The Issue With Smart Meters No ONE Is Talking About

[@NicolasRaimo]

The Octopus CAD is an alternative to an In-Home Display screen, which sends data from your smart meter via wifi. Both the CAD and the IHD can only work if you’ve got a smart meter which is already connected to Octopus via the smart meter WAN network

[@ChrisLee-yr7tz]

What a great video! It would be really useful if the user could access their data from any supplier. The loop energy app has obviously found a way of interfacing directly with the DCC or the supplier so it's clearly possible. I'd love to be able to analyse my own data real-time.

[@nicolasnicolas3889]

95% of us will be dead by 2033 so I wouldn't worry about the plans of bona fidi nutcases......they are f**king crazy.....

[@grahameida7163]

The CAD does not have full access to the full SMHAN it has to write capability (for security), and can’t be used for back hall or control of critical commands

[@nottsork]

I am on SSE/OVO 4 G is not reliable in my area at present , i have a smart meter that is zigbee compatible, i dont know if there is a zigbe power app as the ovo one simply relays daily info from the website , Phillips Hue is a Zigbee 3 bridge(ZB3) , so are any ZB3 you can get from amazon, i wonder if i pair the meter with my bridge will it relay data over the net to ovo instead of cellular ? Basically changing the communication transport from cellular to ip ? Next question is this route secure

[@karenstevens2873]

​@@ChrisLee-yr7tz😊

[@stevensmith8042]

I was told by an engineer from Morrison data services that people should resist ever have a smart meter for as long as humanly possible

[@rosebud2222]

How much is he getting paid,I found out about those evil meters over 15yrs ago and plenty of other planned tech gadgets,I cannot believe how many people allow the government to track & trace their every move with those tracking apps.

[@dh2032]

the meter man would say that job security, but he will now more the use

[@terrymoney9718]

Nope they can keep it. I'll provide monthly readings

[@rosebud2222]

@@terrymoney9718 Don't worry before 2023 arrives no one will need meters, and no utility company will ever be able turn of your power again.

[@geraldwalsh6489]

I agree...thats why i am doing

[@chris-non-voter]

I've got a meter, it's really smart, it has a wheel that spins at different speeds depending on the amount of electricity I'm using. It also has two digital displays one for econ. 7 and one for Normal (day) usage. I can read this meter at any time of day or night. It's brilliant. I know how much electricity I'm using at any time. I don't need a meter that is anymore clever.

[@douglastodd1947]

and costs an extra £1150 a year or 10% of bill 2020 figures , remember this is on top of your meter rental standing charges, also easy for hackers to break into bank accounts 18 fires caused by them at a time when energy bills go through the roof

[@davemeads859]

I find for some reason if I put a peg on that wheel for half the month it greatly reduces my carbon footprint, at least according to my bill 🤔

[@hamishanderson6738]

There's enough bluddy WIFI in the atmos already thanks.

[@rachel.mcgowan]

I've got one of those but it doesn't even have the digital display, it has the mechanical number counters. The spinning disc is great, you can see your electricity consumption rate instantly. I will fight the imposition of a smart meter until they finally force it through a court order if that day ever comes.

[@davemeads859]

@@rachel.mcgowan that's what happened to me, well without the courts I turned it down said I didn't want it about a month later looked into my meter box and they'd put a brand new "smart" meter in. Said some BS about a meter reader noticed a fault with my previous meter so it needed to be replaced for safety reasons and surprise surprise, we only install smart metres now....🥺

[@stevenclarke5606]

I refuse to have a “smart meter “ fitted , I value my privacy. I get weekly emails letters phone calls from my energy company telling me that I need to have one fitted! Fact of life no company does anything for your benefit!

[@Futura2500]

I was the same until mine failed they told me no choice have to have a smart meter

[@stevenclarke5606]

@@Futura2500 the same has happened to me, the meter failed and I had no option but to have a smart meter fitted, they got me in the end

[@keithhooper6123]

They told you that,but it's not true

[@gargk999]

@@Futura2500 You have no choice only if your meter has stopped working, or is faulty in some way.

[@thetopcat8946]

​@@gargk999I wonder if they can make it fail in some way? Like make sure it breaks down in order for us to have a smart meter fitted.

[@hieroglyph321]

Our smart meter stopped working in Feb-22. We had a OFGEM regulator decision to 'force' the supplier to fix the issue by Jul-22. It's now Sep-22 .... the regulator has NO teeth to forced the issue. They basically admited there's nothing they can do but ask. Which is what I've been doing. The electricity regulator is pointless. I assume the UK taxpayer paying their wages ...we're f@cked. I'm convinced smart meters are another government scam. Contracts for mates. Which other top quality electrical device is manufactured in the UK? Answer: NONE. But the smart meters are ... I wonder why. Jobs for mates. Poor quality devices with a regulator that can't compel them to be fixed. AVOID SMART METERS unless you want to waste your time for nearly a year getting them fixed. What a mistake ...

[@JohnSmith-il3kv]

You needed to have contacted the energy Ombudsman.... they would have forced the supplier to fix the isse.

[@keithw7777]

Likewise my smets2 stopped working,Comms issue 2021 18 months after install , BG keep telling me it's in hand thats ,3 months ago h2onorth

[@StrixTechnica]

SMETS2 is a ridiculously complicated set of protocols designed in a joint effort between GCHQ and the NCSC, it's no wonder there are problems making it work reliably. John Smith is right: the Energy Ombudsman is the organisation to talk to. Very briefly, there are three bits of regulation or statute that may be of help. The Standard Licence Conditions (Electric) 49 and the Smart Energy Code ¶F7.18-F7.19 put the onus on the supplier to fix the problem, or work with the DCC to identify why there is no connectivity and resolve the problem. In addition, the §§49-57 Consumer Rights Act 2015 may provide additional statutory rights which, if they cause your supplier to be found in breach of contract, provide for remedies at §55 and §56. If you know about these bits of obscure regulation, it might be easier to force the utility to comply. But starting off with the Energy Ombudsman is definitely the right thing to do, if you haven't done it already.

[@iantheinventor8151]

OFGEM take the side of the supplier & rarely look after consumers 🤔

[@stuartrowland4818]

​@@JohnSmith-il3kvI used to work for the ombudsman service. They are an "impartial" mediator and have investigations funded by the companies they "regulate" They aren't on the consumer side. If you need to use them, have as much evidence as you possibly can, to help your case.

[@tosspot1305]

The real issue no one is talking about with smart meters is control. They have already introduced peak time charging. They will be able to completely control your supply and dictate what you can and can't use energy for. They can say things like 'you can only charge your car between these times and at this higher rate'. They can shut off your individual supply whenever they want. Why do people think this is a good idea?

[@NicolasRaimo]

They won't turn off supply your just be priced out of wanting to over consume in peak

[@colint8259]

@@NicolasRaimo They will if there is a resource 'strain' to produce, and/or government instructions by policy. We have recently seen 200,000 Californian residents have their smart meters remotely blocked out during a brief heatwave, to stop the use of air conditioners. The broadband idea won't hold and will not be invested in because the energy companies cannot control it. A resident can plug out and disconnect the smart meter control at anytime if on broadband.

