View Full Version : This smart meter must think I'm stupid
Pigmy Pony
17-09-2022, 06:07
https://www.the-ambient.com/media/images/2020/01/smart-meter-guide-1579269219-Je0t-column-width-inline.jpg
Ok, we've had a smart meter for maybe 3 or 4 years now, and I've not really given the supplied display much attention until now, it's been in the dining room where we have to get off our backsides to go and look at it.
But now we have moved it into the lounge where it is on full view all of the time. At the moment the display is set to show electricity usage and money spent so far today.
When we went to bed last night (11pm) the display showed £2.96. Ok, that's not so bad. Then I came into the room at 6.30am and the reading was £1.11. Right now ((7.05am) it is showing £1.13, that's 2p in 30 minutes.
I think the energy company is sneaking some "usage" onto my meter when I'm not looking, ie asleep. Anyone here have any idea what's going on?
Incidently, our display is like the one in the pic. When I got up it was showing two green bars (2 fridges, 2 freezers and wall light in lounge), and when I switched the 'big light' it went up to 4.Switching on my MF A5 amp and CD player added 1 more bar. All of which have been on since I got up and cost the 2p my display has er, displayed.
Edit: we're now at £1.14! Something not right here
Firebottle
17-09-2022, 06:34
Two of the largest consumption devices are fridges and freezers, because they are plugged in 24/7.
What have you got in your 'big light'? No Leds yet? All our lights are Led.
I binned mine.
They give you a device that plugs into the mains to help you save electricity, yeah that's smart right enough.
Stuff is either switched on or it isn't that's how you save electricity.
what is the power consumption of the display unit? Even if it is low it is still on all the time. Over a year that's going to add up now the price has gone nuts.
I'd get rid of one of those freezers for a start. How much frozen food do you need to have in storage at any one time?
Pigmy Pony
17-09-2022, 07:08
Two of the largest consumption devices are fridges and freezers, because they are plugged in 24/7.
What have you got in your 'big light'? No Leds yet? All our lights are Led.
No, 40W old school bulbs. Three of them. Should probably do something about that. Take your point about the fridges/freezers, but Anita likes to 'stock up' on things that are on offer, so some money is saved in doing that.
But as you say, they are on 24/7, and this is my point - less than 3 quid in 24 hours, but over a third of that is during sleepy time, when we are not using the telly, kettle, coffee maker, microwave, electric cooker, hifi, lights, etc. There's a con here somewhere. Thank God the 'adult toy' works off batteries :eyebrows:
you will have usage from 00.00 to 6.30 plus the daily charge. mine is at £1.11 AND GAS IS UP TO 64P. usually 35p so i reset the thermometer to 18c and it must have kicked in at on point costing 29p..
Pigmy Pony
17-09-2022, 07:19
you will have usage from 00.00 to 6.30 plus the daily charge. mine is at £1.11 AND GAS IS UP TO 64P. usually 35p so i reset the thermometer to 18c and it must have kicked in at on point costing 29p..
Daily charge! Maybe that's what it is... I'm going to stay up past my bedtime tonight, see what happens at midnight.
Wakefield Turntables
17-09-2022, 07:46
https://www.the-ambient.com/media/images/2020/01/smart-meter-guide-1579269219-Je0t-column-width-inline.jpg
Ok, we've had a smart meter for maybe 3 or 4 years now, and I've not really given the supplied display much attention until now, it's been in the dining room where we have to get off our backsides to go and look at it.
But now we have moved it into the lounge where it is on full view all of the time. At the moment the display is set to show electricity usage and money spent so far today.
When we went to bed last night (11pm) the display showed £2.96. Ok, that's not so bad. Then I came into the room at 6.30am and the reading was £1.11. Right now ((7.05am) it is showing £1.13, that's 2p in 30 minutes.
I think the energy company is sneaking some "usage" onto my meter when I'm not looking, ie asleep. Anyone here have any idea what's going on?
Incidently, our display is like the one in the pic. When I got up it was showing two green bars (2 fridges, 2 freezers and wall light in lounge), and when I switched the 'big light' it went up to 4.Switching on my MF A5 amp and CD player added 1 more bar. All of which have been on since I got up and cost the 2p my display has er, displayed.
