View Full Version : Smart Meters?
Apologies if this question has been asked before, but does anyone have any negative views as to why we shouldn't have a smart meter installed. I assume everyone will have them in the future.
Stryder5
12-12-2018, 18:14
Well, they don't actually do anything, other than indicate how much you are using, so a passive device. Allegedly they depend on your supplier, if you change supplier they may not work.
The current operating system will soon be updated and the current meters will be obsolete.
Gary
eisenach
12-12-2018, 18:21
... and, if I've understood correctly, they rely on a mobile phone signal to communicate with base, so that won't work here, then!
No fast internet, no mobile phone signal, wobbly electricity ... but great quality of life.
Son has them. The meter has a sim in it and it communicates with the company and your phone is not absolutely needed
Apologies if this question has been asked before, but does anyone have any negative views as to why we shouldn't have a smart meter installed. I assume everyone will have them in the future.
If you don't pay they can cut you off over the internet instead of having to send a gadgee round who has to gain access, or digging up the road. Likewise if they decide to have rolling blackouts, which is not impossible given the exciting plans for future electricity production.
Stryder5
12-12-2018, 18:32
Son has them. The meter has a sim in it and it communicates with the company and your phone is not absolutely needed
You do need a mobile signal though!
Pigmy Pony
12-12-2018, 18:48
We've had one for a year or two, and we have saved approximately no money. It glows green when my valve amp is on, and red when the tumble dryer is running. So that settled an argument with Mrs. Pony.
My mate flatly refuses to consider getting one, for the same reason he wouldn't have an Amazon echo, he reckons they allow undesirables to spy on your comings and goings.
You do need a mobile signal though!
Correct
SSE installed one for us then uninstalled it when it couldn't find a signal on any network
Apparently new versions that use radio signals are being rolled out next year
Apparently new versions that use radio signals are being rolled out next year
Oh goody - even more RFI pollution to contend with then.
Don't have any. Don't want any. My supplier doesn't use them afaik. I'm happy with my supplier. Bulb
Thanks for everyone's replies, but I think my post has been mis-interpreted, my wording was not so good. My intention was to ask if a smart meter had any negatives re hifi systems and sound quality. That was the reason I posted the thread in Blank Canvas. Apologies for misleading everyone. :doh: I can remember reading a negative many moons ago, but before agreeing to have a smart meter put in now thought I would ask here first.
Though you might have. I don't think so.
Waste of time, pointless, you're going to use what your going to use, don't really see the point for an average household
mad-moon
12-12-2018, 20:32
I'm using smart meters...didn't have a choice..my supplier Utilita installed them, for gas and electric. They told me everyone will be getting them eventually. They have no adverse effect on anything in the home and the hifi sounds great.
I'm using smart meters...didn't have a choice..my supplier Utilita installed them, for gas and electric. They told me everyone will be getting them eventually. They have no adverse effect on anything in the home and the hifi sounds great.
Utilita is the boys supplier of meters too..
Stryder5
12-12-2018, 21:31
I'm using smart meters...didn't have a choice..my supplier Utilita installed them, for gas and electric. They told me everyone will be getting them eventually. They have no adverse effect on anything in the home and the hifi sounds great.
I thought you still had a veto and you can choose not to have them?
Gary
Does your mobile phone effect your hifi?
If not a smart meter won't either
I thought you still had a veto and you can choose not to have them?
Gary
You still do have a choice but in the early days they were telling everyone that they had to have them until there was a bit of an outcry.
sq225917
12-12-2018, 21:41
Nah, I'll pass
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.utwente.nl/en/news/!/2017/3/313543/electronic-energy-meters-false-readings-almost-six-times-higher-than-actual-energy-consumption&ved=2ahUKEwiUy42koZvfAhXPTBUIHbV5D4MQFjAAegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw0FgNALYsK_3v2gdsexpfIQ
mad-moon
12-12-2018, 22:00
I thought you still had a veto and you can choose not to have them?
Gary
I think all of Utilita's meters are smart meters, I got a great deal when I signed up...still with them and still excellent value for money.
RobbieGong
12-12-2018, 22:10
Nah, I'll pass
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.utwente.nl/en/news/!/2017/3/313543/electronic-energy-meters-false-readings-almost-six-times-higher-than-actual-energy-consumption&ved=2ahUKEwiUy42koZvfAhXPTBUIHbV5D4MQFjAAegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw0FgNALYsK_3v2gdsexpfIQ
Me too https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4tBWZvo6Ns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLeCTaSG2-U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHQT16jBFEw
mad-moon
12-12-2018, 23:49
Me too https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4tBWZvo6Ns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLeCTaSG2-U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHQT16jBFEw
what a load of tosh..... there's masts all over the place in most petrol stations inside the big pricing signs....for mobile phones...our house phones are radio phones...wireless routers...dacs...music servers and streamers...just about everything is wireless...even in our cars...we should all be fried according to all the scare mongerers..who have thier own agendas..or just love to here themselves..perhaps we'll refuse to use all our wireless stuff too....everything we do is killing us....fuel exhaust fumes...vapour trails from planes...radio waves...eggs..pretendy sugar..milk..red meat..soya protein..sat navs..the sun...the ozone..the water..food aditives.....road rage. etc etc etc...
montesquieu
13-12-2018, 00:05
... and, if I've understood correctly, they rely on a mobile phone signal to communicate with base, so that won't work here, then!