[@tusdardcart]

@@colint8259 A few months ago I would have said that you were talking nonsense. However right now I would say that you could be right.

[@johnmckinlay9538]

@@NicolasRaimo They cut electric remotely to a flat I rented out. Think about it, how much would it cost to privately get a smart meter and display unit? Probably about £500. Who do you think is going to pay for all this? The customer obviously.

[@robinwalmsley896]

If you wrap the meter in lead sheet can it still be remotely controlled?

[@peterjones6507]

They'll have to send the police around if they want me to have a smart meter. I fully expect this to happen at some point. It's important that they can control our supply when rationing is introduced.

[@carolevans5285]

There controlling my gas and have taken my money. Making me use the emergency credit when I had put money on my gas. U can't get through on the phone. I have been trying to get through all day and ever time get cut of. I really don't no what to do. This is just the start of controlling what you do. 25th November 2020 be warned ⚠️

[@carolevans5285]

Yes ur spot on . I was in hospital in 2019 and my sons let them fit the smart meter. Today 25th November 2022 they are rationing my gas . Iv payed but there making me use emergency credit. Be WARNED this is just the start. I hate these smart meters and would never of had 1, im stuck now, I want to no where my money has gone as thus is theft. I shall ring them tomorrow as soon as they open, im so angry 😠 😡

[@DanteSolablood]

@carol Evans I work for an energy company & if you're in a position where your meter has been switched from monthly payment to pay as you go.. what would have happened before is that the energy supplier would have got a warrant and broken the door down & installed a pay as you go meter. It happened all the time & the energy company would not paid for repairs. You're still "rationed" but also insecure. Before any "rationing" or being put of pay as you go, the energy supplier has to go through months of letter writing and legal action on their end.. . pretty much the same process they'd have done for older meters.

[@peterjones6507]

@@DanteSolablood Thanks for the useful clarification. But it's the future that's the worry, not the present.

[@angelicasims4511]

They tried to tell us we could get money like100pound byredu ing usage. It entailed getti g asmart meter. I now read that the scheme has been cancelled. Seems like a ruse to get you to get a smart meter.

[@rickykeith1601]

I have ignored 'their' coercion and bullying because I am smart enough to work out that they are for their benefit, not mine.

[@acidthunder1]

Anything that is called "smart" is usually not a good idea

[@PENNYGLEN]

Very interesting video Nicolas - thank you. Glad I've resisted the strong-arm tactics deployed for me to get one fitted. I see nothing but hassle for me to agree to get one fitted for little or no gain to me since I watch my consumption every month anyway and am completely on top of it!

[@NicolasRaimo]

Hi Glen am actually PRO smart meters they have other benefits beyond seeing live data, see the videos Ive done on Octopus GO

[@GeorgeMonaghan]

@@NicolasRaimo Are they free at the point of use? No cost to the consumer in everyday use?

[@hunchanchoc8418]

@@GeorgeMonaghan Not free. The smart meter itself uses some electricity. And the countrywide installation costs are being added onto everyone's bills.

[@parmstrong5305]

Totally agree Glen. I run mine weekly on a spread sheet

[@NicolasRaimo]

@@GeorgeMonaghan correct free

[@soundssimple1]

Smart meters are only smart for the suppliers. Smart meters have limited benefit for a consumer if you only use the energy you need. Why do people need an electrical gadget to tell you to switch off another electrical gadget ? Common sense tells me not to leave lights on, not to leave things on standby, to use electric kettles only with the water in them that you need etc etc etc. I say again smart meters are only for the benefit of your supplier,. They can change tariff during the day / night, they can alter your tariff remotely, they can change your access without you knowing and if you get behind with payments they can cut you off again remotely. They are only SMART FOR THE SUPPLIER. As a footnote, any appliance or gadget that is labelled SMART, is smart for the supplier and DUMB FOR YOU. RESIST THE HARD SELL OF SMART.

[@NicolasRaimo]

Smart meters give me access to cheaper electric over 3 times cheaper

[@soundssimple1]

@@NicolasRaimo Well done to you Nicolas. Are you willing to share information on your suplier and deal with the nation. Are you UK based ? if so please advise and I'm sure the whole country will switch to the supplier that appears to be bucking a worldwide trend of prices tripling. Share your wisdom please as this is one of the first comments I have experienced that actually SUPPORT smart meters. You have obviously come a cross a SMART deal. Please share.

[@NicolasRaimo]

@@soundssimple1 yea see the videos on this channel about octopus go and agile

[@winlinuser]

It's a freaking SHAMBLES - unwanted, useless, pointless. Those responsible for "planning" this should be fired! How much is this multi £BILLION farce costing each customer? I'll wait.....

[@nigelweir3852]

The problem with smart meters is it is pointless for those who already know that turning off unwanted electricity use . Ps wonder how much energy the smart meter uses.

[@Nikoo033]

The energy used by the smart meter is not included in the electricity that you use. The in-house display itself uses 3.5W. So 30.66 kWh a year, so £11.3 at 37p/kWh, current unit price for electricity.

[@bighands69]

@@Nikoo033 So it is a useless system then.

[@Nikoo033]

@@bighands69 hi. In what sense?

[@bighands69]

@@Nikoo033 It is not going to reduce carbon and end up creating more carbon emissions.

[@Nikoo033]

@@bighands69 well, yes and no. To some extent it can help you discover things in your house that are actually using electricity even if you were not aware of it and more importantly, it can allow you to realise how much energy appliances use. Thereby helping you make informed decisions and therefore can help you reduce your emissions. For example, a lot of people don’t know that when your house is equipped with a combi gas boiler, when you use heating or have a hot shower, you are also using a good bunch of electricity (100-180W) because the pump in your boiler uses that much electricity to pump the hot water. Another tip: using a dehumidifier for 3-4 hours (which uses 120-140W) to dry your clothes on an airer uses less energy (~0.56kWh) than using a tumble dryer (1.44kW) for 1-2 hours (2.88 kWh).

[@comwarrior69]

The bigest problem with smart meters is they can bill you for aparent power usage rather than actual power usage... or both...

[@davideyres955]

Spot on. Industrial supply is already billed extra for power factor but they don’t do it for residential because the old meters couldn’t read it. And if they bill for it it’s going to cost you more. No thanks to smart meters. No need for me as I have a power monitor and have already optimised my base load usage down to about 80 ish watts. It’s disgraceful that the power companies are being aloud to force this through by restricting tariffs to only smart meter users. It makes my blood boil that they charge more for payment on receipt of bill since it dosnt cost them any more to collect it.

[@markjohnson8260]

@@davideyres955 It is a regulatory decision whether to bill for power factor. If they ever DO this on residential customers, the regulators will use their authority to assure it is "REVENUE NEUTRAL", i.e. the costs will be spread among customers in proportion to how they are incurred. A regulated utility is entitled to a stated rate of return on its "used and useful" assets. The regulators control this number, no way do they want a utility to be making more than their say-so.