Edit: we're now at £1.14! Something not right here
Do you own an electric car? Have you conisdered using the car to power the house? It's a very popular concept in the States. Additionally do you use a dish washer? I worked out that mine cost 87p (94p including the washing tab) to use every time on eco setting :eek:. Thats approx £343 yearly. You will eventually reach a level of consumption where you simply can't reduce any further and that will be your daily usage, you will then soon be able to work out your bills. I don't have a smart meter fitted, I hate them!
No, 40W old school bulbs. Three of them. Should probably do something about that. Take your point about the fridges/freezers, but Anita likes to 'stock up' on things that are on offer, so some money is saved in doing that.
:
Under the old rates a modern freezer would cost about £50 a year to run, the rate has roughly doubled so that's £100 a year and goes up again in October so will be around £125 a year. If the freezer is old and sited in a warm environment, you could double or triple that. So running two old freezers located in a warm house could cost you £800 a year from October.
Pigmy Pony
17-09-2022, 07:57
Do you own an electric car? Have you conisdered using the car to power the house? It's a very popular concept in the States. Additionally do you use a dish washer? I worked out that mine cost 87p (94p including the washing tab) to use every time on eco setting :eek:. Thats approx £343 yearly. You will eventually reach a level of consumption where you simply can't reduce any further and that will be your daily usage, you will then soon be able to work out your bills. I don't have a smart meter fitted, I hate them!
Andrew, that's an interesting point you make about the electric cars: you use electric to charge the car, then the car hands back the electricity to the house? Is it to do with off-peak rates? If so, I can see that working :) Not that we have an electric car.
Re. the dishwashing: Yes we have a dishwasher, but not used it in months. And we have stopped washing up as-we-go, and started to let it all pile up through the day and do them all at once.
only some cars can do this here at moment. you need of course a good off peak rate.. i dont have off peak so just charge ccar when it suits.. was talk that they might start paying us not to use power in peak times.. im up for that.:D i dont have a dishwasher, except me of course... intend dropping to one freezer too as soon as the stuff in the oldest one is used. its probably inefficient as its about 40+ yrs old. also intend getting a new fridge next yr
only some cars can do this here at moment. you need of course a good off peak rate.. i dont have off peak so just charge ccar when it suits.. was talk that they might start paying us not to use power in peak times.. im up for that.:D i dont have a dishwasher, except me of course... intend dropping to one freezer too as soon as the stuff in the oldest one is used. its probably inefficient as its about 40+ yrs old. also intend getting a new fridge next yr
Might look at a new fridge, had mine about 15 years and it was second-hand so no idea how old it really is. The door is a bit rusted up but I can live with that.
I wonder if new ones are more energy efficient? Mine does not have a freezer compartment so it must use less power than one that does, even a new eco friendly one.
Wakefield Turntables
17-09-2022, 08:14
My valve systems probably use the most power in our house. Dishwasher, fridge freezer and then washing machine. The valve system is one of only pleasures, so that's not going anywhere, I have to use the fridge and the washing machine, so it's dish washing for me. All lights are LED. TBH we are pretty frugal with energy usage, so I'm happy in the fact that we use nearly at our base line for energy usage.
Pigmy Pony
17-09-2022, 08:20
Under the old rates a modern freezer would cost about £50 a year to run, the rate has roughly doubled so that's £100 a year and goes up again in October so will be around £125 a year. If the freezer is old and sited in a warm environment, you could double or triple that. So running two old freezers located in a warm house could cost you £800 a year from October.
Those are scary costs, and probably not justified by 2-for-1 pizzas.
The kitchen fridge-freezer is being changed next month for something that I assume will be more efficient. The other fridge and chest freezer are out in the garage. Gets bloody cold in there. The freezer is brim-full, but the fridge is very under-used, and currently has a couple of cans of pop. So that's going out of the picture now.
Might look at a new fridge, had mine about 15 years and it was second-hand so no idea how old it really is. The door is a bit rusted up but I can live with that.
