An ode to the gas and electric meter

[ppppenguin]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-36072091

and this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s8i8GG6niA

[Cardigan]

'Replaced by 2020'? I'll believe it when I see it: my gas meter was supposed to have been replaced nearly ten years ago.

Needless to say, it's still in place.

What, actually, is the point of a 'smart' meter? What's 'smart' about it that makes it 'better' than a normal meter, or is it just change for change's sake?

[ppppenguin]

The current programme to roll out smart meters is half baked as you'd expect.

With a bit of luck it will end the curse of estimated readings by allowing remote reading of meters. Beyond that I doubt it will do very much. They may also potentially be hackable though I've no idea how much harm could be done.

[FIXITNOW]

I am told it does not have the ability to see solar panels so I guess during the day I will just see my usage as a big 0.
when it would have been nice to see how much the panels were producing ,
so I am not going to get much help from it.
more semi smart than smart !

[ppppenguin]

Modern leccy meters are designed not to record reverse power flow. Most old fashioned ones with a rotatey disc would turn backwards if you were generating more than you used.

When you have solar panels installed there has to be a generation meter so that you can get the Feed-in Tariff payments. I also have a "Sunnybeam" box which is linked to the inveter by bluetooth. It gives a full record of generation which I can dowload to a PC.

What I can't see from my installation is how much of the solar power I use and how much is exported. For a domestic installation it is assumed to be half and half for the purposes of the export tariff. To measure exported power you would need an export meter which is normally only fitted to larger installations.

[Terry]

Yesterday ...

"Mr Casey? This is EDF here, your electricity supplier, and I'm calling to let you know that we are planning to change your meter to a Smart meter. Have you heard of Smart meters?"

"Yes, I know all about Smart meters"

"Good. When would be a convenient time to fit the meter?"

"There's usually someone here all day."

"The meter is fitted with  SIM card so that it sends readings back to EDF so that there is no need for any more estimated bills. Where is you meter situated?

"In the cellar."

"Is there a mobile phone signal in your cellar?"

"I don't know - I've never tried to use a mobile down there!"

"I'll make a note about that on your file. The new meter will probably be fitted in two or three months time. We'll contact you again nearer the time"

"We're in the process of moving at the moment so, hopefully, we won't still be here then!"

"Ah! OK Mr Casey, thank you very much for your time. Goodbye!"

[Terry]

Modern leccy meters are designed not to record reverse power flow.

There's a picture of a meter on the  BBC page you linked to which says "Generated Today (kWh) 17.40"

[ppppenguin]

That looks like a generation meter to me.

If you have PV or other generation at home then many old style disc meters will run backwards when generation exceeds demand. That means you'll be selling leccy for the same price that you buy it. Not what they intend.

[AlanBeckett]

We had an attempted Smart Meter Installation a few Weeks ago. The Gas Meter is outside on one side of the House and the Electricity Meter is in the Understairs Cupboard amidst a maze of Cabling.
The Installer did his Tests and announced that it wouldn't work. He was entirely straightforward about it. His advice was that if they offered again ask if they were offering a Second Generation System because the presant First Generation ones simply wouldn't work here.

Alan

[Refugee]

We had smart meters put in 6 years ago in order to get round the estimated bill problem.
After about 4 years from installation both gas and electric meters have failed.
The electric one would not read the gas and then the gas gave up with a flat transmitter battery and it has an obsolete battery.
They are a pain.