[@brianlopez8855]

Yes they ASSUME a constant voltage which is incorrect

[@airvicemarshalsirgeorgemas2083]

EXACTLY. If you have many inductive devices and led lighting units , your power factor will be poor. Way Les than 1, thus, you can get charged for virtual power, Vars, and will pay 10% or more for the same work done

[@MarcUK]

The problem with smart meters are the greedy companies knowing at what times you use the most electricity and giving you a tariff that charges you more during these times. It's already happening in Europe with companies charging people more at certain times during the day.

[@Sjb-on5xt]

The real purpose of the Smart meter is so at times of energy shortages, (lack of wind power), the Grid can instruct the energy suppliers to remotely disconnect your supply temporarily. Power cut rota.

[@Greguk444]

Great helpful video. I have put off getting a smart meter because of all these issues. I’m still not convinced they will benefit me

[@NicolasRaimo]

They should benefit you, it depends how you use them many can use them to use power better or find devices wasting power in homes... Other use them like me to get cheaper offpeak electric this means I have knocked 60% off my bill

[@suzycat2026]

Which supplier & tariff are you on?@@NicolasRaimo I would like this special rate too. My supplier O vo offer nothing as far as cheaper tariff goes. They won't even come & check said broken gas meter. I wish the emergency gas engineer had just left my mechanical gas meter , he thought he was doing me a favour putting in digital one that will not wake up.

[@anthonymiley188]

I am receiving letters saying that my electric meter is coming to the end of its life, not broken or dangerous, but end of life and that they will fit a smart meter to replace it. If cast is true then wait until the companies get their act together.

[@lesleybrown1583]

NOTHING with smart on it is smart! The illuminati mocking the masses whilst they destroy you!

[@al251049]

Just say no to smartmeters

[@NicolasRaimo]

Why

[@danythrinbell1596]

you can't they will cut your power

[@doublevisio]

It was only when I got a smart meter that I realised that my old whirly wheel meter wasn't measuring my consumption all that accurately. My usage jumped by nearly 15% and I hadn't changed anything except the meter. I think that's why the want everyone to change really, to replace those old "slow" meters. I solved the problem by installimg solar panels. That got 'em.

[@bighands69]

That is another problem how do people know that the meters are accurate and have not been tampered with.

[@drewhodge3820]

New so called smart meters don't measure the electric used correctly. They see very low wattage items like LED light bulbs and low wattage phone chargers as high current draw items. Which is why you bill increased with a false reading on the so called "Smart Meter".

[@nickcoppard5335]

Should have got panels and kept wheel meter

[@BenCos2018]

@@drewhodge3820 wth.....

[@joewoodchuck3824]

Yeah, spending thousands on solar panels to save a small amount of increased bill made perfect sense - to no one.

[@EleanorPeterson]

I'm in the north of England (Yorkshire) and have had an S-2 meter for several years. No problems so far, and the various changes of supplier have gone without a hitch. I choose to live a very frugal existence on a tiny budget (£800 per year [eight-hundred quid annually]). My 1913 2-bedroom terraced house has no heating, no refrigeration, and I don't have a mobile phone. I don't bother plugging in the little in-room monitor display because I'm already using the absolute minimum amount of electricity (280 kWh per year [two-hundred and eighty annually, less than 1kWh per day]), so I really don't care what the meter's getting up to. Plugging in the monitor wastes precious power which I'd rather use for something useful (like cooking); I can't use any less, so monitoring my hourly or daily usage is pointless. The abolition of zero-standing-charge tariffs really hit me (and thousands of other small consumers like me) hard: my bill more than DOUBLED overnight. I'm almost at the point where the standing charge [fixed at £0.17 per day until 4th November this year] means that I can't even afford to use NO electricity! Sigh. Anyway, I'm fairly sure that the shutdowns and frequency changes in 2030 won't affect me because, the way prices are rising, I'll probably have run out of money in a few years and will have asked to have the meter removed and for my supply to be cut off. They can take their d*mn 'dim' meter back; I'll do without electricity altogether. 😞

[@martinwarner1178]

Now that is a REAL rebellion! Like your style. Peace and goodwill.

[@johngibson3837]

Hey up Eleanor I'm much the same the standing charge is more than half my bill

[@nauxsi]

Smet1 was the reason I have opted out of smart meters. The idea that if they don't work we can turn it off, go back to manual reading. Well we are doing that anyway. Why go through the hassle of these meters. Too much corporate incursion into our homes without our permission. Now if they said whoever installs a smart meter in 2024 will get 40% off their bill, I might give it another look.

[@bmmaaate]

I had a letter arrive saying that the leccy company would be insisting that they install a smart meter in March 2023. I will be resisting for as long as possible.

[@NicolasRaimo]

Why?

[@deang5622]

They are only issues if you want a smart meter. The question is, why do you want a smart meter? Do you not know how to take a meter reading every 3 or 6 months and type it in to your computer, or telephone the power company? Do you not know how to identify which appliances in your house use the most electricity? When enough people have switched over to smart meters, they can then 1. Activate time variable pricing, so you are charged more for electricity consumption during peak hours, 2. Charge you for reactive power caused by capacitive and inductive loads, something they have never charged for before, never needed to charge for. We have managed for a hundred years without charging in this way and the companies have not lost money.

[@richardsandwell2285]

Smart meters tend to cost you more money, old meters used to only measure actual power consumption, unless it was for industry reactive power was not measured, it was considered to be too small to worry about. Smart meters measure both actual and reactive power, so many devices containing capacitors like drivers in LED lights will cost you more to run with a smart meter. The power companies do not tell you that.

[@thepikeangler2022]

But how? In the standing charge you pay?

[@petehiggins33]

This is nonsense, whatever the smart meter can measure you are only charged for the real power and not reactive power and there's no suggestion that this will ever change.

[@Juls27989]

Smart meters should never have been in the first place, they are more trouble than what they are worth .. simple as.

[@suzycat2026]

Totally agree! There should be a system to opt out of them.

[@NicolasRaimo]

They work great, they reduced my energy bill by over 60%, 10% was finding devices over using power and the other 50 was moving to a deal that changed it cost for night time off peak rates.

[@suzycat2026]

They don't all work great @Nicolas Raimo We don't need a smart meter to check how much electricity a device uses. What if we are already using as little as possible, like 80 electricity units per month. You must be the really lucky one, I have not heard anyone else claim smart meters save them 60% . Most people's bills have gone up much more than the 54% price cap. Can you say which energy company & tariff please, so we all may benefit.

[@Juls27989]

@@suzycat2026 The only way they help to reduce the bill is on the idea that you can constantly watch how much your using which in turn worries you so you stop using so much, I was tricked into having a smart electric meter put in, as I had a power cut on my street which broke my old type meter, so phoned them up and after weeks of arguing with them and telling them I didnt want a new smart meter put in and only wanted the old type in, they just wouldnt agree and sent someone to put a smart meter in, and unbelievablably even came with a new smart gas meter as well in which had not been needed or agreed to, so I wouldnt allow them to put that in as well.