I wonder if new ones are more energy efficient? Mine does not have a freezer compartment so it must use less power than one that does, even a new eco friendly one.
door fell off mine a couple of yrs ago so i did an inventive repair which i thought might last a couple of months. this was during covid when you couldnt get diddlysquat.. its still working yet... was a good buy those fancy washers...was more than washers of course but they are reason its not fallen off yet.
the ratings used to be A being best, but they have changed ratings system now yet again... just a way to get folk to buy again imo
door fell off mine a couple of yrs ago so i did an inventive repair which i thought might last a couple of months. this was during covid when you couldnt get diddlysquat.. its still working yet... was a good buy those fancy washers...was more than washers of course but they are reason its not fallen off yet.
the ratings used to be A being best, but they have changed ratings system now yet again... just a way to get folk to buy again imo
That's what I suspect. I know you can buy a device that shows how much each appliance is really using but no idea what they are called or where you get them.
Wakefield Turntables
17-09-2022, 10:37
Those are scary costs, and probably not justified by 2-for-1 pizzas.
The kitchen fridge-freezer is being changed next month for something that I assume will be more efficient. The other fridge and chest freezer are out in the garage. Gets bloody cold in there. The freezer is brim-full, but the fridge is very under-used, and currently has a couple of cans of pop. So that's going out of the picture now.
The garage is the best place for these devices. The thermostat works to keep them cool, that's where your money gones. Thermostat has to work less when in a very cold environment and less money spent cooling your fridge/freezer!
Living room will be cold enough this year won't need a freezer [emoji6][emoji23]
just deployed a brand new convection heater. The old one packed in last spring. Minimum setting is 750W so I reckon about 20p/hour to run = a quid a day or thereabouts. 25p an hour come October though. It does heat the room pretty effectively since you can place it centrally, unlike a radiator or a fire.
Pigmy Pony
17-09-2022, 12:00
just deployed a brand new convection heater. The old one packed in last spring. Minimum setting is 750W so I reckon about 20p/hour to run = a quid a day or thereabouts. 25p an hour come October though. It does heat the room pretty effectively since you can place it centrally, unlike a radiator or a fire.
And of course you've got the Krell :)
And of course you've got the Krell :)
The big one is very effective at heating the room up since it is essentially a 650 watt fan heater that amplifies audio signals as a side-line.
Another issue with 'Smart' Meters is incorrect readings and huge bills due to errors, which you won't know about until they take the money from your bank account then the fight to get it back, because, how can the meter be wrong?
Pigmy Pony
17-09-2022, 15:41
Another issue with 'Smart' Meters is incorrect readings and huge bills due to errors, which you won't know about until they take the money from your bank account then the fight to get it back, because, how can the meter be wrong?
Is this a thing? I've never seen any documented evidence to support this, but then I haven't been looking.
Maybe sometimes such errors would go in our favour, then the energy company will be faced with the problem of getting their money and effectively admitting their smart meters are a piece of shit. That kind of publicity would do them no good at all.
Wakefield Turntables
17-09-2022, 17:43
Is this a thing? I've never seen any documented evidence to support this, but then I haven't been looking.
Maybe sometimes such errors would go in our favour, then the energy company will be faced with the problem of getting their money and effectively admitting their smart meters are a piece of shit. That kind of publicity would do them no good at all.
Yes this does occur and that's why I won't have one in the house. I submit a meter reading every month and pay exactly whats used. I never build up excess credit with these scumbags, my money stays in my bank account earning ME interest.
Pigmy Pony
17-09-2022, 18:52
Yes this does occur and that's why I won't have one in the house. I submit a meter reading every month and pay exactly whats used. I never build up excess credit with these scumbags, my money stays in my bank account earning ME interest.
Yes that makes sense. Though as I am on a pre-payment meter I like to keep a reasonable amount of credit. What I don't want is a last minute dash to buy credit in order to keep the lights on.
Wakefield Turntables
17-09-2022, 20:01
Yes that makes sense. Though as I am on a pre-payment meter I like to keep a reasonable amount of credit. What I don't want is a last minute dash to buy credit in order to keep the lights on.
Dosen't pre-payment cost more?
Firebottle
18-09-2022, 06:24
That's what I thought as well. Get that changed Steve and go onto a monthly account is my advice.
Wakefield Turntables
18-09-2022, 07:40
Octopus are quite good. They are quite receptive to giving your money back if they take too much. You can set your own DD and pay monthly.
