Testing an Electricity Meter

[ajlelectronics]

I've saved hundreds of pounds

Some tariffs rely on the smart meter data. For example we're billed for each day at a rate which depends on that day's wholesale price. To do that without a smart meter they'd need a meter reading at midnight every day.

Other tariffs charge based on half hourly data. And there are things like the "free electricity 13:00 to 14:00 tomorrow" offers, or the "Saver Sessions" where you're paid £3 for each kWh you reduce your consumption at certain times of day.

It's correct that any tariff using fixed times of day for rate changes, could be done with timeclock and multi-rate meter(s). But suppliers are under pressure to push on with the smart meter rollout, so it makes sense for them to make certain tariffs conditional on having a smart meter, even when there's no technical link.

A Sprat to catch a Mackerel.

 

[ajlelectronics]

It reminds me of the cash argument, people forget cash isn't made by a magic man in the sky, govts have just as much control over it as they do debit and credit cards

They have no control over where it is used (yet) nor any data trail of it.

 

[MattF]

People really need to get on with living their lives, instead of worrying over inconsequential things.

 

[voipio]

They have no control over where it is used (yet) nor any data trail of it.

Plus it works during a power cut or internet glitch.

 

[Kayos]

They have no control over where it is used (yet) nor any data trail of it.

Governments around the world have devalued and withdrawn cash without warning, doesn't sound like freedom to me

 

[Kayos]

i know that but theres nothing stopping them changing it to householders being charged for the collection of said data

id read in a pdf document that they had plans to implement charging household customers for collection of data on top of there bills that they receive already

Please send me your pdf

 

[gaz1]

On your other point there's equally nothing to stop "them" applying a higher standing charge to those without smart meters, reflecting the higher admin cost and financial risk for suppliers. They probably won't because at the moment demand for smart meters outstrips supply, and in the medium term meters reaching end of life and the RTS shutdown will flush out the rest.

Incidentally I've already seen one supplier who's terms and conditions allow them to terminate a customer's supply if they refuse a smart meter.

you refuse a smart meter install they refuse to give you any tariff options

as goes for your comment of financial risk for suppliers thats a load of codswallop the old meter was perfectly exceptable for well over 50 years infact our meter is well at that age and still working fine

as goes for the last comment thats pure bribary to enforce the install of a smart meter against a customer that should be a very interesting court case to be had if they intend to implement it more so when the gov have already issued that customers dont have to except a smart meter install on there property if they dont want to do

 

[not done it yet]

I had a choice and eventually changed to a smart meter from an E7 mechanical switch on an electrical clock- timer two rate meter.

Got caught out by the power crisis due to the Ukraine invasion by the ruskies.

I’m now on a tariff that provides 5 hours at 9.5p/kWh.

For a start, that allows my car to almost always avoid using public charging stations (and further home charging outside that 5 hours would be cheaper than public chargers, if needed).

It also provides me with other cheap power, during those 5 hours, when dishwashers, washing machine, immersion heater, etc can be used. Some, with smart car charging tariffs (or smart cars) can get cheaper rates for longer periods (often whenever their EV is plugged in - apart from peak grid-load periods)

I’ve no idea how much I’ve actually saved, but it is considerable. Drove 110 miles today; it will cost me about £3. One way with cruise on 70mph, return trip at 54mph following a lorry ‘cos I was in no hurry. I guess the lorry was tops at 55mph as it steadily gained on me going downhill but caught it up when it slowed on the uphill parts.

 

[not done it yet]

As regards testing a meter, just run an electric heater of known wattage for long enough to get a reasonable result (all other circuits switched off). Compare with another meter or as many as you please. Would be cheaper, as a test, than what the DNOs want to charge!

I know my meter records 4 Watts when the mains is actually switched off. It could be costing as much as 8-9 quid per annum. But with solar in the summer and the cheap night tariff, the cost is much less than that, for me. I might complain sometime.

 

[aesmith]

as goes for your comment of financial risk for suppliers thats a load of codswallop the old meter was perfectly exceptable for well over 50 years infact our meter is well at that age and still working fine

One of the major reasons customers get into financial trouble is where the supplier doesn't get meter readings an can only bill on estimates. Then eventually the **** hits the fan with an actual reading, uncovering a huge deficit. Receiving regular meter readings and issuing accurate bills goes a long way towards preventing this.

It doesn't just affect suppliers, debt write-off accounts for £28/year for an average customer.