[@suzycat2026]

Yes exactly so@@Juls27989 They want everyone worrying about energy. Those display units are an insult to intelligence. Lucky you still have your mechanical gas meter, wish I did. Emergency gas man changed mine last year without me asking. After being swapped suppliers, I caught them both charging me for same 500 electric units! No apology or customer help about it. They are in financial trouble & stealing from good customers.😐 Remember too that 54% price rise was well before any UKR trouble.. Bad planning by gov. was the reason. Now, see how they all blame Russia for price increase.🙄 There should be an opt out scheme for people & areas where these infernal things aren't wanted or don't work. I paid £1200 to put gas into my building 20years ago & really don't want a smart meter on my property. Now I have a broken digital gas meter that gives nobody readings, with a thieving company that won't investigate it. Best not stressing it, at least I caught them. Best of wishes this Summer Solstice ☀️ 🙂

[@RidesInforests]

JUST SAY NO. Simple Self monitoring analyzing and recording technology. Its a trap!!!!

[@airvicemarshalsirgeorgemas2083]

Don't forget to look at 'loadshed'. The LAN device in the meter will communicate with so called smart devices in your home. They will be controlled centrally to manage demand, so your freezers etc can be switched off remotely. No doubt all high power devices too.

[@NicolasRaimo]

name 1 device that does this? I wish it was possible as I could just link it to my smart meter instead of using home automation tools

[@1954Antony]

Dumb meter, dumb phone, just the way I like it.

[@NicolasRaimo]

Which is fine… but in future you will pay a premium for your electric if you don’t want to adapt

[@sid35gb]

Surge price charging. So at peak times you’ll get to pay more to boil the kettle if everyone else is at the same time. Rip off.

[@aylesburynumptydrivers9672]

There are much.much bigger issues with surveillance meters. 1, remote disconnect that they can use to "load shed" or if malicious hackers get into the network they can turn them all off. 2, they WILL be updated to measure apparent power rather than actual power costing the consumer more. 3, when they have the 1/2 hourly reading they will work out your own personal peak times to charge more. 4, all EVs now have to have a smart charger. They will be updated to use data over mains cable so that the kwhs that are used to charge the car will be reported as road fuel and taxed as such. 5, with an analogue meter if you are unlucky and can't afford the bills for a few months it takes the company best part of a year before they can get a warrant and break in to fit a prepay meter. With a smart meter this is possible within days at the click of a mouse.

[@jam99]

Most of this is just BS.

[@aylesburynumptydrivers9672]

@@jam99 keep on believing the b's the gov and power companies tell you then no skin off my nose. I know the truth and as I say anything "smart* is not good for the consumer only the provider

[@Strider9655]

You're forgetting the built in ability for remote calibration..................... Imagine increasing power usage by a barely noticeable 1%, and then imagine 66 million people with smart meters.

[@jam99]

@@Strider9655 And imagine someone actually works this out, proves it and tells the Daily Mail. Actually, there would be no need for someone to work it out because humans with smart meters in their houses actually are the people who write the software and we do not live in North Korea. When we do, you have a point. Let's try not to get there, eh.

[@Strider9655]

@@jam99 You're joking right? DMGT and Reach PLC are most likely being paid, have you seen the crap they're spouting? "energy saving tips" that seem to involve buying energy consuming devices?

[@dcvariousvids8082]

Oh dear. 2023 is a blink away and 2033 is barely more that a hiccup. Thank you for another excellent presentation. I’ve not seen or read any of this and it’s not being broadcast from suppliers’ rooftops. Which is more than pitiful, as our money is funding their expansions.

[@NicolasRaimo]

You're very welcome

[@andy530i]

Smart meters never needed the capability to transmit RF signals of any type, as they are permanently connected to two wires, and the necessary signals could be sent down these wires.

[@clivepierce1816]

Another useful video. We live in a remote rural area without reliable mobile coverage. Nonetheless, Octopus Energy has installed a SMET-2 and it works just fine - at the moment at least. Another issue you may not have heard about is a compatibility issue between the Landis+Gyr E470 smart meter and the Tesla Powerwall 2. In short, this results in the meter reporting spurious grid consumption. I discovered this purely by chance when comparing our Tesla hourly consumption data with that reported by the Octopus App. It turns out Octopus Energy has known about this problem for at least three years, yet it continues to install this faulty brand of meter. After two months of incompetence, I’ve decided I will have to report them to the Energy Ombudsman. While Octopus Energy is a forward thinking, innovative organisation, their customer service is frankly not fit for purpose.

[@NicolasRaimo]

You might be in the north area for signals

[@Handmemoretramadol]

Good luck with the ombudsman waste of time in my case

[@shaurz]

I had to report them to the Energy Ombudsman as they falsely alleged I owed the £1200 after I was transferred to them when Avro went bust and they hadn't sorted it out after 8 months of back and forth. They quickly resolved it after that. Their energy dashboard thing is completely broken for me and doesn't properly show my usage data, and my smart meters randomly stop working for days at a time for no discernable reason.

[@merlin5476]

​@@shaurz it sounds like a lot of these energy companies are useless at getting anything correct. with OVO energy i get bills so random it's actually amusing, 1 week i will get a threatening letter saying I'm in credit by £850.00 !! ring them up & they say "no, your only in credit for £45.00 then i get email saying i owe £ 850.00 !! when i ring them i suddenly owe £ 1300.00 😮.... its October now & this has been going on since February. No one at OVO has a clue what they are doing. But BEWARE.... if you accept their £25.00 compensation for there gross incompetence it automatically closes your case & you have to pay their error for the largest bill.... £ 1300. in my case 😣 . you actually get a better response if you talk to the lady in the village bakery.😅

[@timoliver8940]

If you think Octopus customer services are bad you should try Ovo’s - I’ve been trying to tell them by email that I have had to replace my FITs generation meter - email them at 10pm and they tell you all phone lines to them are inundated- odd as I sent an email and it was while their FITs dept is not manned ‘ out of office hours………… 3 weeks in and still no confirmation that they have received my new meter’s details………

[@Kgjl1234]

The last thing people should do is have a smart meter fitted. There's a lot of things in store for people who have these things. And it's all for the energy benefits. People really should look into this.

[@carlyonbay45]

I do monthly readings - tap them into an app - it’s easy - I can pay my bill on the app … I don’t want or need a smart meter .

[@languagetruthandlogic3556]

Good comment - I agree 100%! What is the ulterior motive for the push for smart meters?

[@kiddywolf1837]

Why bother with this crap. Tell the energy companies where to go!

[@robsmith1a]

I had a SMETS1 meter fitted by British Gas some years back, switching suppliers and it not working was very annoying, what a waste. So energy fitted a SMETS2 meter a couple of years ago and now I am with Octopus I am pleased it still works. I export energy fromy solar. If I have to have another set of meters junked I will really despair with the total lack of planning. Great video, well explained.

