Smart Meters: The SHOCKING Reason They Want You To Have Them

[@martinjames9250]

They keep 'offering' me a so called 'Smart meter' and I always say, "No thanks." I take the view that if the government or a company offer me something it's for their benefit not mine. It's all about money. Nothing more, nothing less.

[@Missdoubletrouble541]

Correct!😊

[@peterjackson2625]

I put one in the bin most weeks.

[@carolinehuguk6394]

Money yes but also control

[@colinlea2377]

All about control,behave or b turned off.

[@stephenshannon3706]

If you want to save money, smart meters have enormous advantages, giving access to smart tariffs such as Octopus Go and Octopus intelligent Go and many others. The world is rapidly changing and many people will store electricity in home batteries or in their electric car. Doing so saves a lot of electricity which might otherwise be wasted and the customer benefits with lower tariffs. This also benefits other customers that don’t have batteries, since it reduces peak demand for electricity which helps to reduce the price for everyone. An excellent source of information is the Fully Charged KZbin site where there are hundreds of working examples - which would not be possible without having smart meters!

[@hazmat5749]

I would imagine smart meters allow electricity and gas to be rationed and / or disconnected remotely at the touch of a button

[@gbhxu]

Yes. They can even change your meter to a pre-payment meter

[@dianegriffen2756]

I would imagine so too....

[@jackwatsonepic626]

I have had a smart metre fitted now for 7 years off utility energy and I pay pre pay and up-to-date I've never had a problem . it works for me . but I'm not saying it works for everyone 🇬🇧

[@Kizron_Kizronson]

I hate to break this to you. But they always could cut both without entering the property. Assuming they had followed all the legal procedure to do so. Legal procedures they are STILL required to follow even with smart meters. So yeah, the only change is that once the paperwork has been done, they can flip a switch instead of having to send somebody to physically cut the supply.

[@stuartmcluvin4794]

Bingo

[@alberttatlock1541]

They try to convince you that the reason they want you to have a smart meter is because it will help you use less energy. Would ANYONE believe that any business wants to encourage you to buy LESS of their product?

[@whisthpo]

Nailed it Albert!

[@jackwaycombe]

​@@whisthpo They don't care how much energy you use. If general usage falls, they simply increase standing charges to fill the gap. Go on holiday for a month and disconnect at at your main switch. You'll still get a bill when you get home. The game is fixed. And it's not fixed in your favour. It's fixed in favour of some government Minister's offshore account.

[@whisthpo]

@@jackwaycombe Nailed it Jack! Robbed from cradle to grave at every opportunity.

[@fatroberto3012]

I have always believed that the purpose of smart meters is to differentiate between domestic use and electric vehicle charging. When fossil fuels disappear, the government will need to replace fuel duties with EV charging duties. A smart meter knows when you are charging your car. It can communicate with the vehicle just like charging stations do.

[@yuvalpn8838]

@@fatroberto3012 The government can charge the tax based on mileage Odometer reading during MOT or mileage reported online at the moment you sell your car

[@stevvieb]

Funny how we are now the meter readers for these companies. They charge more and supply less.

[@dianegriffen2756]

It's *your choice* to comply. Refuse to read the meter and they have to send out someone to read them. Know too that any 'estimated' bill is not enforceable by any court.

[@daveh6179]

My energy company repeatedly asked me to read the meter, I told them as I was not employed by them they could sod off. I also told them I would only pay £50 a month and they could put the price up as much as they like, as that is all I’m willing to pay, and that is all I pay. Isn’t it funny, how all the energy companies are owned by foreigners, this so you can’t dig to deep and find out who the shareholders are, or so they thought. The majority of mp’s have shares, that is why there hasn’t been much screaming about the price increases, if you dig deep enough you will what you are looking for.

[@dc1]

I read my own gas and electric meters on the first of every month and receive a bill a couple of days later. At least I know my bills are accurate.

[@williamthomas2830]

The same happens with self serve tills in supermarkets. You what these people scanning their shopping for the benefit of the owners profit. They don’t understand that the are slave labour putting people out of work.

[@user-ug4zx2kj6e]

To pay their shareholders.

[@Vintagevanessa99]

Anything with smart in the name is smart for the company not the public

[@nigelnigel.]

Smart= control.

[@steve83803]

Smart meters minus Meter Reader jobs = increased profits for utility companies.

[@redpilledpict2747]

Years ago i was telling people when you hear the word "Smart" run in the opposite direction.

[@davideddy2672]

Smart Growth, Sustainability, Resilience - all the pap being taught in our schools, these 'Non Profit Fiddles' et al = Agenda 30

[@stuartcorbett4902]

Do you know what SMART actually means? Surveillance Monitoring Analysis Reporting Technology

[@lkearney7299]

Interesting that a law which is against everyone's interests can be introduced with great speed, but when it comes to stopping people arriving illegally, there's much foot dragging.

[@stoney202]

If they're arriving illegally, then doesn't it imply there is already a law there? Furthermore there isn't a way to arrive in this country legally if you're not a UK citizen, on holiday or already have a job. Do you know of another way for somebody who wants to come to the UK to work?

[@ferrumignis]

@@stoney202 _"Do you know of another way for somebody who wants to come to the UK to work?"_ Yes, you apply for a visa. How could you not know this?

[@lkearney7299]

@@stoney202 Sure but there are loopholes, which could be closed very quickly.

[@douglastodd1947]

@lkearney Govt, will Attempt to Make Smart Meters Compulsory under the Electricity & Gas Act 2003, under Common Law Acts & Statutes of Parliament are Commercially Legal Law, But Not A Law of the Land and Only Becomes LAW If We the People Consent to Recognise IT as a Law. as far as i'm aware you can install your own meter. Save £ 150 yr meter rental on a smart meter, £ 30 a yr rental for a Standard Meter , Only thing SMART is the extra £ 120 IN the CO.s Pocket.

[@scaryfakevirus]

It's called the Kalergi Plan

[@steveroberts9453]

Smart Meters, Smart Motorways, heat-pumps ,electric cars, none are designed to make our lives better or easier.

[@peterjones-b5b]

They have tried many times to get me to agree to a smart meter ... and have been met with the same answer ... 'f**k off ' !

[@deborahwyndham-lewis5188]

I received a government letter advising me to get one!

[@markoconnor4380]

Nice reply 😃

[@DavidThompson-cg6hh]

The only time the word SMART should be used is when it precedes the word ARSE!

[@ianmclaurin8477]

I put some liniment on my wrist when i sprained it. it made my arm smart.

[@rachelcaullay172]

Lol

[@stitchlover633]

i like that i t made me smile

[@johnricharddowling3276]

A few years ago my energy supplier (electric) repeatedly requested I receive a smart metre. I catagorically informed them I would not accept it in writing saying if they installed one against my wishes that I would destroy it with a sledge hammer. They never asked again. That company went under and now British Gas have taken over. They have asked once if I would have one and again I said no. If they "inform" me that they intend to fit one I again will write to say I will destroy the metre. I will not be forced by the fascist state to comply - over my dead body if necessary.