Pigmy Pony
18-09-2022, 07:43
Yes I think it will cost a bit more, how much I do not know. I will speak with the boss when she gets up, she deals with that stuff. I'll leave her alone for now - her lie-ins are my chance to play the music she doesn't like :) Which right now is Jean Michel Jarre Zoolook.
We are following your advice though Alan, and getting LED'd up. I pointed out the effect the big light was having on the meter display and she was horrified And we're getting a new kitchen next month with new lighting and a (probably) more efficient fridge freezer.
They're changing to all LED lighting at work. The cost of doing it is significant, but the savings are so high it will pay for itself in less than two years.
Pigmy Pony
18-09-2022, 07:54
Octopus are quite good. They are quite receptive to giving your money back if they take too much. You can set your own DD and pay monthly.
That sounds good, and I'll put that to her. But there'll be a reason she chose to go onto pre-payment, I just can't remember what it is. Probably to do with not owing anyone. Ultimately I'll let it be her decision - when something turns to crap I'd rather be able to say "I told you so" than have her say it to me ;)
Pigmy Pony
18-09-2022, 10:06
Just been round the house doing a bulb audit, and it turns out almost all the bulbs are LED! who knew? Just the big light in the lounge, and the kitchen which is being done next month. Also a clear out of a kitchen cupboard has just thrown up a dozen more LED bulbs of assorted values.
So I really am as green as I am gormless looking.
cant reach my bulbs so no idea tbh. most were smart bulbs at one time but they stopped working with either the wifi or bulbs themselves so what came to hand at time was put in.
Wakefield Turntables
18-09-2022, 11:17
Yes I think it will cost a bit more, how much I do not know. I will speak with the boss when she gets up, she deals with that stuff. I'll leave her alone for now - her lie-ins are my chance to play the music she doesn't like :) Which right now is Jean Michel Jarre Zoolook.
We are following your advice though Alan, and getting LED'd up. I pointed out the effect the big light was having on the meter display and she was horrified And we're getting a new kitchen next month with new lighting and a (probably) more efficient fridge freezer.
Just to move things on a little for you, what about scrapping and selling all your old units, this could go towards cost of new LEDS, the white goods might fetch a few quid as well, again, recycle the money back into the LED's! Amazon also have "black" days where they sell everything off cheap, might be worthwhile ordering a big batch and get the reduction, it'll work out even cheaper still if you can get someone to place the order who has a prime account (free P&P).
Pigmy Pony
18-09-2022, 11:30
Just to move things on a little for you, what about scrapping and selling all your old units, this could go towards cost of new LEDS, the white goods might fetch a few quid as well, again, recycle the money back into the LED's! Amazon also have "black" days where they sell everything off cheap, might be worthwhile ordering a big batch and get the reduction, it'll work out even cheaper still if you can get someone to place the order who has a prime account (free P&P).
Don't really have anything in the old kitchen worth selling, though we do have a drawer full of old batteries, some of which will work :) As I said earlier, almost all the bulbs are actually LED - Mrs. P has been changing them as and when for a quite a long time. Without telling me.
Wakefield Turntables
18-09-2022, 12:37
Up-cycle the unit carcases (sic?), people buy these and just put new doors on them, hey presto, new cheaper kitchen!
Sherwood
18-09-2022, 13:43
Thinks or Knows? :laugh::laugh::laugh:
Pigmy Pony
18-09-2022, 15:45
Up-cycle the unit carcases (sic?), people buy these and just put new doors on them, hey presto, new cheaper kitchen!
The carcasses are mostly shagged. The kitchen was originally fitted by a total piss-head who sometimes failed to turn up, and once came to work already pissed. And stole a couple of bottles of vodka when job was "finished". But this was the guy our landlord sent. The house is rented, I probably should have led with that.
If the carcasses weren't knackered I would have changed the doors long ago. And the work to be done includes new flooring, ceiling, lighting, tiles... the cabinets account for only a small portion of the cost.
Wakefield Turntables
18-09-2022, 15:48
Wow! A kitchen built on vodka that’s impressive.
Pigmy Pony
18-09-2022, 16:03
Thinks or Knows? :laugh::laugh::laugh:
Hey I'm not the one trying to shoot the King's deer with a bent arrow :doh:even I know that won't work, and I only have one brain cell... The original question was really about my apparent usage during the night - what does your band of merry men think is the problem?