[@motherofallemails]

Unbelievable that you get to export energy. I'm going to buy dirt cheap panels and stuff my roof with them myself, but pretty sure I won't get to sell my surplus power, not with my old 1950's meters that can't be changed lol! I'll probably use the surplus power for hydrogen extraction or something. All very exciting.

[@judebrown4103]

We're with Bulb. As they're going under we got them to fit a smart meter so we're ready to change supplier if that proves to be necessary. The meter they fitted worked for a week or so, then it ceased showing anything for gas on the display. When we were told to look outside at the actual meter that is completely blank too. They insist that they can see our reading and our bills will be from those readings. I don't know how that's possible but I hope it's right because this winter to compensate for price increases we turned down the thermostat by 1.5° so there's no way our readings would be as high as previous years. We are in a good reception area for Wi-Fi etc here in our corner of Kent but I'm anxious about our bills and would definitely find having anything replaced a bit worrying after this experience.. 🤔 Need to study this vid again when I have more time. Thanks Nick. 👍

[@suzycat2026]

Similar problem here. New gas digital meter (dumb) fitted only last year. It stopped showing readings (I hadn't checked it since June due to illness). No readings get through, can't seem to get my Energy come to replace gas meter. They say no readings for over a year.. So now must rely on ridiculous estimates. Seems no such thing as engineer visits or meter readings now. If I were you I would not trust them.

[@judebrown4103]

@@suzycat2026 you're right, I certainly don't trust them. Hope you get your situation sorted soon. I think there are resources out there for contesting ridiculous estimates... the ombudsman etc... Seems there are so many people in the same boat that we will may have to work collectively to get this sorted!

[@suzycat2026]

Hopefully I'll be sorted before Winter comes @@judebrown4103 That's when the estimates get crazy high. If you are changing supplier, how can you know where to end & start new readings , definitely need to keep an eye on numbers.. When I was moved over companies, the old company on seeing my first real electricity reading in a year, changed their final bill estimate number from Jan'22 by adding on 500 units! They demanded new company add it on bill. They were both charging for same 500 units until I noticed. Been in touch with people who help deal with difficult energy problems. Fingers & paws crossed.

[@judebrown4103]

@@suzycat2026 remain vigilant I guess is the key... At the moment Octopus is one of the companies looking at Bulb, could be handy further down the line. Reading the comments here, clearly we're not the only ones with unreadable metres so there is chaos to come by the looks of things. I don't have the physical or mental energy to get worked up over it, what will be will be. We've done our best to communicate with them, we get a new metre fitted some time in August would you believe?! I had my rant when that notification came through but I'm saving actually giving it to them until we know just how bad the situation is going to get.

[@suzycat2026]

Vigilant & detective @@judebrown4103 I had to dig to find out simple billing information. Getting new meters installed is a must. At least you will see the readings to check. My neighbour is with Octopus & seems happy with them. Health, I was having heart palpitations & panic attacks over what happened. We should not have to deal with such treatment. O vo have no idea of customer service, wouldn't recommend them. ☀️Summer Solstice is today! 🙌🏻 Best wishes @Jude Brown.

[@Space-O-2001]

Whatever we do can we rush something out that results in a ton of e-waste due to shortsightedness. Great video!

[@Westexec]

And who pays for these meters? We all do as consumers whether we have one or not. No wonder our energy bills are so high

[@briangriffiths114]

Until this (informative and interesting) video, I never knew that we have a different data transmission system here in Scotland. I have had both the first and second incarnations of smart meters and there have been no issues with them. But as you suggest, they should not be fitting technology that will soon be redundant. It is similar to housebuilders, who continue to routinely install gas boilers in new-builds which will have to be replaced by ASHPs in the relatively near future.

[@NicolasRaimo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@briangriffiths114]

@Andrew Ridley I wrote approved installer MCS procedures manuals for all the microgeneration technologies, including heat-pumps, which have good and bad points. In my case, retrofitting would be near impossible because of siting issues so I intend to keep my gas boiler as long as I am able as this works well in tandem with the solar PV system.

[@DanteSolablood]

If it helps, the S1 to S2 firmware update which is called "Enrollment" is well underway & the vast majority of S1 meters will be S2 compatible by the end of the year. In regards to the 2G/3G issue.. the only data sent back to the energy company is the reading and are basically text messages (we're talking 10 bytes for an average read), much like texts they're fairly instantaneous. I work for a supplier and can pull a reading from a 2G meter and depending on the meter itself can have the read within a fraction of a second. Oddly enough 2G tends to be more reliable than 3G.. 3G is faster but doesn't carry as well.

[@bighands69]

Your assumptions of data usage are based on honesty by certain actors in the world. Those systems can be hacked and all manner of backdoor projects could be slide in there. Smart meters offer no benefits to the power companies or the governments. The stated goal of reducing carbon simply will not be the real usage of the systems. If it was voluntary were people could opt in and there was different products available with different standards and different applications then it would be different.

[@jamiereilly4015]

Is there any proof that the meters can only send a text stating the meter reading? The energy companies are claiming they can remote disconnect the supply. They also claim if the meter loses power, it will report back stating a power loss. Is there any truth to these claims?

[@dungareesareforfools]

So we're replacing devices that work fine for decades with ones that are outdated within half a decade, and calling them "smart".

[@roytetwart]

I want a meter that gets affected by a dirty BIG magnet!!!!

[@NicolasRaimo]

you want to commit a crime... wonderful advise....

[@bennevis21]

😂😂

[@JackosJingles]

I refused. I blocked the number where they were phoning me trying to get me to accept. They refused my request to have them put in writing that it wouldn't effect my solar feed in tariff. I'm not playing at all.

[@nigelweir3852]

Backward compatibility is possible, but where’s the money in that. Built in obsolescence obviously the way the world works, more tech to be dumped, what a waste

[@NicolasRaimo]

It costs them money not you so seems silly!

[@barrieshepherd7694]

@@NicolasRaimo I don't agree, consumers pay all the costs for metering through the standing charge and OFGEN levies. The supply authorities recover all their past, current and future metering costs.

[@gino2465]

This video is fantastic and it's worth talking about. I live rural and we have had 2 attempts of smart meters and each time they have come they have said it will work, but it did not. So for rural people it means no smart meter and also that means we cannot have certain tarifs like say ev tarifs so we are all missing out. I cannot quite understand why rural people could not just be connected to the home internet to ping the data they need.

[@MrCsholdom]

Here here, I'm in the same position with no mobile mobile signal.

[@gino2465]

@@MrCsholdom trouble is we are being penalised and cannot have cheaper deals to save money

[@beardosenior]

Ask your supplier to fit a SKU 2 coms hub with a t2 aerial (if you haven't already). You can look at a t3 aerial but this would need to be fitted by a separate contractor. The t2 aerial has a short cable but you could buy a longer lead (it's just a coax connecter) that would give the option of fitting the aerial higher. Hope that helps.

