Can they get any more desperate ?

Qman · 26th-Apr-23, 02:23 PM

We decided to succumb to the smart meter revolution, phoned up to arrange installation to be told we cant have a smart meter because "the mobile network they use doesn't have coverage in my area"

Well that's that then

CMOTD · 27th-Apr-23, 09:13 AM

(25th-Apr-23, 04:47 PM)Anthony B Wrote: The main issue for me is that they can automatically switch off your supply with the new smart meters. I think this is the real reason for the insistence.

The other main reason for rejecting smart meters is that once enough are installed the energy companies will undoubtedly start charging different rates on an hourly basis. With their track record this will almost certainly be used for the benefit of their profit margins and not to keep the users' costs down. Boil a kettle at teatime and it will cost you three times as much but off peak rates will not reduce by any significant amount.

Scott · 28th-Apr-23, 07:46 PM

(25th-Apr-23, 04:47 PM)Anthony B Wrote: The main issue for me is that they can automatically switch off your supply with the new smart meters. I think this is the real reason for the insistance.

Those of us who lived through the 70s will remember the 3-day weeks and regular power cuts. No smart meters where required.

Smart meter or not, they can cut the power to a house/street, district anyway.

I've had a smart meter for years but it hasn't worked for the past nine months, despite several calls which all ended in assurances it would be looked at. I gather this issue is not uncommon with early versions. As the estimated readings are lower than my actual usage it's not really causing me any grief.

In short, I don't think there's a great conspiracy to fit smart meters so they can turn off our power. I suspect the real reason is to eliminate the need to employ meter readers and, possibly, provide accurate, real-time demand information so they know when to fire up the coal burners to meet demand.

MYST · 28th-Apr-23, 08:07 PM

I rather like our smart meter.

Gordon Steadman · 29th-Apr-23, 08:22 AM

We don't get a choice! A smart meter or no power, take your pick.

Can't really see the problem though. A meter is a meter and our usage is what it is.

We keep getting notices that our monthly bills are going to be reduced as our usage is going down! Maybe because we put another jumper on instead of turning the heating up to beyond the 18 degrees we have it set at. The heat pump probably helps too. We were lucky that it was already installed when we bought the place though. Having seen the bill for installation, if it hadn't been here we would still be using a woodburner.

Kevan · 29th-Apr-23, 09:25 AM

18 degrees...luxury...ours sits at 16-17

Gordon Steadman · 29th-Apr-23, 11:13 AM

Tough guy huh? I suppose you are just in shorts and T shirt Sun

Kevan · 29th-Apr-23, 01:31 PM

Of course...skin is thicker oop North Bigsmile

Gordon Steadman · 29th-Apr-23, 03:57 PM

If we had been able to afford the move back to the UK, we were thinking about Mull or even further north to Harris.

I wonder how these thin skinned southerners would have coped. I would have been fine at one time but at my age, I very much doubt I would. Probably best we just moved to Normandy.