[@Missdoubletrouble541]

Good stand! Had me laughing out loud when you told them you'd smash it to bits with a sledgehammer. Note to self: buy sledgehammer.😊

[@jamesbarbour8400]

Currently, these so called 'Smart Meters' are not compulsory to have, but the Government may change the legislation on them, in years to come. I really don't understand the mentality of the people who trip over themselves to get one of these devices. If they'd half a brain, they'd realise that they're giving control of a fundamental asset of living (utilities; water, gas, electricity), to a third party, who can then play fast and loose with said utility supplies to their hearts content. I threatened all my utility suppliers with legal action, if they tried to fit such devices to my home. My meters are outside my front door, in a plastic box, whom anyone with the correct key type, could access.

[@B0rnles13]

I did the same years ago, when Thames Water wanted to install a water meter, I said that I would get a few friends with pick axe handles to come and help them install it and they got the message. I have got a smart meter for the electric now and the best thing about it is that I can top it up from the phone at home. It does give them the power to turn it off, but I have had a prepayment meter for ages and I don't care if they want to monitor my movements anymore. I feel like boycotting Thames water for the amount of sewage they pour into our rivers and sea and they charge £34 a month for chlorine flavoured water.

[@RabCTR]

To many conspiracy theories on the net. I have had a smart meter for about a year let's you see amount of electricity/gas so you can see how much you spend. So you can swith appliances off you don't need at that time. Also handy if you have an EV, I have an ICE as well. In a month £15-20 for 800-1000 miles in the EV. 40 mpg for the ICE I will let you do the maths.

[@MartaVirag-fb2cq]

3:52

[@davidfloyd8262]

Smart meters are all about control. Once that is gained, ie peak hour usage, then different tariffs will be introduced. Not for the users benefits but a means to extract more money for over priced commodities

[@patbuckley4039]

And to switch it off if they think you've used to much

[@edc1569]

I’ve never paid less switching to an edf tariff that gives me 5 hours at 5p kWh.

[@pootle5096]

@@patbuckley4039 Spot on!

[@olwens1368]

I noticed a report on 'yahoo news' saying that an 'expert' has called on people to 'help the government achieve the net zero target' by not heating their homes in the evening. (Apparently we should heat them in the afternoons using cheaper electricity, then we won't need to heat them in the evenings) With smart meters they will be able to enforce ideas like this.

[@Kizron_Kizronson]

@@patbuckley4039 You clearly have no clue how this works. They are legally barred from arbitrarily cutting off supplies. By laws that are VERY vigorously enforced. If they cut your supply without good reason they have to pay compensation. Even if they don't cut supply but a fault causes the supply to go out they STILL have to pay compensation if they don't restore supply fast. Like within a few hours kind of fast. They also cannot arbitrarily raise prices. The government controls maximum energy prices, not the companies.

[@kbolton9399]

Why do we have to cut down on our energy usage when politicians get theirs paid on expenses?

[@sianglanrid-jones95]

I do not have a smart meter and never will, I realized early on that it WILL be a way to ration/control our consumption, why do you think they are offering them for free???!!! Have you thought about them saying you can see how much energy you are using? Oh, that appliance is using too much electricity……do I turn on appliances for the fun of it, no!!!! I turn them on because I need to!! If you were foolish enough to buy an EV then they can and WILL control how much electricity you can use, why do you think they are forcing EV cars upon us, WAKE UP PEOPLE!

[@dieseldragon6756]

„Smart“ meters are not and *never have* been _„free“._ There's a *reason* why the standing charge has increased by a factor of 8x over the course of just ten years... 💸⛓

[@leialee6820]

We will not have enough energy in the UK which is pretty obvious especially under this new government who are even more net zero focused. We pay the highest price for our electricity & gas in the western world, much higher than the US other countries like Japan & the EU which they put altogether with the average price paid. The EU come 2nd & we pay way much more than them. Get the candles ready!!!

[@user-kn4hp4hk5c]

My sympathy lays with the British cannabis cultivaters who may soon be forced to pay for the electricity used during the growth of their sumptuous end product which threatens to reduce the independent farmers end profit.

[@tinaunderhill5412]

@@user-kn4hp4hk5c😂😂

[@dieseldragon6756]

@@user-kn4hp4hk5c This might explain why the cost of houses backing onto electrified railway lines has more than doubled over the past 36 months... 🚂🚬😉

[@yamahattr6006]

I remember this being debated in parliament and they said that no one could be forced to have a smart meter so they are using end of life to force people to have them they should have to replace with standard meters

[@lynnepostings]

"IF" they are no longer making standard meters ... then they NOW need to start making them again !

[@ArcticwolfGamingUK]

@@lynnepostings smart meters are not mandatory 14 Aug 2023

[@AntonyClayton-eq1ul]

Put this to them. Refuse to be coerced.

[@Uniq_Jer31vs33_GodHearsAndSees]

​@@ArcticwolfGamingUK Hi. Do you have any more info about smart meters not being mandatory? I just had a call from the water company saying the old one needs replacing with a smart one. I said no thanks but the reason they gave is it's time for it to be replaced.

[@tomcruyfft3262]

Eon called yesterday saying we could avoid estimates if we agree to a smart meter. I told them we were being blackmailed by inflated estimates.

[@maskedavenger2578]

They were not still fitting the old meters but they were still fitting modern new metric meters that weren’t smart meters . I know this because I had a new non smart ,gas & electric meters fitted ,only a few years ago . They tried recently to pressure me into having smart meters fitted ,by turning my quarterly bill into a monthly bill. They also had the brass neck ,to expect me to do their job ,read my own meter & then go on line or phone in my own meter readings . I told them they shouldn’t of took over my old energy company unless they were prepared to honour ,all existing customers arrangements ,meter reading & payment methods . I also told them I am not a meter reader & they were supposed to employ & pay meter readers to read my meters every quarter .

[@gbhxu]

Legally they only have to read your meter every 2 years

[@macraghnaill3553]

@@gbhxu My meters have not been read by a meter reader for many years, they are supposed to read it once a year, I do send in my own reading on time

[@maskedavenger2578]

@@gbhxu I heard it was every six months . Anyway my contract with the company they took over ,included readings every quarter ,so that’s what I expect as I am sure the cost of providing quarterly meter readers ,was included when they calculated their charges .

[@craigd6261]

Same here. Our meter wasn't read during the cough-cough years. We keep getting suggestions we could book a change to a smart meter. A meter reader turned up early this year and read both gas and electric. We still got emails from the company asking for readings, even within a month of that reading. They sent these emails every month, saying it was to ensure we not overpaying! Had a long conversation with them and told them they were only doing monthly emails to try and get people to give up and agree to a smart meter. Told them that wouldn't happen here. Then saw a comment from someone in the indsutry saying how low the take up is now, and they actually said that they had now got 'all the low hanging fruit', in other words the easy/gullible ones that said yes to a smart meter early on.

[@maskedavenger2578]

@@macraghnaill3553 You should ask them for meter reading fees as you are doing their job for them . To add insult to injury you are paying them to provide a meter reading service hidden in their charges ,that you are providing . They are shafting you twice over .

[@thedearjohnblog]

I'm not saying this guy is wrong about the law - he's clearly done his research in that regard. But he's wrong when he says that anyone who informs you they had an old style meter fitted since 2014 is not being truthful. I'm one of those people and I'm not a liar. It was a refurbished meter, admittedly, but it was the enforcement officer who told the engineer in no uncertain terms that they were not allowed to impose a smart meter on me against my will and made them come back another time when they'd sourced a traditional one. I don't know why that happened, but it did. Last year.

