Any downsides to a smart meter?

Had one years ago must have been first gen cos when we changed suppliers they stopped working.Got the old analogue ones put back in when we changed to Bulb.Since being taken over by Octopus have been trying to get them installed again but to no avail so have given up.
 
Dangerous Dave said:
You don't need to run that, I find the mobile app better.

The main advantage of a smart meter is to get onto a smart tariff which gives you access to wholesale rates, it's been roughly 17-18p average for electricity the last few months. Some time slots they've paid you for using electricity.
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I'm still on dumb meters - if I wanted to upgrade, is there a generally accepted 'best' option for providers?
 
julianhj said:
I'm still on dumb meters - if I wanted to upgrade, is there a generally accepted 'best' option for providers?
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Octopus have been brilliant if you want smart tariffs, and lots of opportunities to save money.

If you just want a flat rate with a dumb meter - just go with whoever's cheapest.
 
Raymond Lin said:
1 - It needs electricity to run....which you have to pay for, I know it's low but it is not free energy.
2 - The old ones, becomes useless when you switch supplier
3 - They can report mistakes and suddenly you end up with a bill in the 5 figures (see plenty of news on this....unlikely but does happen).
4 - It's a good idea to check the meter box now and again, to spot any potential issues in that area.
5 - Don't really want the companies to monitor my daily usage or habit/patterns, more data = easier to target and move peak / off-peak.

I might be getting too cynical and tin foil on the last one but the apart from convenience, I don't see why I need them.
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1. - You could save more money in one day on a smart(er) tariff that it would cost to run a meter for several years.
2. - You wouldn't get an old one if you switch now, and the old SMETS1 can now also be moved to new suppliers.
3. - Likelihood of this happening is usually when you are first switched over and the readings were wrong, so same chance of when you move from a dumb meter to a dumb meter.
4. - Why would you stop looking at your meter just because it is smart?
5. - Peak/Off-peak is the exact problem we have, if you prefer to be part of the problem than the solution then I guess that's a great selfish attitude - then again those of us with self generation and home storage batteries, V2H, and all the other smart better quality of life things would interest you either?

I guess do what you want, but though you were more intelligent than a tabloid media reader.
 
Bug One said:
Octopus have been brilliant if you want smart tariffs, and lots of opportunities to save money.

If you just want a flat rate with a dumb meter - just go with whoever's cheapest.
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Thank you, saving money would be my motivation for having one installed, and I don't think there's much difference in non-smart tariffs at the moment.
 
Business Man said:
Just wait and see what happens then see you'll find out the hard way when they start imposing further restrictions at higher costs. It will be the dumb meters that won't be looking so dumb then
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How long do I have to wait for this 'I told you so moment?'

I'm saving at least £200 a month at the moment... this month I used over 1300kw and paid £92.
 
Bug One said:
How long do I have to wait for this 'I told you so moment?'

I'm saving at least £200 a month at the moment... this month I used over 1300kw and paid £92.
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Over a decade.

With the savings a smart meter allows you could invest in some much Solar and battery storage that peak prices wont matter as you'll never be paying for it. Business man will be though. Ha.

Edit. I didnt make the post above Bizzo Man has quoted me in.
 
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I'm loosing track who's quoting who and saying what.

I've got solar, batteries and EVs. If I was on a dumb meter, my costs would be massive. Smart meter and smart tariffs where I can shift all my use to off peak has saved me loads.
 
Bug One said:
I'm loosing track who's quoting who and saying what.

I've got solar, batteries and EVs. If I was on a dumb meter, my costs would be massive. Smart meter and smart tariffs where I can shift all my use to off peak has saved me loads.
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Ah, but you are being controlled by the government, and you'll soon have a HUUUUGEE bill, and they'll turn off your car charger, then you'll be forced to walk to work, or pay £445,567,.23 per kWh to charge. :cry: :cry:
 
I've been with bulb pretty much since their Inception, been trying to get a smart meter since but always on a waiting list.

Now transferred to octopus and yep still on waiting list.

I've given up on smart meter
 
john_smith said:
Over a decade.

With the savings a smart meter allows you could invest in some much Solar and battery storage that peak prices wont matter as you'll never be paying for it. Business man will be though. Ha.

Edit. I didnt make the post above Bizzo Man has quoted me in.
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Who's to say it will just stop at peak pricing? You will be paying more because they will know when you're using the electricity thanks to your lovely smart meter. Well I hope you have space to house all them ugly battery packs only to scrape a few hours worth of electricity. It will be a shame it won't solve the problem if they decide to remote turn you off for a longer period
 
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