No fast internet, no mobile phone signal, wobbly electricity ... but great quality of life.
No, they rely on wifi, they piggyback on BT network.
The US youtube videos are a load of nonsense.
No, they rely on wifi, they piggyback on BT network.
The US youtube videos are a load of nonsense.
No they don't, they can't use WiFi, mobile phone network only. No signal no smart meter.
Yup, they use the DCC GSM (mobile) based network to communicate, they are are not connected to the internet or your home WiFi. They do use their own internal 2.4Ghz Zigbee network though to communicate with the displays/read outs etc. Maybe this is where the confusion comes from.
RobbieGong
13-12-2018, 09:54
what a load of tosh..... there's masts all over the place in most petrol stations inside the big pricing signs....for mobile phones...our house phones are radio phones...wireless routers...dacs...music servers and streamers...just about everything is wireless...even in our cars...we should all be fried according to all the scare mongerers..who have thier own agendas..or just love to here themselves..perhaps we'll refuse to use all our wireless stuff too....everything we do is killing us....fuel exhaust fumes...vapour trails from planes...radio waves...eggs..pretendy sugar..milk..red meat..soya protein..sat navs..the sun...the ozone..the water..food aditives.....road rage. etc etc etc...
:lol: It was the titles that caught my eye and I'm glad someones viewed them as I didnt, couldnt be asked as I dont intend on getting one anyway :)
spendorman
13-12-2018, 10:17
My view is avoid as long as possible. One reason is that domestic dumb meters read true power. Smart meters can, and most likely will, be set to read aparrent power. That means they can charge us more electricity if an appliance has a poor power factor.
They can also charge at different rates during the day, so likely will change big money in the evening when demand is more.
They can cut you off remotely if there is a dispute about charges etc.
Many other reasons to avoid.
mad-moon
13-12-2018, 10:27
Anyway getting back to the OP's question...the answer is no...the smart meter will not have any negative effect on your hifi gear...
Thanks for everyone's replies, but I think my post has been mis-interpreted, my wording was not so good. My intention was to ask if a smart meter had any negatives re hifi systems and sound quality. That was the reason I posted the thread in Blank Canvas. Apologies for misleading everyone. :doh: I can remember reading a negative many moons ago, but before agreeing to have a smart meter put in now thought I would ask here first.
montesquieu
13-12-2018, 11:19
No they don't, they can't use WiFi, mobile phone network only. No signal no smart meter.
I stand corrected.
Again thanks for all the replies, I've learnt something. :) Think we will hold off for now and see what happens.
The Black Adder
13-12-2018, 13:08
I've been hearing of the negative effects of smart meters on health until the effects are more known.
IMO I wouldn't have one. Why add even more risk to life? We are all so fragile.
Pigmy Pony
13-12-2018, 14:13
Not really a health issue, but I am sick of advertisers saying how much we can save, when it has made NO difference to our bills.
The premise of smart meters is to make users aware of abnormal use and for users to cut down on consumption (for example turning off lights). Usually there is a small dip in consumption but then most users go back to their normal usage pattern. We have had an Owl meter for years (does the same as a smart meter but no remote readings) and it was entertaining initially but we only now occasionally bother looking at it.
Mind you it was useful to see the reduced impact LED lights had. But there is probably a youtube video somewhere showing how dangerous LEDs are. :eyebrows:
The Owl meter uses the 433mhz frequency and makes no difference to hifi sound quality.
Stryder5
13-12-2018, 15:13
Not really a health issue, but I am sick of advertisers saying how much we can save, when it has made NO difference to our bills.
Everything any advertisement says has to be taken with a pinch of salt.:)
Batteries.....UP TO 100% longer..... So 0.005% is valid.
Dandruff Shampoo....no visible flakes.....small print: viewed from 2 miles away.
Could go on....lol
Gary
The premise of smart meters is to make users aware of abnormal use and for users to cut down on consumption (for example turning off lights). ]
Really only of benefit to those people who are surprised as to how much power a kettle, hoover or washing machine uses. Lots of people out there who will boil a litre of water just to make one mug of tea. For the rest of us who actually have a working brain there's just no benefit.
hifinutt
13-12-2018, 18:01
we have them , makes us very conscious of spending as its about 2 pounds a day in summer and over 6 in winter . definately worth having
we have them , makes us very conscious of spending as its about 2 pounds a day in summer and over 6 in winter . definately worth having
I'm aware of what I spend on it, but if it's the winter and I'm cold I'm going to put heating on regardless. I don't need a smart meter to tell me that's going to cost more than not having it on. And I'm not going to be uncomfortably cold just to save a few quid. Added to which they can cut you off at the click of a mouse. Or integrate you into a rolling blackout without cutting power to the whole neighbourhood. Sorry but I just don't see any positives to having them at all.