[@maskedavenger2578]

I had a more modern metric meter fitted around that time & mine isn’t a smart meter . So there must be still modern metres that are not smart meters available . Also non smart meters must still be produced ,as not every country uses them & owners of guesthouses often fit their own non smart pay meters in their paying guests rooms .

[@dianegriffen2756]

It would be unLawful not to have alternatives to smart meters available. Some people *can't* have them because it would be a risk to their life - pacemakers for example.

[@quercus3290]

@@maskedavenger2578 There are lots of non smart meters available, they are manufactured brand new and for a variety of reasons, and they adhere to government regulations for domestic metering. So yeah, I dont know where he gets that information from.

[@lynnepostings]

I think you need to get a SECOND opinion if possible ... on the guy who's emailed you that advice ... to be on the safe side !

[@swoop1352]

Me 3. Meter changed in 2017, new meter is an old style.

[@olwens1368]

We had to have a new meter fitted early this year. We said we did NOT want a smart meter, expected problems with the company, but after 'advising us' that we were losing 'benefits' they agreed to fit an old style meter and did. When the engineer came to do it we checked with him and he confirmed what he was installing. We also asked a friend who is retired from the business and he confirmed what it was. We have, however, just been informed that our energy supplier has been changed, so are prepared for a fresh onslaught....

[@davidgranger3628]

I think a Faraday shield will turn smart to dumb .The companies will use the "safety" excuse to fulfill the government's orders. I foresee the EV chargers chatting to the meters aswell with the meters switching them to mega high tariffs or not at all until the small hours so your EV never gets a full charge and you end up walking everywhere where the WEF want you .

[@Ashtarot77]

@@davidgranger3628 I have an EV through work and I charge it at the civic centre when I go into town in the middle of the week to do a shop. Park up, plug it in, and leave it to charge while I do my shop. The rate is fairly decent, cheaper than what I get charged at home. There's no way I'm having a special charger fitted on my house, because there simply isn't the space due to it being a terraced house. Probably a blessing in disguise. I only have the car till I have enough saved up for a new petrol one.

[@tonystock856]

@@davidgranger3628the establishment is corrupt and have lost any respect from the public, at every turn they rip us off. never do what they say if it means we would be better off.

[@davidhaslett9777]

@@davidgranger3628Exactly how do you think you can instal a faraday cage around an electric meter?

[@davidgranger3628]

@@davidhaslett9777 Google is your friend 😉 once you have made it put a mobile phone in it if you ring it and it doesn't ring it's working

[@davetdowell]

Well they won't be installing smart meters in my property. If they try, I'll insist they remove the utility feed from my property. I'd want no part in their slave state, where the people will be forced into complaince, by their owners. I can't be owned, it's against the law.

[@dianegriffen2756]

The energy companies are not suppliers of your gas/elec, they are only agents. They make their money from you having their meter, not from the supply itself.

[@davetdowell]

@dianegriffen2756 Try to force a smart meter on me, and they won't be getting any money from me. They can physically disconnect my property.

[@dianegriffen2756]

@@davetdowell I hear you and am on your side. Energy companies *do not supply* your gas/elec - they don't own it, they are only agents. They only own the meter. You have every right, and it's completely legal, to get your own meters fitted - you just have to make sure the fitting is done by professionals.

[@davetdowell]

@@dianegriffen2756 No you don't understand me. There won't be any grid feed to my property to draw electricity from. If they insist on working on my power feed grid connection to do things I do not consent to, the only work they will be permitted to do, is to remove the feed lines from my property completely. I am not property, and I will not consent to being treated like property, either by the supplier, the national grid, the regulator, or the government.

[@olwens1368]

Basically I agree with your position. My grandparents (born 1890ish) managed without gas or electricity for most of their lives- but of course they had coal fires, cooked on an old fashioned range, used oil lamps....However, the powers that be are already restricting other means of heating/cooking - making it more difficult to use wood burners, bottled gas and this is only going to get worse. If you are reasonably young and fit you could cope, but...

[@elsestelema6273]

My electricity company refused to give me a three month bill but insisted I pay every month even though I never paid my bill late!

[@rosemarydudley9954]

Sounds like my supplier for elec.. I only phone them when I get a bill to pay. I told them I pay quarterly NOT monthly. This was accepted by them. The old system with SEB was so much easier AND better.

[@olwens1368]

Presumably trying to push you into setting up a direct debit as being less trouble ?

[@macraghnaill3553]

They all do that now, no more quarterly bills, all monthly or pay by direct debit over the year

[@phillwainewright4221]

Same here. I used to pay quarterly by cheque, but my supplier insist that I now pay monthly online. Okay, so it saves me four stamps a year, but I was given no choice.

[@elsestelema6273]

@@rosemarydudley9954 And keep trying to get you to have a smart meter!

[@briantyler689]

Smart Meters just like ULEZ cameras need to be gt rid of. Permanently.

[@jamesbarbour8400]

Very good analogy - they're not for our benefit !

[@paulojnr9764]

Am I missing something as they have a screen are the hard wired into the house or just plugged in. Either way if turn everything off are they still running e.g. using electricity when I'm not. They're not for me things that are called smart arent

[@johntaylor587]

As I'm reliably informed is that you are allowed to continue to refuse these meters that they want to fit 😂 also you can continue as a freedom of choice and refuse them , not what the companies will tell you 😅

[@barefootcontessa3112]

I had a smart meter fitted some years ago, I wish I’d known it could have been put in dumb mode, I’m also on a fixed tariff which guaranteed the price of my electric until March 2024. Nothing has changed in my home and the price of my electric per unit remains the same but my bill have increased, when I enquired about why I was told I had to have something in the house using more electric, I definitely do not. I believe the electric supplier has remotely adjusted my meter to run at faster speed so that I use more. There is no other explanation for the huge increase in my bills.

[@whisthpo]

Happened to my Father years ago, after a couple of months. his bill (but Not his usage) went up by £20, sometimes £30 a month! I still have dumb meters and I am £400+ in credit, which They are getting the interest on. Am I wrong?

[@Melonie54]

​@whisthpo I've read a few times that energy companies can not get interest on their customers credit. It's not their money.

[@whisthpo]

@@Melonie54 Fair comment, so I can get it reimbursed into my savings account and I can get the interest! If not who has the money? Solomon Islands offshore account somewhere?

[@Melonie54]

@whisthpo Ask them for a refund then. I was over £1k in credit a few months ago & I got £700 refunded. I just went online & asked for a £700 refund. They processed it that day for me. They will probably ask you for meter readings so they can work out exactly how much credit you have got & then sort it for you. .

[@whisthpo]

@@Melonie54 That's Great news GH! 👍

[@sueievers8700]

Let’s hope the “end of life” of my meters is longer than my personal “end of life”.

[@NomadicNight]

Lol.

[@tommybinson]

End of meter's life excuse sounds BS to me. Just like the humour, thriftiness, emotional blackmail and blunt demands the firms tried before.

