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Re: Removing smart meter
It is true the electricity companies can use smart meters to offer flexible tariffs, but they are not compulsory and from what I've seen of Scottish Power's not very competitive. Off-peak is 7:30PM to 23:59 on one of their offerings. So peak rate is midnight to early evening and not as low a rate as a normal tariff. Things may change and more competitive offering become available. For electric vehicle owners their are already a few flexible low overnight tariffs.
What is more interesting is the potential to be paid to feed into the grid at peak time from home storage (including electric vehicles) or solar panels to balance the load, but for the majority this is still some way off.
As consumers we are charged a fixed rate tariff, but in reality electricity generation is priced half-hourly and the prices published one day ahead (based on weather predictions and other factors), smart meters in theory should allow consumers some control over when to use high consumption devices or feed back to the grid to cut the bills, it remains to be seen whether any of this actually happens.
What is more interesting is the potential to be paid to feed into the grid at peak time from home storage (including electric vehicles) or solar panels to balance the load, but for the majority this is still some way off.
As consumers we are charged a fixed rate tariff, but in reality electricity generation is priced half-hourly and the prices published one day ahead (based on weather predictions and other factors), smart meters in theory should allow consumers some control over when to use high consumption devices or feed back to the grid to cut the bills, it remains to be seen whether any of this actually happens.
Re: Removing smart meter
Hi, I’m experiencing similar scenario in that a smart meter was installed in Feb 2019 and it’s not recorded an accurate reading since. Scottish Power has billed me a horrendous amount that’s way above usual use before smart meter was installed. In the past, I always ensured that accurate readings were provided, but the smart meter has been installed it’s not recording anything. I’ve gone to Ombusman but that pays lip-service; problems with smart meter reading and billing continues. I’ve been a loyal customer of Scottish Power for a few years, but now I’m off. I don’t trust this energy provider anymore. Strange, I’m being charged a huge amount and I’m never really at home!
Re: Removing smart meter
@SomersetBob My concern is there's more than one way to skin a cat. Smart meters were going to be compulsory until the government relented, not the energy providers. THEY got stung with the targets instead. So what have the suppliers done.... begun to make smart meter installaton mandatory for acceptance to the better tariffs. There are even people posting on here who're bewildered because they've gotten smart meter installation appointments when they didn't even know accepting their new tariff meant they'd said 'yes' to having them..
I can see the same thing happening with Frivolous 5. What we'll eventually see is that when your current tariff ends, there won't BE a tariff available that ISN'T a peak-rate flexi. To me, that means compulsory.
I can see the same thing happening with Frivolous 5. What we'll eventually see is that when your current tariff ends, there won't BE a tariff available that ISN'T a peak-rate flexi. To me, that means compulsory.
Re: Removing smart meter
Had smart meter since early 2017. This is the Mk1 meter. Changed tariff on September 1st 2019 and was told by SP Call Centre Agent that it would take 4-6 weeks for the tariff to be updated on the meter. It is now 10 weeks and still no update. SP say that this is a known problem!!. What is the point in having a smart meter if it does not give you the correct tariff and usage costs??. The meter did update the tariff on September 1st but the standing charges and unit cost details bear no resemblance to what they should be showing.
Re: Removing smart meter
@Dogwalker You are right, updating tariffs to your home Display is the weakest part of the smart system and very frequently the costs on the display are completely wrong. If you can live with it the meter transmissions should be working and the Display does show kWh and m3 units correctly. The costs on the Display frighten a lot of people who expect it to be their bill, which of course it isn't. I think this is an industry problem, not just SP.
Re: Removing smart meter
i quit regret had been installed in that tricky smart meter that I can't see any correct figur ! when they persuade you to install said 'free', but later charged more than about £46.00 since then on, you need let the LED bright all the time , and I believe they can do remote conduct the number and my payment always higher than should be ! how i wonder to come back as few years before , No smart meter , and we can read own usage correctly !
Re: Removing smart meter
Smart meter made we lost trusting ! I used be very trust Scottish power , now quite suspect them since installed the bad guy - Smart meter ! I'll refuse any smart things then !
Re: Removing smart meter
@Metoo. Your display unit is giving out wrong cost information, it is not your bill, smart meters do not cost anything. You can unplug the display unit, it is not needed for the meters to work correctly.
Re: Removing smart meter
If i unplug the display as you recomind , why sent us this facility ? without it who report you the usage number ? you said my disaplay not correct , but how I can get correct imformation ? just only follow your notice ? thank you for help. the best way is moving away the smart reader , we need to know the correct figour ourself .
Re: Removing smart meter
@Metoo. Hi again, the display gives you information on how much power is being used. The display does not send any readings to SP, the electric meter sends readings for gas and electric by mobile phone connection. The display can show you when you are using power but the cost in £ information is usually not correct. If the display is not useful you can turn it off.