 

[aesmith]

as goes for the last comment thats pure bribary to enforce the install of a smart meter against a customer that should be a very interesting court case to be had if they intend to implement it more so when the gov have already issued that customers dont have to except a smart meter install on there property if they dont want to do

It would indeed be interesting, but I suspect that particular supplier won't last long enough for it to arise. But if it did, then given the customer has willingly signed up on those terms, how would you defend? The clause being ..

"8.4 If You do not have a Smart Meter at Your Premises, We may install one for You. We will arrange an appointment with You for installation. If You repeatedly refuse to allow Us to install a Smart Meter, We may terminate Your Supply Contract immediately."

Only really likely to arise with expired meters, where the supplier is required by law to install a replacement.

 

[Robotstar5]

Reading an interesting article this morning about the north-south divide on smart meters - Linky

 

[aesmith]

Seriously? The body that represents energy companies, Energy UK, has confirmed for the first time"

Everybody has known forever, well ever since smart meters first appeared, that comms hubs in the South use 3G cellular data (O2), whereas the North is covered by the purpose built Arqiva LRR radio network.

 

[Kayos]

Reading an interesting article this morning about the north-south divide on smart meters - Linky

That article is nonsense

I fitted 2000 smart meters in 2004 (needed an easy job) all of them sings SIMs, we had a workforce of 150 and I only did 1 year

That was one North based company

 

[bourbon]

I've just submitted a gas and electric reading to my supplier. They are increasing the amount of frequency they require them. Obviously they hope I will get bored and have a smart meter installed. My meters are in the garage/workshop. It's not a hard job. They once said They weren't sure I submitted the right reading. I e-mailed and told them to send a person out to read it then. Didn't happen.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Only really likely to arise with expired meters, where the supplier is required by law to install a replacement.

Maybe in Scotland, but here they would need to show that the meter was faulty, "time expired" doesn't wash on its own, although it is one of the ruses extensively peddled by EON, for one.

 

[gaz1]

One of the major reasons customers get into financial trouble is where the supplier doesn't get meter readings an can only bill on estimates. Then eventually the **** hits the fan with an actual reading, uncovering a huge deficit. Receiving regular meter readings and issuing accurate bills goes a long way towards preventing this.

It doesn't just affect suppliers, debt write-off accounts for £28/year for an average customer.

i could agree with you on some of that but people do work not everyone is in when they visit for a meter reading

some customers do block a meter reading and thats there own fault

they can get a court order easily enough to fit a new meter on the property they can also do the same to read the meter every 6 months

but they are not wanting to pay a meter reader anymore

 

[gaz1]

It would indeed be interesting, but I suspect that particular supplier won't last long enough for it to arise. But if it did, then given the customer has willingly signed up on those terms, how would you defend? The clause being ..

"8.4 If You do not have a Smart Meter at Your Premises, We may install one for You. We will arrange an appointment with You for installation. If You repeatedly refuse to allow Us to install a Smart Meter, We may terminate Your Supply Contract immediately."

easy enough

they would be issued with a solicitors notice of bribary intent to enforce the install of a said smart meter any further attempts to enforce the install would clearly be seen as harrasement of the customer

refusal of supply would be classified as bribary enforcment to except the smart meter that would be against the customers wishes

that would be canceled with the gov reference that customers do not need to have a smart meter installed if they dont want one fitted

if they wanted to continue further with the terminate the supply ( workers coming out digging up the property to fully cut off the supply )

then a court order can be gained to stop the works or further enforce the non connection of the customer supply

 

[bricol]

Does the panel think I need to stay up half the night to find things to worry about with my non-smart meter, the readings I take from it when they send me a reminder email every month (which they estimate if I don't - and it corrects when I remember next time) and the full bill paid every month by variable direct debit?

Or should I just carry on living life?

 

[aesmith]

Maybe in Scotland, but here they would need to show that the meter was faulty, "time expired" doesn't wash on its own, although it is one of the ruses extensively peddled by EON, for one.

As far as I can see the legislation is UK wide for electricity at any rate. This is the regulation ..

The Meters (Certification) Regulations 1998

These Regulations set out the procedure for enabling meters, other than meters deemed to be certified under the measuring Instruments (EC Requirements) (Electrical Energy Meters) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/2607), used for the purpose of measuring the quantity of electricity supplied to...

www.legislation.gov.uk

Schedule 4 gives the certification periods for approved meters