[@Captain_Scarlet_SIG]

It’s all about control and manipulation but not for the consumer but power companies that’s why I keep avoiding one being forced on me as long as I can. Interesting info Andy thank you for clarifying.

[@tommywright1017]

GReed that's all

[@carlvaz]

Thanks Andy, for this very enlightening video. I had an electricity smart meter fitted in 2019, but they could not fit a gas smart meter as per some technical problem at my home. I was not happy with this smart meter and asked them to fit a traditional meter. This was a real battle lasting about a year and numerous E-mail exchanges. Finally, I complained to the Ombudsman and through them they finally fitted a DIGITAL non-smart meter.

[@vincemarshall8550]

good to know ,i didnt think you could go back once one was fitted

[@jamesbarbour8400]

​@@vincemarshall8550 that's what they want you to think, so that you don't argue your case with them - they know they'd lose !

[@jimskirtt5717]

With a smart meter, they can adjust what you pay at the push of a keyboard key. So let's say that they overcharge (as they all do) and you question it and cancel your direct debit, they can load your meter to get the money. So rather than pay 30p per kWh, they can raise it to whatever they want. British Gas recently instructed me that my annual consumption was 20,000 kWh - whereas it's 14,000 kWh - and that they were doubling my DD from £385 to £790. Fortunately I have an old meter. I cancelled my DD and TRIED to get them to see sense, even sending them 16 months of monthly readings. So I waited the 8 weeks to make a complaint to the Energy Ombudsman. I won, of course, and BG now have to pay me £100 and say sorry (yes, really). However, if I had a smart meter, they could have loaded it, and I would have been in a protracted fight. British Gas don't listen to what you say (even though you are right) and their operatives are incredibly dim with very poor grammar (how are you, Leon?).

[@jimskirtt5717]

@Alan-dr3vy What is? Try and be specific, then I will demolish what you say.

[@alexatkin]

What on earth do you mean "loaded" it? Billing has nothing to do with the smart meter, its done the same way as a dumb meter. The only difference is a smart meter sends the current reading automatically on a more regular basis, rather than needing a human to come and read it.

[@iancampbell3202]

Anything labelled smart is always a con. Do not have it

[@user-zb1yy2xm9v]

True. The list is getting longer.... Smart....... phone, car, house, city......hmmmm could it be a plan to control the planet? I have heard that some countries are making it illegal to disconnect from the electric grid......

[@kennicholson1590]

Very like the word Democratic. look at the democratic North Korea, Congo, and the USA party that began the evil KKK.

[@jonahharpoon2]

My elderly parents have a smart meter. Apparently it wasn't so smart. One of their operatives called round a few weeks ago telling them it wasn't functioning properly. He did his checks and a week later they received a letter informing them that they owe £750.

[@johncouriermeh]

Refuse any payment because the energy supplier own the meters, not your parents and as such don't owe them anything.

[@WhiteDieselShed]

Mums meter clocked up £600 she did not use.

[@jonahharpoon2]

@@WhiteDieselShed absolute piss take.

[@tonystock856]

@@WhiteDieselShedguaranteed they will always read in favour of the company, it’s a scandal.

[@user-ug4zx2kj6e]

They just charge anything they like. We have no way of checking.

[@IamNotANumber]

EDF have been trying for ages for me to agree to a smart meter. I told them when it's law. Now they're resorting to dirty tactics with the app not generating a bill once I've submitted the readings. Every time I've had to contact them they go on about how much more convenient it is to have the smart meter 😂.

[@AntonyClayton-eq1ul]

I switched to this bunch of crooks (EDF) from SSE another bunch of crooks (Pay as you go) two years ago. They tried by hook and by crook to make me have smart credit meters. Insisted on old style and finally got a refurbished gas; and new electric meter. Because I knew the score with smart meters. In dispute with them now over not paying them double-charge billing from my own pocket. Told them of the situation exposed by other YT video presentation. That they debit payments from the birthright trust fund set up by the government when my birth was registered. Which is paid by my legal fiction dead entity 'Strawman'. That they are only the collecting agency, not the supplier. Therefore acting fraudulently. When fraud comes in it kills everything... Ignored everything I said to them by E-mail. Like adding the letters VC (Vi Coactus) in front of my signature. Signifying payment under constraint; and rendering their demands legally un-binding. And if it came to court action I wanted my case to be trial by jury. Dictating they need payment of £99. Now in order to avoid legal action. Sending literature warning of all the steps they can take to recover this money from me, the living breathing man. One of which is that they would switch your smart meter to pay as you go. So there you have it from the horse's mouth.🏴‍☠

[@Deb-vu7gk]

Go to the Ombudsman and tell them what they are doing.

[@MissJ74]

Same! 😂

[@rodneygunn788]

Same here told me lies asked for subject access proved they lied don’t trust them

[@ramaat2731]

Same. I'm unable to submit my readings via app anymore , keeps saying error . I just email it to them and they generate a bill . I don't need a smart meter I can read my meter myself tha nk you

[@ladieshepherd8473]

When I lived in a Victoria, Australia smart meters were mandated for everyone. I said I didn't want one, but it was put in anyway and as soon as it was I felt electricity coming from the floor into my body. It affected my balance and when I went to turn into the lounge from the hallway I just kept going. My brain wasn't telling my body what to do. I put the house on the market and moved to South Australia, but it took a year to sell, and I lost the $20K i had put into renovating the house and garden. My elderly but fit neighbour was a retired dentist and his health deteriorated so much in the 12 months since the smart meter was put in his house that he ended up almost blind and could no longer look after himself. Smart meters cause so many health problems due to the EM radiation. The Victorian state government obviously benefitted financially from the electricity companies who didn't want to keep paying for meter-readers. They didn't care if they were making people ill.

[@lyndadolan456]

I believe wi fi smart meters etc cause oxidative stress, which in turn causes inflammation the root cause of all heart attacks and probably cancers and other illnesses. Can anyone confirm?

[@simonbroddle754]

I had a conventional meter and the date showed it was clearly "end of life". I'm also on Economy 7 so a few months ago I was "threatened" and ended up getting the new meter. I've subsequently learned that it is only smart for them. I cannot read my meter as I've done for decades before sending in a monthly report. In fact, the night mode is not recorded at all and even talking it through with their technical team it appears I cannot have access. Thank you for the video.

[@simonbroddle754]

@@johnbeach3861 Hi, I can see my import & export the same as you but the import is combined into one so doesn’t define between day & night use.

[@merlin5476]

@@simonbroddle754 i had the same isdue with ovo last year after they took over from SSE. They made me have an app on my phone but it didnt understand the difference between night & day tarrifs. After spending a life time on the phone they said i had to do it via my laptop, after looking on line there web site clearly stated that there system couldn't take night readings.!! I think they may have fixed it now though.

[@You-tw4zs]

I know its more annoying but can't you submit a subject access request given its your personal data? You might even be able to automate a monthly subject access request email.

[@robertsmart7484]

Switch to a proper electricity supplier, like Octopus Energy. They will give your information.

[@buntybunny]

@@robertsmart7484 OVO give you bills that state Day reading, night reading and gas readings, you can also read your own meter by pressing certain buttons on the meter

[@lillymay3632]

Companies selling and passing on personal information or even collecting it; is that not against data protection?