I thought you were going to stay up till midnight last night to see what happens? I bet you forgot all about that. I know I would have.
Filterlab
18-09-2022, 20:09
I trust a smart meter about as much as I trust a government minister.
They're both full of bulls**t.
Sherwood
18-09-2022, 22:14
To my understanding billing is not based on the Smart Meter readings but rather the main supply meter. The Smart Meter is only a guide to current usage levels and costs.
My solution would be not to use the device if you are unhappy with it.
BTW. I think you are confusing me with my mate Robin.
Pigmy Pony
19-09-2022, 07:20
I thought you were going to stay up till midnight last night to see what happens? I bet you forgot all about that. I know I would have.
I forgot, but Anita stayed up. It went back to zero she said, then the amount changed very slowly. It didn't suddenly increase by a significant amount as I expected, but probably waited till she'd gone to bed. Sneaky little shite.
We're only in September, but already the house is being taken over by damp laundry. Too cool and wet outside, and with no heating on in the house, it can only get worse as we move towards autumn/winter. Biggest problem is with towels.
Pigmy Pony
19-09-2022, 07:40
My solution would be not to use the device if you are unhappy with it.
BTW. I think you are confusing me with my mate Robin.
Probably, it's hard to keep up. I've seen him look like Richard Greene, Kev Costner, Errol Flynn and countless others :doh:
As for your comment about the display, yes that is my understanding too. It really just serves as a guide, informing us about relative costs of various appliances, but for the most part it isn't telling me something I don't already know.
Sherwood
19-09-2022, 08:19
Where I live, Sherwood Forest is at the end of my street, everything has a Robin Hood connection. Street names, fast food outlets, pubs.
It gets a bit much at times.
Probably, it's hard to keep up. I've seen him look like Richard Greene, Kev Costner, Errol Flynn and countless others :doh:
As for your comment about the display, yes that is my understanding too. It really just serves as a guide, informing us about relative costs of various appliances, but for the most part it isn't telling me something I don't already know.
I forgot, but Anita stayed up. It went back to zero she said, then the amount changed very slowly. It didn't suddenly increase by a significant amount as I expected, but probably waited till she'd gone to bed. Sneaky little shite.
We're only in September, but already the house is being taken over by damp laundry. Too cool and wet outside, and with no heating on in the house, it can only get worse as we move towards autumn/winter. Biggest problem is with towels.
may well go on later than 00.01 tho. lol. who knows all i know is it seems to get added to mine
Where I live, Sherwood Forest is at the end of my street, everything has a Robin Hood connection. Street names, fast food outlets, pubs.
It gets a bit much at times.
bound to be a friar tucks eatery??
Sherwood
19-09-2022, 08:30
Yes, Friar Tucks Cafe (no apostrophe). :nono:
walter scott was mostly responsible for the romantic view we have now.. but there was a robin hood of sorts i think... dont think he gave his loot to the poor tho lol
Pigmy Pony
19-09-2022, 08:56
Where I live, Sherwood Forest is at the end of my street, everything has a Robin Hood connection. Street names, fast food outlets, pubs.
It gets a bit much at times.
Capitalising on a bit of history(?) I suppose. is there a Friar Tuck burger bar? I bet there is :) At least your Robin Hood statue seems to be staying put - if it had gone up in Chorley it would have been nicked by now. And languishing in someone's back garden, dressed in Primark gear.
he must have got about a bit since there's a Friar Tuck's (with apostrophe) in Northern Ireland too:
http://www.friartucks.ie/banbridge?COLLCC=2586468171&
And one in Florida which wisely avoids the issue of the possessional apostrophe - :https://thefriartuck.com/menu
- made me hungry reading that menu.
Pigmy Pony
19-09-2022, 09:26
https://thefriartuck.com/menu[/url]
- made me hungry reading that menu.
Looks like the place to be, there is Starbucks, Taco Bell, Burger King and an Indian restaurant all within spitting distance. But first a visit to Walmart (two blocks away) for some elasticated trousers.
Making me hungry too, but all I have is toast with marmalade. And a posh coffee
Filterlab
19-09-2022, 09:51
Is there a shop for new hookers?
