The Smart Meter Con

[Dude111]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

We are being conned.

Exactly... Its good of you to know this!!

[Mr K]

Yes but people love looking at read outs. I have the inside/outside temperature projected onto the bedroom wall every night, it's fascinating
However I've resisted the urge for a smart meter, far too boring. Plus you'd never use the tumble drier again...

[nomadking]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

Time of use tariff can only benefit the supplier. No way can it benefit the customer. In this century, we should be able to have power on tap at a uniform price 24x7x365.\

So which country on this planet is able to manage that, whatever the level of demand?

we should be able to have power on tap at a uniform price 24x7x365

Isnt that what the normal/standard rate is ?
Mine is the same at all times of the day, 7 days a week.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by nomadking

So which country on this planet is able to manage that, whatever the level of demand?

Germany?

---------- Post added at 20:26 ---------- Previous post was at 20:21 ----------

Originally Posted by Paul

Isnt that what the normal/standard rate is ?
Mine is the same at all times of the day, 7 days a week.

Smart meters are able to show cost. If the provider has variable tariffs according to daily changes in regional use, then they can implement them there and then for people to stare at their meters and have a heart attack.

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

Smart meters are able to show cost. If the provider has variable tariffs according to daily changes in regional use, then they can implement them there and then for people to stare at their meters and have a heart attack.

Im perfectly aware of that, However, you stated ;

"we should be able to have power on tap at a uniform price 24x7x365 "

Thats already how it works for the vast majority of people.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Paul

Im perfectly aware of that, However, you stated ;

"we should be able to have power on tap at a uniform price 24x7x365 "

Thats already how it works for the vast majority of people.

We might be at cross-purposes. I'm looking ahead to when the suppliers implement their variable TOD/load tariffs. It's dipping into our pockets again.

[Chrysalis]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

We might be at cross-purposes. I'm looking ahead to when the suppliers implement their variable TOD/load tariffs. It's dipping into our pockets again.

The tariffs already exist and are currently considerably cheaper than the government cap rates and have been for most of the past 6 months. Martin has also caught on now and been recommending them to people who arent risk averse on his ITV show.

http://mysmartenergy.uk/Tracker/Southern-England

The red line on that graph is unit rate for the government cap.

Its similar on Agile (time of day electric) where big chunks of the day are cheaper.

I think you seem to be extremely risk averse so prefer an assured price 24/7 than a variable follow wholesale costs type of pricing. Even if it means you paying too much at off peak periods, knowing that you wont pay more than your assured price at peak.

Currently my agile tariff is capped at the government unit rate so ironically I have the same assurance as you now (with half of the standing charge) and cheaper off peak pricing.

I do believe choice is king so I wouldnt be against legacy tariffs remaining available as a choice for risk averse people. (smart meters can be used on legacy pricing, you not required to use a time of day or tracker tariff)

Attaching my today electric costs. it also shows the price I am paying today for gas.

Even better is these costs arent subsidised, they are "naturally" cheaper, the current SVR (fixed unit rates) would be much higher without the government subsidies.

[nashville]

Originally Posted by Paul

Its amazing how easy it is to read your own meter, I do it every month

Me too, The same date every. Month,

[Taf]

Originally Posted by nashville

Me too, The same date every. Month,

I have weekly readings since 2nd August 1987.

[nomadking]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

Germany?

---------- Post added at 20:26 ---------- Previous post was at 20:21 ----------



Smart meters are able to show cost. If the provider has variable tariffs according to daily changes in regional use, then they can implement them there and then for people to stare at their meters and have a heart attack.

Germany had to have plans in place for gas shortages. IIRC Legally domestic gas cannot be cut off, but industrial usage can. Bear in mind the more recent energy prices increases started in part due to German shortage of gas for electricity generation. They over-relied on wind power and ran short on gas., because they were shutting down nuclear and coal.


In the US, some areas, do have daily changes for regional shortages, and the prices can be scary.

[Chrysalis]

Got sent a neat device from Octopus (Octopus mini,) and now dont need the IHD, just view all live, and current day usage in the app, really neat.

[Ms NTL]

Originally Posted by Chrysalis

Got sent a neat device from Octopus (Octopus mini,) and now dont need the IHD, just view all live, and current day usage in the app, really neat.

No fluffy octopus and now, no mini octopus, the queue is 11,000 long. Pissed off.

[Chrysalis]

Originally Posted by Ms NTL

No fluffy octopus and now, no mini octopus, the queue is 11,000 long. Pissed off.

I only applied for this about a month or two ago, so didnt take me long to get to front of queue. I would apply.

[tweetiepooh]

Originally Posted by Taf

I have weekly readings since 2nd August 1987.

My wife has daily reading since around 2011 when we had the solar panels installed. Gas, electric and generated.