[@10tendogsdonie]

Of course it is,

[@dianegriffen2756]

Yes it is, it's a breach of your privacy rights. They *must* have your consent to do so.

[@Martyn-ey9lw]

It's probably written into the terms and conditions somewhere in extra small print

[@dianegriffen2756]

@@Martyn-ey9lw Terms and conditions are still only an agreement, which you can change as much as they can. It's and agreement between you both. If you see it written in there you can add your own terms and conditions to change it, or counteract it. Too many people have forgotten this, and just go with whatever they say.

[@Martyn-ey9lw]

@@dianegriffen2756 Did not know that Diane, but I would have thought if you don't agree with their terms and conditions they would just say go elsewhere.

[@leecritchley2855]

My theory on the smart meters is that as more people will be home charging their electric cars /vehicles , the government will be loosing revenue from the fuel duty it collects. It's possible, eventually this could be collected through the electric billing system.

[@paulstimpson830]

This isn't possible. A meter has no way of knowing what you use the electricity for and data connections to a smart meter aren't allowed for security reasons so it's not possible to connect your car charger to it to tell the meter. Sure, if you take 30A of power every night from 1AM to 5AM, it's highly likely you have an EV and are charging it but the electricity company can't say this for certain. The 2018 regulations that every new car sold must have a mobile data SIM card and connection so the car can send a message to the emergency services if you have a crash is a completely different matter. If you have an EV, it will know how much electricity you've charged it with. All cars with this fitted will know how many miles you've driven. It would be trivial to have your car communicate this data to the government for tax purposes. I have little doubt that road pricing (paying tax per mile driven rather than per litre of fuel) will come along at some time in the future.

[@acelectricalsecurity]

Well, so they should be charged fuel duty and vat at 20%, why should they be exempt, if I was manufacturing my own diesel after so many liters I would have to declare it and pay fuel duty, why shouldn't someone who owns an electric car.

[@WhiteDieselShed]

@@paulstimpson830 And that is how they sneak these things into circulation. Emergency call feature, then its suddenly oh gosh we did not know but these things can also track you and send a ticket for speeding or charge per mile etc etc...

[@jandances1687]

As we pay the national grid via taxes to give us free electricity,why should I pay for someone's EV ,with 15 min cities they want be going anywhere anyway..I think it stinks too I want have EV as it 1000% more pollutant then a diesel adding radiation given off by EVs daily will kill u..

[@DanielImmanuel2143]

You're only right. I've been telling people this many times

[@stuartcorbett4902]

Surveillance, Monitoring, Analysis,Reporting, Technology =SMART !!!!

[@jamesbarbour8400]

And the over arching end result is all about total control !

[@NionXenion-gh7rf]

term digitalization/digitization is new name for control

[@jamesbarbour8400]

@@NionXenion-gh7rf pretty much !

[@jacqueboyce3176]

at the beginning of this decades ago S.M.A.R.T. was initially an acronym for Surveilance Monitoring by Artificial Radiation Technology

[@user-gt2jh1eb4l]

I put my electric off 14hr a day very small bills f them I am not paying for it

[@Dinger154]

My neighbours had a smart meter fitted and their daily usage went up from £5 to £30 or £40., so something was obviously wrong. The supplier would not listen and insisted that the meter was working correctly so my neighbour called in a qualified electrician to check it out. The electrician condemned the installation and said they were lucky their house had not burned down. The supplier when told about the findings sent in their own man and confirmed the electrician's conclusion. The original fitter was obviously not an electrician, just a geezer with a screwdriver who did a 2 day course and was let loose to cause havoc. The supplier is still insisting that my neighbour pay the outstanding bill which is about £3,000 so on my advice they have gone to a lawyer to get compensation from the supplier for all the alarm and distress caused by their incompetence.

[@AntonyClayton-eq1ul]

Screw the screwers.

[@Deb-vu7gk]

Absolutely appalling

[@moyrakeatings7878]

How dreadful.

[@denicase9444]

Extremely useful information here that everyone needs to hear! 🙏

[@martingibbs1179]

Traditional meters were fitted post 2014. We had a house fire so the entire house was rebuilt over 2016/2017 and the "new" meter installed by UK power networks is a Landis & Gyr 5235A (80A L) according to octopus energy and is definately a traditional meter there are no smart fetures about it. I remember hearing in the news a while ago that some minister had so many problems after getting a smart meter that the law to force smart meters was chucked out, and the minister got a traditional meter again.

[@NomadicNight]

That sounds about right ! - I've often said that until things that the most disagree with start to affect politicians, nothing will change significantly for the better.

[@lindabowman2868]

Dangerous if you have a pace makers btw, they won't tell you that..!!! And also G5 towers are not allowed near schools but we have one within METRES of our house!!! Older people don't matter????

[@incognito7597]

We get contacted every week,by phone by email by letter and even people coming to the door,their desperate to install a smart meter,this can only mean one thing,more money.

[@stephenrogers7995]

Luckily the new population that is arriving daily, will not have to worry about smart meters or energy costs, as it's all free for them, no worries.

[@FunkOsax]

That isn’t true

[@omegadeep1]

Don't be an arse 😮😂😂😂😂

[@70sboy98]

For those who disagree, come to Yeovil and you’ll see for yourself.

[@jimduffy1967]

That's rubbish,blame the Tory fuckin government for selling off all the power companies,not the new population, electricity and gas should have stayed nationalised.

[@andyhinds542]

And you know that to be true? How? 🙄

[@Tomm9y]

So why was this legislation passed, even way back in 2000's or before. It's time for the civil servants, legislators, MP's Peers to be sued for this sort of over reach of service providers.

[@blxtothis]

I’m always somewhat wary of anybody described as an “Expert”.

[@Hattonbank]

Are you an expert at your job? If you say you are, I won't believe you.

[@karlwilkins3285]

Very useful Andy, thank you

[@TheBILLANDERSON]

My son in law is an gas engineer,, where he is called to inspect for gas leak at residential dwelling , First on the list , park his vehicle well away from the dwelling , then leave his (radio frequency) RF mobile phone as it givers off RF in the vehicle . From there on approach on foot he will approach the dwelling and insert his "gas sniffer" thorough the letter box to test of any gas's A " point to note" is that the Smart meter gives off RF at regular intervals and can cause 💥 which it has done , and brought the house down and damaged neighbors eg Tinsley, Sheffield

[@lindafox5612]

I know someone personally who had an old style meter fitted in 2019. He did not want the smart meter and was told they didn’t make or supply them any more. When the fitter came to install the new “Smart” meter he regaled his story to the fitter. The fitter happened to have a couple of old style meters in the van so he fitted one of those instead.

[@15heartz]

It's a manufacturing blackouts, that is what smart meter will do

[@k.chriscaldwell4141]

_”Oh, look Mary. Bob’s house is dark. I warned him about questioning the immigration policy. What? No, we cant help him. Do you want our meter to get cut off as well?!”_

[@spitzsticker]

Thanks Andy Very useful info. I am resisting the ‘smart meters’ so looked for the end dates on my meters but failed to find them. Useful to know that the threats if not changed are eventually lawful.

