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Post by waiting4atickle on Oct 2, 2024 13:32:17 GMT
Any thoughts on smart meters, either way? We have so far resisted having one installed as they don't seem to offer any great benefit. However, more and more suppliers seem to be offering their lowest tariffs to customers with smart meters, as I discovered when looking to switch the other day. Fortunately, I managed to find a pretty good deal with Octopus, fixed for 15 months, which doesn't insist on you having a smart meter - and which has zero exit fees! - so have gone with that. It's not a big deal for us as our consumption is way below the average and our monthly charge is dwarfed by the council tax bill, but every little helps.
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Post by rondetto on Oct 2, 2024 16:16:07 GMT
Well, I will only give you my experience. A few years ago we were told that we had to have a smart meter, no choice. It was just as the engineer was leaving I asked him If it was going to save us money. He said not really, they put an extra £3 a month on your bill to pay for the meter.
I've found no advantage of having a meter and no saving either. The only good thing, If you can call it a good thing is that the readings are sent to your server so it does away with a meter reading, maybe doing someone out of a job. It's probably saving the server some money but not the customer.
In total, I would have objected to having it installed If I'd been given the option.
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Post by toots on Oct 3, 2024 7:42:56 GMT
Shell put a gas and electric smart meter in a few years ago. When they sold that side of the business to Octopus the gas readings ceased. After engineer and two meters later I still have to send in my gas meter reading. It’s no bother and I’ve never noticed any savings.
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Post by rikiiboy on Oct 3, 2024 8:27:14 GMT
[Why do so many homeowners wish they had never installed a smart meter as 3.9 million break?
Why so many homeowners wish they had never installed a smart ...
This is essentially because suppliers are prioritising installations for fear of incurring financial penalties if they do not meet targets set by energy regulator Ofgem. When it comes to ensuring customers' smart meters operate correctly, the regulator's touch is much lighter.]
[No, people over 75 are not required to have a smart meter:
Smart meter installation
It is not mandatory to have a smart meter installed in your home. However, suppliers are required to install a smart meter if they are replacing or installing a meter for the first time.]
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Post by althea on Oct 4, 2024 11:52:57 GMT
My experience is identical to Toots' experience. I have now left Octopus, I didn't like their trendy website. I could never speak to a person.
I have changed to British gas , which used to have an awful reputation, but now is high on the comparison website.
So far, so good. The meter just adds insult to injury - you can actually see your money whizzing away.
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Post by waiting4atickle on Oct 28, 2024 12:52:51 GMT
I've just had an email from Octopus Energy, to whom we switched less than a month ago, saying "Your electricity meter has now reached the end of its certification period. . . We’re required by law under the Electricity Act 1989 to get your meter replaced once it’s reached its certification date". Has anyone else had such a communication? It seems like a strategy to foist a smart meter on us and I'm wondering why EDF, our previous supplier, which was forever pestering us to get a smart meter, did not resort to such a tactic - I believe the meter is over 40 years old and, as far as I can tell, the certification period ended in 2002.
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Post by skylark on Nov 2, 2024 7:48:39 GMT
I have a smart meter and don’t use look at it; I think the only way it can save you money is if you monitor your usage and adapt. I did not know I was paying extra for it; we were given no choice so far as I can remember!
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