[@steveharvey2001]

My SMETS2 electric meter went offline a month ago and I don’t have any idea what my energy consumption, Gas or Electric, is or whether it is still even measuring it any more. I am on Octopus GO and I don’t know if the half hour recordings are being logged for future upload when the cellular connection is re-established. I have an account with 400 pounds in credit and rising with each DD. Have informed Octopus but have no idea what is going on. I need to renew my tariff next month, but with a dumb meter, I don’t know what I qualify for.

[@suzycat2026]

My digital dumb gas meter stopped showing readings,, can't seem to get them out to check, or replace it. Are both yours not even showing readings or sending? Be careful about building up ANY CREDIT with these Energy companies. They always find a way to take it away.. You should check where you stand online & claim your refund credit asap.

[@NauticalNightmareDeep]

I am a smart meter engineer with 10 years experience. This guy is really clueless! The touch screen device is called an IHD or In House Display, not a smart meter. He makes too many mistakes to list! I have a smart meter and the only down fall is the psychological impact when the wife and kids come home and that IHD shows you the amount of money draining out of your account. 😅

[@richardgoldsmith7278]

So far, I’ve elected to defer the installation of smart meters, as I have my own energy monitor integrated with my solar PV and battery system, so no advantage to me allowing one to be fitted. The more I discover, the more I am glad I did that.

[@NicolasRaimo]

Advantage would be adaptive energy deals

[@richardgoldsmith7278]

@@NicolasRaimo But only if I wanted to switch from Ecotricity, which I don't and won't. Their E7+EV tariff suits me 100%.

[@PhoneVidoes]

@@richardgoldsmith7278 Same here, wont have any such tosh as a smart meter, until they pay me for the data I'm supplying them then they can swivel. quite happy with my clunky time clock and old style meter on my E7 tariff which I still feel I'm getting a half decent deal on and no chance they could ever mess about with it, well unless they break into my house LOL

[@stevecarrick2632]

Don't change worst mistake i have ever made

[@Saint696Anger]

That mind frame will encourage solar instalment = green energy advancement Eventually that will be regulated years down the road

[@terranceyeo3087]

have you noticed something else with smart meters, In the old system you paid a standing charge of a set price, now with the new smart meters your standing charge is based on the electricity used and gas the same

[@crabby7668]

Interesting to hear your take on the 3G shutoff. I had read earlier last year that it was set for late this year( iirc August) but was now pushed back to next year. I suspect that this year's date was pushed back because of covid delays. As others have said it is very poorly advertised, and will probably catch quite a few out.

[@dh2032]

yes and 3G is one the new one's to all the new e-waste it going to make relievedly new equipment too

[@arthurdinucci]

I've heard that if you charge an EV at your property overnight and there is a shortage of power on the grid during the night - then the smart meter will take the charge out of the vehicle - and you will receive a payment for that - but you might not be able to drive your car very far - is this the case?

[@NicolasRaimo]

Totally untrue, it is possible yes but you need a special charger and car plus you agree and state a percentage your happy with it to drain to they don’t just take it, the idea is they might borrow some and then replace it but it’s more likely to happen in day between 4/6pm not at night

[@markmilligan6616]

Being on SMET2 octopus fitted meter problem I have is that the IHD (in home display doesn't update the tariffs, which are accessible via mob app or pc, trouble is when ever there is an article about smart meters they show the IHD 🙄 IHD manufacturer says energy company can update them but guess what? Yup they don't!

[@suzycat2026]

Another reason I wouldn't want an IHD ! Just a functional gas meter would be fine,, like the good mechanical one they took away last year. Now , left with "digital dumb" gas meter that gives no readings to anyone. My Energy Co. reluctant to change it , perhaps due to lack of £funds.

[@roundel52]

Interesting. I have a SMETS2 fitted by Octopus, and very recently, my IHD now changes tariffs automatically in line with my GO contract. Cool. So they certainly can/do do it, maybe a call to Octopus?

[@markmilligan6616]

@@roundel52 I have and they told me that they can't do it, just makes me wonder if there are different versions of smets 2 meters they fitted or they need to program it in person. Maybe it's the version of IHD? Either way it does not reflect my go tariff correctly, it's not a major issue as I have an emonpi which I can set the tariffs myself.

[@markmilligan6616]

Just an update I chased Octopus on my gas meter fitment, I'll see if anything changes after that.

[@davem6442]

The issue with smart water meters is if the system is hacked a thief could monitor usage well enough to predict when someone isn't home or on vacation. It makes a break-in easier for them to time. One couple in Streetsboro Ohio just started a moratorium on city wide installs so all the issues can be looked at. Not everything that can be "smart" is safe for the home owner. It would be great in a perfect world but there are too many people looking at the illegal usage of new technologies.

[@SDK2006b]

My SMETS1 smart meter works with Octopus Go, so it costs just £15 to charge my EV for 600 miles ⚡️👍🏼

[@bloby1212]

What kind of SMETS1 meter do you have? I have a Landis+Gyr and am on Octopus Go. It worked for a few weeks and I could see my usage on the Octopus App, but then it suddenly stopped working. Have contacted Octopus, and they say they are working on it, but its been 2 months now...

[@SDK2006b]

@@bloby1212 - I have a Secure Liberty 100 SMETS1

[@finchyfun1]

We have just phone e-on to have an isolation switch fitted. Plus to have the tails change to 25 mm so we’re all set to have an EV charger when we’re ready for it. e-on without me even asking are upgrading the meter so we can take advantage of EV tariffs which currently stands at 6.9p per kWh. Don’t know yet if it’s 3G,4G or 5G. Find out next week.

[@mykota2417]

Are (can) they increasd the amp strength so you can have a faster charger?

[@ratusbagus]

Now that I have a smartphone I've discovered I can use it's torch in combination with my NHS glasses to interface with my meter. This year I'm planning to upgrade and extend my system to V2.22 by utilising the on board camera to provide a digital audit trail. At this point the system will sunset my NHS glasses whilst continuing to retain backwards compatibility. Not worried about SMEG 2 or later. I imagine that my most ambitious plan for 2035 will be changing my ointment.

[@NicolasRaimo]

Smart meters do open up CHEAPER energy deals tune back in 2 weeks I got a video on how they will pay people MONEY

[@1982dsc]

I think the big old diesel generator running waste oil will be fired up soon to charge the car. All this hassle and the fact of the government wanting to tax ev electric is very frustrating. We need to get off the grid entirely.

[@shaunclarke94]

As someone from Australia I'm surprised you still have 2G networks. Ours were decommissioned ages ago.

[@sempereadem54eadem64]

Anybody who has one of these fitted ain’t smart.

[@coffeeisgood102]

I learned a lot here. I live in The US and meters are typically outside on the exterior wall. The only exceptions are condo or large offices which have a special electric room on the bottom floor where the main panels and meters are located.

[@johnb8956]

That’s the same as our metres here. The smart metres are dubbed as a replacement to these.

[@sp1es]

Eager to see the interview about the CAD, do you know when that video will be out?