[@ArcticwolfGamingUK]

smart meters are not mandatory 14 Aug 2023

[@110adventures7]

I'm a bit late to the party on this video. I had a phone call from my energy provider (British Gas) in December, I was told an appointment has been made to fit my smart meter in January, I replied I don't want one thank you. I was then told my old meter would stop working in January, I replied can I speak to a supervisor as I believe this to be incorrect and illegal. The caller then hung up.

[@jamesbarbour8400]

Good for you - very dirty, low, under handed tactics on the part of the supplier. Makes you wonder, sometimes, what's behind it all, that they'd resort to such measures......

[@tommybinson]

My supplier sent an attractive rep to persuade me. She said she had grown to love her s-meter. I charmingly rejected her conversion attempt.

[@wildthing6668813]

As the date gets closer they will start using the term end of life/certification period to get people to have smart meters even getting court warrants to install them. The cost of the warrants will be put on to the users bill which could mean that someone who paid a monthly DD is put on to a prepayment tariff without them knowing of the change.

[@quercus3290]

dont think that would be legal, adding court costs onto an electric bill

[@lynnepostings]

Pre payment meters ... are brilliant. Contrary to what they want you to think ! Mine was already in my place when I moved in ... 17 yrs ago and I was initially annoyed/worried to find it there ... but grew to really liking it. I keep attempting to pass on info about the benefits/ pro's ... but EVERY TIME my posts are instantly deleted ! Why ??

[@macraghnaill3553]

@@lynnepostings payment meters cost you more in the long run

[@lynnepostings]

PREPAYMENT meters have all the SAME benefits of a smart meter ... apart from sending your reading in !

[@lynnepostings]

@@macraghnaill3553 I''ve not noticed any problem ... to be honest. Just been used to it, how it is ( and I'm CERTAINLY not wealthy ) And when faced with the alternative .... A smart meter ... I BY FAR prefer to stay the way I am ! As far as I am concerned the benefits outweigh all else ... and less complications.

[@peterlaidler3895]

Excellent and enlightening information Andy. I am constantly badgered to have one fitted but have always declined. This info will come in most useful in the future I've no doubt. many thanks

[@interabang]

I just posted on another of your videos about the lifespan of a meter. I always thought it was 25 years but it was worth knowing it might be longer. My bit of advice is when they keep pestering you about the age of the meter just swap provider which delays it again.

[@Choober65]

Bad law is NO law. Try to install a smeter in my home by force, expect to have your life insurance pay your widow. To the uk "government", yourshitty " laws" do NOT apply on my property. MY LAWS apply on my property. Use of deadly force to defend MY property IS authorised. Funny how our old meter, installed in 1970 was in there for 40 years, no problems.

[@izzyplant8428]

Thank you both.

[@franktuckwell196]

I have a letter from Ovo energy, who took over my existing company, stating that until i have a smart meter fitted, they will not sell me any re-newable electricity, (that smacks of Blackmail), like that generated by solar, wind or water power. I said i would only accept a smart meter being fitted (and having to surrender a much needed plug socket), when they can prove that if at any time that i choose to change my supplier, they can guarantee that the meter will still operate properly and not go haywire like a lot of them have been doing in the news of late. So far, stalemate.

[@Super_Lancashire]

Interesting video/advice. Very informative. Thank you. My energy company keep sending me emails/messages to get a smart meter installed. I give them monthly meter readings through there online customer account/direct debit. It works for me and that's how it'll stay until if ever becomes mandatory by law. 👍

[@rickythomson808]

I’m that smart I told them to take a hike😂😂

[@gillfinney3699]

Hi Andy. Like me one of your other commentors, I like having a smart meter. I wrote to you a few weeks ago and got several very cruel remarks back because I said I had willingly had one fitted for electric and gas. As I had recently been widowed, my daughter, she 43,who lived with us took over her dad's roll of paying bills as I was not getting state pension at that time but Ill health prevented me from working. We were not pressured into having them, a representative of both firms talked us through what having a smart meter would mean for us and left us to make up our minds. As our local council had installed solar panels a few years ago we get a fair amount of free electric during daylight hours,no storage facility though. Having the meter disallowed us to watch our usage and budget to the point that we use ,on average, less than £3.00 per day on both fuels, approx £50per month on electric and the same a QUARTER on has virtually all year round . I bet the shoddy peop!e who sent emails pay more than that!!!

[@nickcoppard5335]

Old wheel meter and panels they would owe you money

[@Humanity101-zp4sq]

Electricity supply companies are exposed to price volatility in the wholesale energy markets. In order to mitigate this expose to price volatility, the supply companies are able to predict consumption with greater accuracy. The smart meters protect the suppliers from price volatility by providing data which enables companies to more accurately predict consumption and therefore manage their buying strategy more efficaciously. Smart meters are intended to serve the profit motive of the suppliers, not the householder.

[@davidmorris-jones210]

Im a UK radio operator & we know that the microwave emissions from cellular, smart meters emit these emissions services are not safe. FYI I have been monitoring various military frequencies & decoding the various navies radio texts, with my equipment connected to a Linux computer. UK, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia are Live exercising like crazy & UK forces with NATO forces in UK waters. For the last 2 years military aircraft are being moved to civilian airports. They did this before WW II.

[@corstafine]

Morning Andy, sat with my cuppa watching your vid. Keep up the good work, support from liberal Hellscape San Fran-Bristol

[@bentuffin6357]

I'll go with out electric from the grid and get a generator if that's the case. Never will I ever have one of them. I'm still on analog one. If they take it out nothing will be going back in its place

[@micksroversmg558]

Buy a Lister Petter Ad1 4kw Macron gen set most economical gen set on diesel I have ever encountered they use a gallon of diesel per 13 hour shift! They are old noisey and smokey but very economical most economical gen set I have ever came across!

[@edc1569]

Bravo

[@quercus3290]

@@micksroversmg558 that sounds very expensive, such generators cost thousands of pounds. How many litres of diesel does it use to generate 4kw/hour?

[@martinwarner1178]

Very topical video for me Andy, because my energy company are pressing me for a smart meter, that I'm not wanting. Your video is short, to the point, and very useful. Peace and goodwill.

[@tonyorourke5066]

Thanks for the update Andy. A few years ago I found my electric meter seemed to be going too quick. So I contacted SP and they sent a guy out to check. 2017. I asked for a new meter but they said it was ok. I too have been bombarded with emails and texts telling me my meters old and needs replacing. Funny how they said it was ok before. I’d love to find out the expiry date and see if it’s a 40 year Unit.

[@Martyn-ey9lw]

There is a website that stipulates the certification period of the different makes and models of meter, but you would need to know when your meter was last refurbished (if it's the type with a rotating disc) if it's a digital meter the original certification period was 10 years but I believe they were going to take samples at or around the 10 year mark and if the accuracy hadn't drifted they would extend the life span. digital meters couldn't be refurbish and re-certified.

[@neilgodwin6531]

Mechanical hardware wears out. Who'd have thought it?

[@spotlight_kid]

Another small point, also I reason I will resist smart meters as long as I can, is that the company that is running the software for these meters is DCC, a subsidiary of Capita, and if you fancy a look at Capita's Wikipedia page, you will be able to resd about the poor standard of work they carried out for the NHS a few years back. With a record like that, it fills me with no confidence whatsoever that everything will run smoothly and on time. Also, sorry to go on, are we allowed to insist on seeing the installer's qualifications before we let them in the house ?