Triar *uck?
Looks like the place to be, there is Starbucks, Taco Bell, Burger King and an Indian restaurant all within spitting distance. But first a visit to Walmart (two blocks away) for some elasticated trousers.
Making me hungry too, but all I have is toast with marmalade. And a posh coffee
They are opening a Starbucks around the corner from me. Can't believe it.
They are opening a Starbucks around the corner from me. Can't believe it.
had a starbucks coffee once, and only once. nasty lol
Filterlab
19-09-2022, 11:02
had a starbucks coffee once, and only once. nasty lol
Yeah, it's always horrible. Frequented by people who "think" they're buying good coffee.
There's a coffee house in Norwich called 'Strangers'. It is the best coffee I've ever had bar none. They buy the beans directly from the farmers by the container load.
Yeah, it's always horrible. Frequented by people who "think" they're buying good coffee.
There's a coffee house in Norwich called 'Strangers'. It is the best coffee I've ever had bar none. They buy the beans directly from the farmers by the container load.
i usually get mine from a supplier in bristol, but also on occasion from wales. great beans. also a really dark mixer from italy that i add in in small quantities. i like blending my beans
had a starbucks coffee once, and only once. nasty lol
I've only had one once too, in San Diego I think it was. Yes, it wasn't great. Not sure who they think will be buying five quid coffees around here. Most people haven't got tuppence to rub together. Must be aimed at the students, I suppose.
five quid!!! i'll need to start selling mine:D.. say, 2 quid a cup...i'd make a fortune
five quid!!! i'll need to start selling mine:D.. say, 2 quid a cup...i'd make a fortune
Looks like I was exaggerating, It's 'only' three quid for a normal coffee, £4.31 seems to be the most expensive one they do.
Sherwood
19-09-2022, 12:24
There are poems to the character going back centuries.
However Maid Marian, Friar Tuck et al are largely a Hollywood embellishment.
https://www.worksopguardian.co.uk/news/people/ancient-manuscript-with-first-mention-of-robin-hood-confirms-he-doesnt-belong-in-nottingham-says-sheriff-3443632
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny2SELGph5w
walter scott was mostly responsible for the romantic view we have now.. but there was a robin hood of sorts i think... dont think he gave his loot to the poor tho lol
Pigmy Pony
19-09-2022, 12:46
They are opening a Starbucks around the corner from me. Can't believe it.
Only had Starbucks once, didn't care for it. Costa and Cafe Nero are better I think (Costa is Anita's favourite), but the "independents" can be so much better. The problem is finding one to your taste, they are all different. We called in one Saturday (Cafe Bar Preston) while out amp shopping, and it was nice enough but rather tiny. And about 4 quid a pop.
Mark up must be huge, you wouldn't have to sell many to make a living.
You could do it Grant - knock a hole in the side of your house for a serving hatch. You'll have to move the car over a bit to make space for ladies who want muffins with their coffee.
Sherwood
19-09-2022, 16:08
If you are interested in the economics of coffee ........
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/10/economics-coffee-cup-costs-break-down
got my fuel increase info through... could be worse i guess.. about 20% up; maybe 21..
Stranraer
07-10-2022, 19:04
Bit late to the party but hope the following is helpful........
As stated in a different thread the In Home Display you've photographed isn't calibrated in the way the actual meter is and the data is only for reference for the customer.
The IHD doesn't commmunicate with your supplier and doesn't affect your bill.
It receives realtime usage data wirelessly from the actual meter and uses an algorithm to give the customer some pointers as to whether they're using more or less than "usual".
When they are first plugged in the average usage is zero, so turn on the kettle the first time and it poos itself, goes into overdrive at the massive increase and tells the customer their usage is WAY above normal.
After a few weeks the algorithm starts understanding what the household's average usage is, be it a studio flat or mansion with swimming pool, and only alerts the customer when usage spikes above that.
Don't get too hung up on the figures it gives In The Moment, and as someone has already said, if you want to save money turn off anything that doesn't need to be on, and Off means at the wall, not on Standby.
If anyone has any concerns about usage or charges it's a field I'm familiar with so feel free to drop me a line if you think I may be able to assist.
Needless to say, this doesn't mean I'll contribute to your bill itself :lol:
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