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Electricity company and pressure to get a smart meter

Kate Kestrel

Does anybody else get stressed about their energy company keep pressuring them to get a Smart Meter? I’m getting so sick of it and this time I think they’re trying to scare me into getting one and I’m so stressed about it. Does anyone on here have an answer to this problem? I’m thinking of switching to Octopus energy, but will they just do the same and pressure me to get one as well?

Any advice would be appreciated regarding this.

Parents

  • There is currently no legal requirement to have a smart meter. You can ignore them and there is nothing the can do.

    The long term objective is to have variable pricing during the day based on overall demand. To enable this the energy companies need people to have smart meters.

    Eventually you may get cheaper electricity at some times and more expensive at other times, rather than just a flat rate (or 2 rates, day & night) at the moment. This is not in place yet.

    They want it to be like plane tickets. To manage demand by varying the price. This allows them to encourage people to use energy when it is available, like wind is blowing or the sun is shining, rather than when you want it. It is part of net zero.

    It saves you having to submit readings, if the radio in the meter works and not all do. It also allows you to see how much energy you use, but you already know the kettle uses a lot and you aren't going to stop having tea, so it has limited benefits. You may be able access slightly cheaper tariffs if you have one, but you don't really save anything unless you change what you do, like turn off more lights, use the microwave less, buy a more efficient freezer, etc.

    The main beneficiaries in the long term are the energy companies as they can be more efficient. The government like it as they think using less energy is good as it reduces carbon emissions.

    They also need it to help manage the network when all cars are electric and heating is electric, but we'll see how far that gets.

Reply

  • There is currently no legal requirement to have a smart meter. You can ignore them and there is nothing the can do.

    The long term objective is to have variable pricing during the day based on overall demand. To enable this the energy companies need people to have smart meters.

    Eventually you may get cheaper electricity at some times and more expensive at other times, rather than just a flat rate (or 2 rates, day & night) at the moment. This is not in place yet.

    They want it to be like plane tickets. To manage demand by varying the price. This allows them to encourage people to use energy when it is available, like wind is blowing or the sun is shining, rather than when you want it. It is part of net zero.

    It saves you having to submit readings, if the radio in the meter works and not all do. It also allows you to see how much energy you use, but you already know the kettle uses a lot and you aren't going to stop having tea, so it has limited benefits. You may be able access slightly cheaper tariffs if you have one, but you don't really save anything unless you change what you do, like turn off more lights, use the microwave less, buy a more efficient freezer, etc.

    The main beneficiaries in the long term are the energy companies as they can be more efficient. The government like it as they think using less energy is good as it reduces carbon emissions.

    They also need it to help manage the network when all cars are electric and heating is electric, but we'll see how far that gets.

Children
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