[@fleabag2mr.151]

Warning: Don't let them install a smart meter. With a smart meter, electricity companies can charge higher rates at certain times of the day. This is peak/off peak rates. Our electricity rates in 3 years increased 51%, and in 10 years, it increased 110% in California.

[@richardrozmanowski8753]

As a sales representative with a company car, based in London W1, EC4 and SE1 areas, I learnt all the short cuts from taxi drivers. Thank you.

[@vicflange5175]

An old style meter doesn't become dangerous after an expiry date, Which? magazine have confirmed this. True energy companies have been asked to get customers all smart metered by 2025 but smart meters are not mandatory. Supply of replacement meters may be an issue, but if it does need to be a smart meter, due to supply issues, get it put in dumb mode.

[@eabr2881]

Thank you for this information. Very enlightening. Information is power.

[@eileenspamer]

i would never have one like Alexa or the jibby jabby

[@davidendsor219]

Here's a question, can smart meters tell the energy companies when Gas/electricity gets used most (time of day) and can they use that to impose higher tarrifs at those times.

[@whisthpo]

Yes

[@edc1569]

Yes and lower prices at other times, I pay 5p kWh for some hours.

[@edc1569]

Doesn’t apply to gas though, not sure the meters for gas support half-hourly billing

[@kenstevens5065]

I don't know about adjusting tariffs but a few years ago when they were starting to be introduced one reason to go smart was to save the generating companies money and cut emissions as they could measure national consumption on the grid instantly and tailor use of back up systems used in times of high demand. Of course we still have the highest prices than most of Europe and the possibility of power cuts. Sounds the British way at it's best to me.

[@edc1569]

You can set them up so they only report to your provider daily or monthly billing if you choose - though you’ll have to have trust in the system that they are actually doing that!

[@user-tg9ni2gw2n]

Im with EDF for gas and electricity. I can only get a fixed or cheaper tariff with them if i agree to a smart meter 😡. We are pensioners and fuming cuz WE DO NOT WANT A SMART METER. Any energy company should not be allowed to do this to people, if we don’t want a meter fitted then don’t penalise us

[@gizzapint]

Same here. With EDF .

[@ML-jr1yz]

Mine run out of date and i demanded to be replaced with the same one what they did, no long ago.

[@Travatain]

Hi Andy, I think your channel is great and agree with just about all of your comments and views. Having said that I must confess to being one of the few subscribers who actually likes his smart meter and asked for it to be fitted in the first place! Let me explain, my gas and electric meters are both in my front lounge and in difficult places behind settees and other furniture. This was a real pain every time the meters had to be read, so that is why I wanted a smart meter, which has indeed solved the problem. A few years after this the energy crisis hit us and I decided to get solar panels installed which also work very well for me. Now I am want to move to a better tariff to save money and for this you have to have a smart meter, so I can do this with no problem. I will say that I do not trust the government at all since the events of 2019, and I would not be surprised if they used the energy companies to get the meters to switch off power if electricity is in short supply, as it may well be. However they could do this anyway by just switching off circuit breakers at the substations. I hate that the government are continually trying to find more and more ways to control us, using excuses such as the futile net zero plan, they will bankrupt the country if this continues.

[@kjp136]

Have to agree, there seems to a lot of tin foil hats on here for no good reason. I'm on a variable tariff and it saved me 20% last month.

[@bernardm2312]

There are some very good tariffs at the moment for those with smart meters. I may be cutting off my nose to spite my face by refusing to have one. My feeling is that in the future, rather than having cheaper tariffs during periods of low demand, the cost of gas and electricity will be increased further still when demand is high. I'm probably wrong about that of course! One thing I am sure of is that we are still being charged far too much for our gas and electricity, and it seems that the price cap is a really bad idea.

[@TheEmbeddedHobbyist]

@@bernardm2312 i have a smart meter and solar and on a good day they pay me more than i pay them. so who's being smart here.

[@mavericktriple9488]

Myself I was informed a couple of months ago that the energy company has done away with quarterly bills. Now I've got to pay monthly. When you are on a fixed income it can be a struggle. For years now they've wanted to fit a smart meter, I don't want it, another way in controlling us. Saw the other day where these companies were taking payments out and customers had no idea because paying by direct debit. If they had there way they take all your money, and once that's done the shirt off your backs.

[@alexatkin]

When on a fixed income surely monthly is easier?

[@googoo554]

Thank you, its all about control

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

In the USA, they are pushing 'smart thermostats'. I'm sure they are about control as well. Most are 'Google thermostats'. They have to be connected by wi-fi to the internet at all times. Thus they can be monitored or even adjusted remotely.

[@colinwilson210]

One thing to note is when the server that operates these "smart thermostats" is shut down, you've lost all features that made them "smart" in the first place. Look at other consumer technology, Sonos speakers, the Google online games platform you had to buy hardware for, an assortment of other tech devices like CCTV cameras with online access / storage, they shut down regularly, and you can't do anything about it, it's just "gone". I believe one of the original smart thermostat services has already shut down (I can't remember if was under Google or Amazon).

[@user-gp9sh6vv8i]

Very useful, thank you. Energy companies switch your throughout the. I was with a company who kept switching my tariff to Economy 7. They were able to raise my bill by 400% in August, and this was before the 80% increase. The in house display turns from green to red while they do it. Fraud?

[@grottybt5006]

I just ignore all communication with them. Blank them if they're outside the house and try addressing me. Just treat them like the new arrivals, like they don't even exist because they shouldn't

[@phillipsharpe6459]

Is it true that the electric supplies can turn off your supply by remote control with the new meters?

[@jamesbarbour8400]

Yes it is !

[@Richard-wm2vi]

Sorry to be controversial with your "expert" Andy, but I think he is working and writing on behalf of the Gas/Electricity companies. As he is overlooking our human rights (Article 7) The right to a private and family life, home and correspondence.

[@robebanks5054]

We have had our old meters for over 20 years and our yearly bills are way lower than people with smart meters.its better on pay as you go

[@iamthatiam44444]

So who's internet are these smart meters hooked up to if they're 3 and 4G ? I don't know much about them yet.

[@MrFriskyWhiskey]

That’s a very good point actually. Who’s internet is it using? Yours! Therefore your energy consumption will actually increase. Their argument fundamentally flawed and would not stack up in a court of law. Even a child could figure out the basic maths. Smart Meters are about BEHAVIOUR CHANGE. Get people anxious and paranoid about ‘saving money’ by ‘saving energy’. It’s all about creating dependency by sucking off the teat of the Nanny State (Grid).

[@David-jx4gw]

They use 3g/4g to send company the data and local wifi between the meter and the little display that comes with smart meter.

[@David-jx4gw]

They have there own sim card in the main meter

[@iamthatiam44444]

@David-jx4gw oh ok. Thanks for that. I'm hoping my unit block doesn't get them. We don't hear much about them here in Australia as yet.

[@edc1569]

Yeah they just use cellular signals, honestly I’ve no idea what the gripe is about them, much less visits from the meter reader now, suits me.

[@jesss539]

Legislation is not law, neither are acts and statutes.