[@TheChrisheath7]

Why in the current climate, anyone would want to fit a smart meter is beyond me. Big brother can shut you down if they don't like your level of usage at any point in time. Sorry, I'm paying through the nose for it, and I shall use as much as I please.

[@cognitivefallacy450]

Interesting stuff! I didn't know that a dedicated radio network was used in the north, I just assumed all smart meters used GSM for communication. The 2G/3G sunset affecting smart meters also didn't occur to me, but perhaps this is me being optimistic, I can't imagine being a major problem - firstly I would hope that 4G meters are now being deployed for new installations, although that might not be the case. Secondly I suspect that 2G will dragged out for as long as possible, as you say there are still plenty of 2G devices in use and the there being a fleet of meters probably means 2G won't be switched off. Lastly I believe meters are expected to be replaced after ten years, so most of the current fleet are likely to be due for replacement. Between those three points I can imagine most meters will be taken care of, though undoubtedly some will be problematic.

[@2Sorts]

Most, dare I say it, old people, still use the old 2G handsets. Even those basic Doro phone that use the 3G network will get cut off too. Phone manufacturers need to get making 4/5G versions of them pretty soon.

[@nathanwhite2129]

How stupid can customers get? Smart meters are being sold on the premise that the customer can regulate and monitor, by the second, their own energy usage . . . that's the sales pitch! But . . . this is a con! They are being promoted because their technology will allow energy companies to take total control of a customer's energy usage, not the customer! The customer will be dictated to, with penalties imposed for exceeding specified usage, and power cut off's imposed remotely by the energy companies. They are just waiting for the green light by Central government.

[@mda5003]

My SMETS1 meters were "dumb" for years and I regularly supplied meter readings but since my energy supplier went bust Octopus took over my supply. Surprisingly, without even visiting my property they have recently converted them to SMETS2 and now get the meter readings automatically. How did that happen?

[@suzycat2026]

Did they change your meters? That is thought provoking as I'm stuck with "dumb digital" gas meter that doesn't show or send readings. Can't seem to get the company to replace it either.

[@roundel52]

All SMETS1 meters (at least in the South) are stopping sending their readings to the supplier, and instead sending them to the Data Collection Company (DCC). DCC understand all of the various SMETS1 protocols and simply collect and pass the data on to the energy company. So your meter is technically still a SMETS1, but it no longer matters as for your purposes it will now act the same as a SMETS2. I understood that the whole (of the South?) would be going through the DCC system by the end of 2022.

[@mda5003]

@@suzycat2026 They did not change the meters, they just upgraded them.

[@mda5003]

@@roundel52 Yes, that makes sense I guess. Thank you.

[@NicolasRaimo]

The Gas meter talks to the electric meter they normally have to be installed by the same provider, and be the same make to pass the information to each other. If you want a meter reading however the screen will show a display normally when pressing a button on SECURE meters this is the number 6 from memory

[@johnstevens282]

Approx 5years ago, I was nagged by Toto energy, into having smart meters, 18 months later, the were bankrupt. To my surprise, my so called smart meters, can't be read, by any other energy suppliers

[@antwnpowell]

In France the smart meters communicate via the power cable (like power line)

[@NicolasRaimo]

Am sure we had talks of doing the same and never happened, its clever idea to strap an RF signal down the electric wire

[@BigA1]

Some houses use WiFi extenders, which also put signals on the mains cable. There would be interference between them.

[@garrycroft4215]

I’m on Smet1 OVO energy are quoting more that a year for an upgrade. It doesn’t effect me as I can’t charge at home anyway but for others it must be a pain. They will never catch up by the time they have fitted a Smet2 3 and 4 will be out on 5,6 and 7G it’s a bad joke.

[@Adeleisha]

Odtopus won’t replace our really old SMETS1 meter that is still awaiting an update to enable smart functionality again (last in queue for the DCC)… we have an EV and higher than normal household usage due to illness and disability, yet cannot take advantage of Go etc. despite having it at our last property. It is infuriating, especially as we are wanting to install a home battery. No point if we can’t get TOU tariffs.

[@suzycat2026]

Digital dumb gas meter here that doesn't show or send readings. O v o don't want to check or replace it. Seems they happy with ridiculous estimates & ridiculing customers.

[@dalroth10]

A very interesting video, thanks for posting it. I had my SMETS2 smart meter installed by Octopus Energy about 18 months ago. There were a few hiccups with the gas smart meter not communicating reliably with the electricity smart meter but this was because the two meters are located at opposite ends of my house. Fair play to Octopus though, they stuck at it and finally managed to resolve the problem. They've been working fine since then. I do check the readings on my meters every month to make sure they tally with the Smart meter totals, which they have done to date. I didn't know about forthcoming changes to the telecoms network and definitely agree with you that all comms units going into Smart meters being made today should be 4G or 5G compatible. Doing this will save the cost and hassle of updating units in the future. I would like to think that manufacturers could re-design their meters so the comms units could be swapped by a customer, rather than by an engineer. Literally make it a plug and play part of the meter? Let's face it, we all know how to sap a SIM card in a phone or tablet. This would avoid the huge cost and hassle of having to send engineers to people's homes just to swap the comms unit. It would also future proof the meters so they can be modified further as comms technologies develop. For now I will at least understand what's going on when I eventually get a message from my supplier telling me of the network change.

[@romac9516]

With respect, there's nothing wrong with existing legacy meters. What advantages have you noticed?

[@davidfalconer8913]

With an older meter you should give your company a reading once a month ( how difficult is that ! ! ) , also smart meters can cut you off remotely ( the Internet frequently gets hacked ! ) , with an older meter a GEEZER has to come round with a bag of tools to cut you off .... QED ....... DAVE™ ................

[@SirHackaL0t.]

I’m pretty sure that BigClive has been talking about these for a while.

[@NicolasRaimo]

about the 2g 3g? must of missed that one I normally NEVER miss a Clive ep

[@SirHackaL0t.]

@@NicolasRaimo I might be mistaken. I thought he mentioned it on his teardown of a smart meter.

[@Adeleisha]

Another BigClive fan! Been watching his stuff since waaay back (electronics nerd 😆)

[@ronsummers4090]

My server keeps asking me to fit a smart meter, I said ok, but when they came they said they could not fit one because the supply (which comes into my apartment) also serves two adjoining apartments. They said I would have to pay to have the supply separated. Why would I shell out for that. So I don’t have a smart meter.

[@gavintillman1884]

Seems odd to be cellular only. Most homes have broadband and having meters connect to this via Ethernet or WiFi seems an obvious option to offer as a more future proof approach.

[@edenviews]

My IHD didn't work from installation and the Octopus people wanted me to confirm the number of that device, but after that, there was no more contact. I can look at the meter as always under the stairs and read it!!!! It's not as if I use lots of electric. I can read up my usage more precisely on the website much the same way I could do internet banking etc. I can't see why folk are opposed to them being fitted, there must be only benefits, surely? It is a lack of foresight that the 3G and 2G networks will soon force another meter change, it is just like people changing their mobile or TV very so often due to technical change. Everybody's car that has a SIM card fitted will also have to have the module updated too. Thanks for your report..Not a lot of people might know these things. Keep up with the great work.

