Panorama - The Smart Meter mess

[denso13]

Apart from the process and the outcry from consumer charities dealing with claims and the regulator stepping in to apply more control?

Irrelevant, the figures are the evidence.

 

[motorbiking]

Irrelevant, the figures are the evidence.

they don't back up your argument.

 

[denso13]

they don't back up your argument.

Well show them, that's all I've been asking.

What are the numbers of disconnections and switches, smart vs dumb, last year?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

or you could do some research..

Millions left in the cold and dark as someone on a prepayment meter cut off every 10 seconds, reveals Citizens Advice

New analysis from the charity reveals the stark reality for people who pay for their energy through a prepayment meter

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Digging a little deeper/ reading the report, you find the headline is a bit of a distortion of the actual facts. Rather it was a matter of people not having the money to top up, rather than the energy companies cutting them off. As soon as they feed the meter, the power is restored. Prepay meters, always worked that way, nothing at all new, not the fault of smart meters.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Smart meter:
- follow the process for debt recovery, switch to pre-pay, customer self terminates.

Dumb meter
- follow the process for debt recovery, obtain a court order for forced entry, magistrate checks you've followed the process (rejects if you haven't) order issued.

And so why, is the latter better, I don't follow the logic? The latter system, would involve a longer process, a much more costlier process for both the supplier, the police, the legal system, which the customer would end up paying, perhaps including the cost of a new door, and in the meantime the debt continues to increase.

 

[motorbiking]

And so why, is the latter better, I don't follow the logic? The latter system, would involve a longer process, a much more costlier process for both the supplier, the police, the legal system, which the customer would end up paying, perhaps including the cost of a new door, and in the meantime the debt continues to increase.

Better for people like me who don’t have a problem with paying. But it doesn’t change the fact that it’s much easier for the supplier to move a delinquent customer to pre pay. If they are on a smart meter.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Better for people like me who don’t have a problem with paying. But it doesn’t change the fact that it’s much easier for the supplier to move a delinquent customer to pre pay. If they are on a smart meter.

Better all round, for absolutely everyone, even those who do get into debt. The increasing debt is instantly put under control, with all of the extra costs avoided.

 

[ellal]

It will? When?

There is obviously no exact date

So a couple of questions for you...

Do you agree that the technology exists to allow individual pricing - yes or no?

Are you stating that individual pricing will never happen - yes or no?

 

[noseall]

or you could do some research..

Millions left in the cold and dark as someone on a prepayment meter cut off every 10 seconds, reveals Citizens Advice

New analysis from the charity reveals the stark reality for people who pay for their energy through a prepayment meter

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Energy firms remotely swap homes to prepay meters

The regulator said some "vulnerable customers had been left without power for days or even weeks".

www.bbc.co.uk

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2022/11/smart-meter-prepayment-switched-remotely-rights/

Lol.
Or you could read what I wrote.

It matters not whether you have smart or analogue. The processes leading to being cut off or switched to prepay are as robust, strict and as drawn out (exactly the same) for both meters.

 

[ellal]

There are more smart meters in the UK than dumb meters by quite a margin.

Thus there are more dumb/gullible people in the UK than clued up smart people

 

[denso13]

Do you agree that the technology exists to allow individual pricing - yes or no?

Don't need a smart meter for that.

Are you stating that individual pricing will never happen - yes or no?

Who knows.

 

[noseall]

Do you agree that the technology exists to allow individual pricing - yes or no?

It's probably always existed. OFGEN ensures that billing remains fair/competitive.

 

[denso13]

If so there are more dumb/gullible people in the UK than clued up smart people

And some would say there are more smart people than dumb conspiracy theorists.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Don't need a smart meter for that.

Who knows.

We already do have individual pricing, I doubt I pay the same per unit, as any of my neighbours.

 

[diy_fun_uk]

Looks as though my mum might be forced down the smart meter route. She's in a high rise and has today received an email from her energy supplier re the planned Radio Teleswitch Service switch off, scheduled for June 2025. Supplier says options are being explored, however I suspect the solution will be 'you're getting a smart meter.'

There also appears to be some scaremongering, although not in the supplier email. On an energy website it states if you don't opt for a smart meter, your heating 'might end up being on 24/7.' This isn't possible for mum as she essentially switches it on/off via a fused spur, so when it's off it's off off.