[@maskedavenger2578]

Legislation is law ,the clue is in the word LEGislation as in the word LEGal which refers to law . Either way if they want to force your compliance they will find a way . All this Freeman of the Land shizzle about acts & statutes spouted on social media is nothing but a load of bullsh💩t .

[@10tendogsdonie]

How can legislation be law ?

[@fluxington]

Of course legislation is law. Next you'll be talking about legal fiction and all that nonsense.

[@patbuckley4039]

@@maskedavenger2578 worth looking into. Many have said for a long time that the language is there to confuse and legal is not lawful.

[@10tendogsdonie]

​@@fluxingtontroll off, law is lawful leagl is legalese, which is not law, we're on to you,

[@Shane_Marsh]

My parents don't have any Internet or wi fi of any kind. How does a smart meter work in this instance ?

[@alexatkin]

They connect over the mobile network, in some places they have cell towers specifically for meters.

[@tonybennett3904]

Fascinating,Andy,some of the comments are bang on.

[@mindsetmatters370]

Thank you for that very useful inforrmation, in particular regarding restraining energy providers from selling personal information.

[@gkpartington5634]

I had a smart meter fitted and then another updated one about 18 months later - the fitter told me they will keep getting updated at a cost of around £1300 a pop WE are paying for that, not the suppliers. And it put all the readers out of work. Feckin disgrace.

[@gatecrasher1970]

what they did not say is that none of the smart meter companies including utilita energy have no idea how to get them fully functioning and is the reason i left the company as all the new smart meter customers was angry , also left due to massive price hikes for no reason for electric after covid

[@allykatharvey]

Thank you for this! Very helpful!

[@bwghall1]

when they advertised these new smart meter a few years ago. saying how good they are and we would all save money. well I went ahead and asked for one to be fitted. and have not had any problems as far as we know. it`s in the porch well away from us, so what should I look out for. Briddy 85 .

[@harry130747]

Re "expiry dates" on meters. In days of yore, electricity meters were mechanical devices that wore out and lost accuracy. They had to be removed and parts replaced and recalibrated every ten years This does not apply to modern meters which have no moving parts. The ultimate purpose of smart meters is to vary tariffs to make electricity expensive when it's in short supply in our brave new world of renewables . So your tariff might vary hour by hour. So by checking the weather forecast you'll know that on sunny/windy days electricity will be cheap. There also exists the possibility of being paid to use electricity when there is a great excess. (Eg to charge up batteries to be sent back into the grid when there's high demand) Don't laugh, this already happens in Europe. And of course you can be remotely cut off for none payment.

[@alexatkin]

Just because something has no moving parts, doesn't mean it wont lose accuracy. Electronics can actually age a lot faster than mechanical. The smart gas meters also use a battery to power them in order to transmit the reading to the electricity meter, so those need periodically servicing.

[@bishopcolenso]

I wonder whether meters have the 'end of life' date inscribed on the body, a bit like a use by date?

[@fluxington]

It used to be that the two digits after the first letter (i.e. Z99xxxxxxx) indicated the year of manufacture was 99. That meter then has a given expected life which can change if that model is subject to inaccuracies found out in the field (this is why they generally don't have an expiry date on them). Meters have a 25, 20, 15 and 10 year life.

[@robtmcL12]

Like everything ever made, things wear out. Electricity meters need calibrating to ensure their accuracy is within agreed tolerances. The businesses that used to perform that calibration no longer exist. Every meter must be changed once their shelf life has expired. It makes sense to have an accurate tally of your usage as you really wouldn't want to pay for energy you haven't used. New smart meters have the ability to tell if you are fiddling or if the power incoming your home is faulting. They can also have contactors inbuilt to isolate your supply if you default on your bill.

[@PeterMaddison2483]

I'm currently renting from a housing association and they've recently had a grant for solar pannels to be installed, which I took the offer up. It's only recently that I discovered that to benefit from my unused electricity being sent to the grid, I need to have a smart meter installed for me to be able to be paid for my unused electricity generated by the solar pannels. I think I'll forego the 16p per KWh they give me as my bills have dropped drastically, compared to what they were before, so NO, I will never be having a smart meter installed.

[@edc1569]

yeah your choice, it is handy though for easily seeing how much you are exporting so you know when to switch on the washing machine etc

[@mumo9413]

I moved into my new home 5yrs ago( Lincolnshire), it had an analogue ( tick over) type meter. Energy Warehouse changed it with a digital one but, no smart meter! For 2yrs, they've been "offering" to install a smart meter. So, to the chap who wrote the letter, you're wrong & I'm no liar!

[@user-hd7we5et5b]

What are energy companies? They are brokers that fit and own the meters. The energy provider is The National Grid which is paid for by taxes. If a man or woman obtains a final bill for gas and electricity, pays it to the broker, and then buys and installs their own meters by a professional legal body, there is no legal or lawful requirement to pay an energy 'bill'. The National Grid cannot by law charge an individual man or woman for energy, but they can charge a corporation. If anyone feels that this is dubious, they can create their own public limited company to own the meters. The nation Grid is funded by taxes, why pay for something that is already paid for? 🙏

[@christopherhunter3415]

The REAL reason for the introduction of the Smart Meters is actually pretty scary. Inside the Smart Meter, there is a large (and expensive) Contactor. This can be controlled remotely - by the electricity company - and allows them to switch off the supply to your house by remote control! This is Contactor to facilitate the forthcoming "Rolling" Power Cuts. When there's insufficient power to go 'round, the companies will disconnect subscribers to "load shed". You will - of course - be able to pay a Premium Rate, and not get disconnected, but your neighbours will still find that periodically they won't have power. When there's insufficient wind, and it's too dull for the largely useless solar panels to make any power, there won't be enough power for everyone. That's when the Cuts will begin. The French and the Dutch will put up their prices, so the Interconnectors will be too expensive for the power companies to use. This is a result of the insane "Green" and "Net Zero" nonsense that is going to totally bankrupt the UK. This new government has installed the worst possible idiot as Energy Minister (Ed Millibrain), and the people of the UK are going to suffer for the sake of a fake "threat". CO2 has exactly NOTHING to do with global temperatures, and stopping the exploitation of our huge reserves of oil and gas beneath the North Sea is nothing short of criminal stupidity. The first disconnections will start in the forthcoming winter, when it's dark and cold, and there's little or no wind. The "Terms and Conditions" for Smart Meters allow for arbitrary disconnections of supply to customers.....

[@austinmorris1693]

and what about the gas meters then do the same rules apply?

[@mauricebarnett6951]

Any court order to enter my property that is not covered by insurance, renders the energy company and any man or woman in uniform aids them is personally liable for trespass

[@fluxington]

Insurance has nothing to do with deeming trespass or not. The law determines what trespass is.

[@10tendogsdonie]

Deemed is not law,

[@fluxington]

@@10tendogsdonie Deemed: to consider or judge something in a particular way.

[@paulb8186]

A court order is basically a warrant to legally enter a property either by being allowed or forced entry. The choice is yours.

[@10tendogsdonie]

@@paulb8186 no judge will sign a court order for a civil matter, the magistrates are admiastrive, on behalf of the government, remember the gov work for us, not the other way round, god, queen, country, then comes elected officials, rishi was selected,