say they save a lot BUT we have 2 ponds that need topping up a lot in hot weather. I doubt we would save anything- probably quite the opposite.
Also a friend was in same situation ( no ponds- just pressure to change) & finally agreed to have a meter- once the whole road was on the scheme the prices went up & she was far worse off.
I'm sticking with water bills thank you.

20+ years ago I was informed that my 'ends' (the bit of wiring between the heavy input cable and the meter) were to be overhauled, and a new meter installed. No choice was offered, the work was done in my (and everyone else's) house.

Now they want 'smart meters'. They can read your meter remotely. You get a display that shows useage. I used mine for a bit out of interest, then it went back in its box. The engineer who installed the meter asked me if I wanted it set up at all, apparently lots of people don't bother.

The meter doesn't just send a reading four times a year. It can monitor your useage more closely, sending information on demand patterns to the supplier. I believe some people see this as a privacy issue.

I had one fitted. It really annoyed me because it was plugged in a socket in my kitchen, which doesn’t have many sockets anyway. Also, of course, it uses electricity. So it is now unplugged and in its box in a cupboard.

Having a smart meter means the company knows when there is no usage, ie when you are on holiday and the house is empty. I have heard some dreadful stories where houses have been broken into when it's known the house was empty. Wouldn't have smart meter under any circumstances.

My father aged 90 got one because he thought it was the law. It didn't save him anything at all, as he'd already bought eco appliances, led bulbs etc etc. He was the most frugal person I know.
Totally useless and didn't work when he changed supplier.
It went in the bin.

There have been ads all over the radio for a couple of years saying get one. I wanted one. I have asked the last 4 suppliers and still not got one. We will be rolling them out eventually in your area. Some said waiting for the newer ones that work with every supplier.
My current gas and electricity supplier for more than a year is Bulb, green energy. I'm registered as vulnerable so they read the meters four times a year but also ask monthly for readings which I send, or a photo of the meter.
When I muddled it they were very good. I've had various contacts and they have replied to emails or online chats and the costs are a little less than the last company. Also if anyone wants to change to Bulb I can send a code and we get £50 each for me recomending you! I did recomend one person and a couple of months ago I got an email saying it was my one year anniversary and it would be £100- each for the next person and I did recommend someone and got another £100 credit!

Supplier rung last week saying they were in the area and would we like one - politely refused. Don’t want any more tat on a shelf thank you.

A friend of ours had one installed by EDF they told her she has been underpaying for 4 years and she ended up with a massive bill. I definitely will not be having one installed.

Apparently if your internet goes down so does your electric

Would I recommend a Smart meter? No.
I haven’t got one and don’t intend to have one. People whom I know that have one have had problems of different sorts.
Why do you need to know usage of electricity that you need to use anyway!?
(Now should the ! be before the ? or after?)

Have/had a smart meter. On changing supplier usual story - no good. The suppliers like them as your useage can be closely monitored and no need for meter to be read by them. Until there is one meter suits all available won't be bothering. And yes, it becomes just a bit of junk in the kitchen. If there are a few teenagers running computers,games,phone chargers,hairdryers,straighteners in the household then may be useful to see just how much they are costing.

I had an apology from EoN after complaining about the wording of their letter. We agreed they would make no more contact until/unless they could supply a second generation meter when we would consider it - no guarantee of acceptance. That was six months ago, no contact since.

I had one with British Gas and when I changed to Bristol energy it no longer worked. My tariff is much cheaper now and I've been with Bristol Energy for 4 years and nothing ever seems to come close to what they offer so I renew. I do not understand how a smart meter cuts costs, it certainly didn't for me.

I would like to share this video with anyone who is interested. Here is a link to the smart meter
documentary "Take back your power". www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZTiT9ZSg3Q
Well worth watching and pretty scary in terms of the damage done to human
bodies!

About 3 or 4 years ago, my mum (just beginning to suffer from Alzheimers) received a letter from the utility company saying they were coming to put a SMART meter in, no discussion it had to happen. She panicked greatly so I rang them to explain the anxiety it had caused and maybe later- would that cause a problem. The guy on the other end stated that the government wanted every household to have one by 2020, but not to worry as they were so behind installing them this target wouldn't be reached, so just ignore the letter. Never heard from them again...a SMART meter not compulsory to have seems to be the case. I havent got one either btw!