In article <k9qpe0Fsb7bU2@mid.individual.net>,
Clive Page <usenet@page2.eu> wrote:
> It seems that we do have a choice of smart meter or not - except that as
> far as I can gather if you opt for a non-smart meter what you get is a
> smart meter with its smart functionality disabled. How much of this is
> disabled I haven't yet been able to find out. Like many others on this
> group, I suspect, I have been refusing regular blandishments from the
> company to get a smart meter, as there seem to be no advantages to the
> customer and many potential drawbacks.

Only drawback I can see is the supposed ability to cut you off easily.

The advantages are many. Only paying for what you use due to up to date
readings at all times.

--
*Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder *

Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 05/05/2023 16:53, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
> In article <k9qpe0Fsb7bU2@mid.individual.net>,
> Clive Page <usenet@page2.eu> wrote:
>> It seems that we do have a choice of smart meter or not - except that as
>> far as I can gather if you opt for a non-smart meter what you get is a
>> smart meter with its smart functionality disabled. How much of this is
>> disabled I haven't yet been able to find out. Like many others on this
>> group, I suspect, I have been refusing regular blandishments from the
>> company to get a smart meter, as there seem to be no advantages to the
>> customer and many potential drawbacks.
>
> Only drawback I can see is the supposed ability to cut you off easily.
>
> The advantages are many. Only paying for what you use due to up to date
> readings at all times.

Really? Every quarter EDF send me an email that a meter reading is
required in the next week. I read the meters and submit online. I get a
completely up-to-date bill by return email, which is paid immediately by
Bacs. Simples.

--

Jeff

Dave Plowman (News) <dave@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:
> In article <k9qpe0Fsb7bU2@mid.individual.net>,
> Clive Page <usenet@page2.eu> wrote:
> > It seems that we do have a choice of smart meter or not - except that as
> > far as I can gather if you opt for a non-smart meter what you get is a
> > smart meter with its smart functionality disabled. How much of this is
> > disabled I haven't yet been able to find out. Like many others on this
> > group, I suspect, I have been refusing regular blandishments from the
> > company to get a smart meter, as there seem to be no advantages to the
> > customer and many potential drawbacks.
>
> Only drawback I can see is the supposed ability to cut you off easily.
>
> The advantages are many. Only paying for what you use due to up to date
> readings at all times.
>
But it doesn't always work like that does it? They still take a fixed
amount each month and then reduce/increase the amount having looked
at your actual consumption. Actually paying for what you have used
went out with the ark!

--
Chris Green
·

On 2023-05-05, Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
> Dave Plowman (News) <dave@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>> The advantages are many. Only paying for what you use due to up to date
>> readings at all times.
>>
> But it doesn't always work like that does it? They still take a fixed
> amount each month and then reduce/increase the amount having looked
> at your actual consumption. Actually paying for what you have used
> went out with the ark!
>

I pay monthly for what I use. Don't have a smart meter - I simply take
readings every month and enter online, then get a bill for that.

No boats and animals in sight.

Jim Jackson <jj@franjam.org.uk> wrote:
> On 2023-05-05, Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
> > Dave Plowman (News) <dave@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:
> >>
> >> The advantages are many. Only paying for what you use due to up to date
> >> readings at all times.
> >>
> > But it doesn't always work like that does it? They still take a fixed
> > amount each month and then reduce/increase the amount having looked
> > at your actual consumption. Actually paying for what you have used
> > went out with the ark!
> >
>
> I pay monthly for what I use. Don't have a smart meter - I simply take
> readings every month and enter online, then get a bill for that.
>
> No boats and animals in sight.

Yes, you've probably done it that way for yonks and nothing has
changed. :-) I don't think you'll find any sensibly priced tariffs
work like that now do they?

Maybe I'm wrong but I've not seen any like that for a while.

--
Chris Green
·

On 05/05/2023 19:20, Chris Green wrote:
> Jim Jackson <jj@franjam.org.uk> wrote:
>> On 2023-05-05, Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
>>> Dave Plowman (News) <dave@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> The advantages are many. Only paying for what you use due to up to date
>>>> readings at all times.
>>>>
>>> But it doesn't always work like that does it? They still take a fixed
>>> amount each month and then reduce/increase the amount having looked
>>> at your actual consumption. Actually paying for what you have used
>>> went out with the ark!
>>>
>>
>> I pay monthly for what I use. Don't have a smart meter - I simply take
>> readings every month and enter online, then get a bill for that.
>>
>> No boats and animals in sight.
>
> Yes, you've probably done it that way for yonks and nothing has
> changed. :-) I don't think you'll find any sensibly priced tariffs
> work like that now do they?
>
> Maybe I'm wrong but I've not seen any like that for a while.

Of course not. I pay over the odds because I don't allow open access to
my bank account (otherwise known as DD). You allow the energy companies
to use you as an interest-free moneylender by making your monthly DD
much higher than it need be, and paying you back the money they've
borrowed at the end of the year. We both lose.

--

Jeff