mad-moon
13-12-2018, 18:42
we have them , makes us very conscious of spending as its about 2 pounds a day in summer and over 6 in winter . definately worth having
yeah me too...I got a great deal when I signed up...I'm also on pre-pay...If I was to run out...I'd go on emergency...then when that runs out...I'm still not cut off..there's another level..before disconnection, which is a highly unlikely event...I can see exactly what I'm using...I can add credit on line...and I'm getting excellent value for money...rolling blackouts are exremely unlikely, in a developed country such as the UK...I'm confident, I have a working brain..I'm saving lots of money with one of the cheapest power suppliers and I'm very happy with my smart meters.
ps...if you don't pay, you are going to be disconnected...regardless of which meter you have fitted...lifes a bitch..pay...or you won't get it...simple
ps...if you don't pay, you are going to be disconnected...regardless of which meter you have fitted...lifes a bitch..pay...or you won't get it...simple
True but as someone pointed out already, if they screw up and decide you haven't paid even though you have, they can cut you off just like that. If they want to cut me off they have to send out gadgees to dig up the street. What's that going to cost them? I don't like the idea that it's so simple for them to cut you off.
Anyway they said they have to fit mine outside and because of that I have to pay a grand. Told them they were dreaming.
jollyfix
13-12-2018, 19:00
We had one. Never again. Nothing but problems. Apparently there was a problem with the signal. The whole time ( just over a year) we had it , no signal was sent . So we kept having estimated bills. All estimated bills were way off and far too expensive. We finally got them to switch back to a normal old style meter. That was a task and a half as they don't like or want to do that. Many hours, days lost sorting it all out . Never again.. we got our money back, but not the time doing so..
Stryder5
13-12-2018, 19:05
I'm aware of what I spend on it, but if it's the winter and I'm cold I'm going to put heating on regardless. I don't need a smart meter to tell me that's going to cost more than not having it on. And I'm not going to be uncomfortably cold just to save a few quid. Added to which they can cut you off at the click of a mouse. Or integrate you into a rolling blackout without cutting power to the whole neighbourhood. Sorry but I just don't see any positives to having them at all.
I'm with Martin on this, I know I'm going to pay more when it gets cold. I don't like wearing thick clothes when relaxing at home so as regarding cost "it is what it is". I don't need a passive meter indicating my energy consumption.
Where necessary I have fitted movement sensors that turn lights on for a predetermined time then off.
Meters are a gimmick under the guise of energy conservation devices. Their actual purpose will eventually be forthcoming.
Gary
mad-moon
13-12-2018, 19:05
True but as someone pointed out already, if they screw up and decide you haven't paid even though you have, they can cut you off just like that. If they want to cut me off they have to send out gadgees to dig up the street. What's that going to cost them? I don't like the idea that it's so simple for them to cut you off.
Anyway they said they have to fit mine outside and because of that I have to pay a grand. Told them they were dreaming.
a grand is a wee bit excessive...and they are not a meter, I'd like to have outside...anyone who's moaning about being cut off...is cut off for a reason....My small information box of tricks...tells me how much is on the meter...an amber warning light tells when it's low...and a red light...if you drop below a couple of quid...up to now...there hasn't been a single problem...I hope what has been reiterated through the thread doesn't raise its ugly head...and I'm very sceptical, that something like this will happen...touch wood...
Stryder5
13-12-2018, 19:11
a grand is a wee bit excessive...and they are not a meter, I'd like to have outside...anyone who's moaning about being cut off...is cut off for a reason....My small information box of tricks...tells me how much is on the meter...an amber warning light tells when it's low...and a red light...if you drop below a couple of quid...up to now...there hasn't been a single problem...I hope what has been reiterated through the thread doesn't raise its ugly head...and I'm very sceptical, that something like this will happen...touch wood...
Surely if your on a pay up front meter you are paying the highest tariffs the supplier can get away with?
Would a different payment method be a more economic solution ?
Gary
..and I'm very sceptical, that something like this will happen...touch wood...
So am I, but my thinking is we move from a position from where it is not possible for it to happen to one where it is possible, however unlikely. I don't see an up side to that.
The Black Adder
13-12-2018, 19:17
I'm with Martin on this, I know I'm going to pay more when it gets cold. I don't like wearing thick clothes when relaxing at home so as regarding cost "it is what it is". I don't need a passive meter indicating my energy consumption.
Where necessary I have fitted movement sensors that turn lights on for a predetermined time then off.
Meters are a gimmick under the guise of energy conservation devices. Their actual purpose will eventually be forthcoming.
Gary
Data.
That's what it is. Data. Your personal data and it's worth a fortune.
mad-moon
13-12-2018, 19:25
It's honestly cheap as chips...I'm as tight as a ducks arse...If I was being ripped...I'd be off
[QUOTE=Stryder5;1040176]Surely if your on a pay up front meter you are paying the highest tariffs the supplier can get away with?
Would a different payment method be a more economic solution ?
Gary[/QUOT
walpurgis
13-12-2018, 19:32
Just put a chicken wire faraday cage around your meter. That'll fox 'em. :)
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