Any downsides to a smart meter?

ivrytwr3 said:
My meters are old school and i am with Octopus. They are offering free upgrade to SMETS2 in my area.

Haven't signed up yet, but worth doing? There was a lot of negativity when smart meters were first introduced and i haven't really looked into it since.
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Yes and it’s not really optional in reality.

Like the above poster, I’ve saved a fortune from being able to access tariffs which change price up to every 30 minutes.

All staying on a dumb meter guarantees is that you’ll pay the most for your electricity.
 
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b0rn2sk8 said:
Yes and it’s not really optional in reality.

Like the above poster, I’ve saved a fortune from being able to access tariffs which change price up to every 30 minutes.

All staying on a dumb meter guarantees is that you’ll pay the most for your electricity.
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I am also on the old SMETS1 smart meter and with Octopus too, but I haven't been offered an upgrade to SMETS2.

Is it worth prodding Octopus for an upgrade? Would I save much from the upgrade? I know it really boils down to your energy usage, but if upgrading helps, then worth it?

That being said, I haven't had many issues with my SMETS1 meter in terms of reporting readings. I have a feeling Octopus will turn round and say they don't upgrade working SMETS1 meters.
 
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To some degree all maintenance, upgrading and reading of meters is done in geographical chunks if possible, obviously safety will over ride that if a meter is sparking or leaking gas....

I work for one of the biggest providers of these services and a key part of my job is making sure that when such projects are undertaken, where possible, we create density of work to minimise the cost of driving all over the country between jobs.
 
Nabinium said:
I am also on the old SMETS1 smart meter and with Octopus too, but I haven't been offered an upgrade to SMETS2.

Is it worth prodding Octopus for an upgrade? Would I save much from the upgrade? I know it really boils down to your energy usage, but if upgrading helps, then worth it?

That being said, I haven't had many issues with my SMETS1 meter in terms of reporting readings. I have a feeling Octopus will turn round and say they don't upgrade working SMETS1 meters.
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The offer is on my online account, "book your smart meter appointment".

When i click into it, i can see calendar dates for a fitting. Says it takes about an hour.

ETA: sod it! Just booked an install :)
 
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Pretty sure SMETS1 are being moved onto the updated network , so maybe no reason to update to SMETS2
 
ivrytwr3 said:
My meters are old school and i am with Octopus. They are offering free upgrade to SMETS2 in my area.

Haven't signed up yet, but worth doing? There was a lot of negativity when smart meters were first introduced and i haven't really looked into it since.
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Same, got the email from Octopus the other day and have them booked in sometime in October to replace my SMETS1 meters.
 
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Nabinium said:
I am also on the old SMETS1 smart meter and with Octopus too, but I haven't been offered an upgrade to SMETS2.

Is it worth prodding Octopus for an upgrade? Would I save much from the upgrade? I know it really boils down to your energy usage, but if upgrading helps, then worth it?

That being said, I haven't had many issues with my SMETS1 meter in terms of reporting readings. I have a feeling Octopus will turn round and say they don't upgrade working SMETS1 meters.
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SMETS 1 will be replaced but they’ll contact you when it’s the right time. No need to take any action.

Grim5 said:
remotely?
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Yes.

Some old V1 meters comms hubs will stop working as the mobile signal they use is being switched off so they will be replaced. If you have one, you’ll be contacted.
 
Do you guys also have some weirdos who refuse meter upgrades, because they claim the wireless signals is giving them cancer or some other ridiculous crap like the meter is a brain control device being run by the government
 
Yes...

And also because there are meters people tamper with and so they dont want anybody to see them.

Some of the things our people see are terrifying. Such as bypassing gas meters before the pressure regulator with rubber inner tubes hose clamped to pipes.
 
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