[@Adeleisha]

The opposition comes from terrible implementation rather than a bad idea - they are great when they are working. When they don’t, they are worse than dumb meters.

[@uktechie8013]

Hopefully Agile makes a comeback in the future

[@stephenconnolly1913]

I moved into new apartment and the last fella had a smart meter put in I don't even know how to work the dam thing

[@HIFIKOOL]

If you get a smart meter then you can't turn the gas meter around 😉

[@steamhammer2k]

My provider was desperate change me to a smart meter. I said i was happy with the one i have, they said it will have to be replaced with a smart meter if it breaks down as they did not have any of the old style meters. I said what about all the thousands of old working meters that have been taken out to date from homes that are just swapping out to get the short term tariff benefits. I then said we need to recycle these meters as best we can to save the planet. BTW i have the best energy saver of all... my finger on the off button.

[@robwoodturner]

An excellent video which adresses some of my concerns. However, a small coment caught my ear. This was about poor signal near RAF bases. I recently had a smart meter installed and will not work due to a poor signal. I live in Alnwick about 3 miles from RAF Boulmer. I have been told I can't have agile tariff with Octopus. Can you or anyone else give advise on getting the WiFi device or access to cheep overnight tariff as I am having solar and batteries installed in July.

[@stevecarrick2632]

I'm in Cramlington and the meters are crazy constantly i touch with Octopus got up this morning and my electric was showing at £5.35 and the Gas was showing £1.45 trying to get through to them on the phone right now

[@geoffrey-lund]

Your video just came up randomly on KZbin. Found it very interesting and informative. I still do not understand how the meter can be classed as 'smart' as all it does is upload a reading to my energy supplier every so often. However I do not really know what a smart meter is capable of - mine has had a broken communication unit for many years and no one wants to fix it!!

[@NicolasRaimo]

It transmits to the network a little more than that and gives them more details on how your using your energy this lets them balance the grid better

[@richardbeasley6517]

Interesting video, I did wonder about the 2G/3G switch off, I'm sure it will be done in phases (or the smart WAN given exception). You can change the communication hub without turning off the power (pulling the main fuse), however as the hub is commissioned to the elec and gas meters (and ihd) it will need to be decommissioned; this can be hit or miss in some cases, if the assets cannot be decommissioned then they will need exchanging (usually the whole set). The smets2 meters can also use a Mesh network (if your hub is SKU2 or 3), but ultimately depend on a cellular connection amongst the mesh nodes. WiFi isn't a suitable means for the smart network, its generally not secure and it would also result in a 'service being dependent on another service' therefore if you move broadband providers, change your router or simply don't pay and your service is terminated, then your smart meters lose their connectivity too. Power line is being looked into, amongst other methods. A company call Alt-Han solutions have been appointed/formed to look into connectivity issues surrounding smarts meters (including no ham situations like flats, big houses or remote meters) but also rural locations, there are larger aerials that can be fitted externally to further improve the chance of connection to smart WAN network. There are lots of benefits to getting a smart meters, more then the average person realises. Yes, there are issues, but that's expected with a roll out of over 40million meters! If your energy provider is good/caring, then I'm sure they'll try and get your issues resolved or at least answered. Octopus energy are probably one of the best all round, they are very pro-smart and so will often go above the average supplier to try and help you get a smart meter. I've worked in the utilities industry for 17 years, I currently fit smart meters.

[@claudiablanche1695]

Don't like those meters. But been force to. It's a rip off

[@DavidJones-ge1mn]

Very interesting to read your post Richard. Could I ask you as you seem very knowledgeable about Smart meters. Do Smart meters need use any mobile network or only o2 network as I understand they rolled out the network in the southern region. Thank you in anticipation

[@neilfairbairn3775]

I don't really get why they can't get them connected to your home WiFi or LAN with mobile data as a backup. Its only sending meter usage and top-up information back and forth. Most people have this communications running all the time in the background and the energy companies can easily see if you've tampered with the information.

[@witchinikki6447]

You’re a great presenter! You hold the audience captive covering a technological subject. Very interesting! 😀

[@NicolasRaimo]

Thank you for such a lovely comment

[@bwghall1]

are you related.?

[@johnwalker5366]

bearing in mind this was 2years ago , 3g network is already shutting down , the data is being collected by mobile radio network equipment including those whitestick antennas you see on housing estates (ie cell base masts not required). Domestic meters have a Calibrated end of use date (mine is dated 2028) at which point only a smart meter can/will be installed .(either that or go off grid ie -solar panels/battery storage and heating oil tank instead of gas ! ) Most of the concern at present is the use(miss use )of private data collected , many people seem suprised to find that cars (not just EVs )since 2019 have sim cards installed(data collection) and your every movement (calls and text) is mapped by your phone and facial recognition software in use by police and authorities

[@OraEtLabora0]

so what about rental units? new tenants would be loading on free unmetered juice until their new energy supplier would send them one of those small boxes? maybe that would be acceptable cost to this solution... 🤷‍♂

[@NicolasRaimo]

Smart meters still manually tick up useage data

[@dellhauk3934]

ever since i had one fitted it has never sent a reading and the monitor never did its job // a complete waste of my time having it fitted // i contacted them two times but nothing has been done

[@karensibley2485]

We had smet1 meters and they worked fine, communicating well with no problems, until the beginning of this year (2024). We were told we would have to have them changed, which we did, now we can’t get gas readings “as the meter is in the cellar”. New technology worse service. Wish there was a way to boost signal so we don’t have to crawl down the cellar to take readings.

[@marcushermansson4310]

It's even worse, most providers are alread shutting down 3G. 2G still still online for a while, but GPRS is not really the same...

[@ianglover940]

It’s about time the Smart Meter operators & the mobile phone companies actually thought about THEIR CUSTOMERS, spoke to each other & found a solution for the problem that they have created. Come on guys, GROW UP. CUSTOMER IS KING

[@czgibson3086]

The energy companies operate like cartels, so there's no reason for them to worry about losing your custom.

[@lordpitnolen2196]

Please confirm. SMART METERS ARE NOT COMPULSORY IN UK.

[@NicolasRaimo]

Never said they were but you are required to have your meter replaced end of its service life and it’s likely your get one regardless of if you ask for it or not

[@lordpitnolen2196]

@@NicolasRaimo I don't think so.

[@Adeleisha]

@@NicolasRaimo strange thing is that we couldn’t get a smart meter replacement for our faulty smart meter at our last house (supplier insisted on a dumb meter) and now cannot get a compatible smart meter to replace one of the very first smart meters that is ironically, the last on the list of updates. Having spoken to Ofgem about this a few times last year, they said suppliers were holding back because of cost.

[@Birko64]

I think SMETS2 meters have a modular comms hub (the thing at the top of the meter). If they do then these can be replaced before the 2g/3g shutdown rather than replacing the whole meter.

[@NicolasRaimo]

Indeed but access to property or power down may still be required to preform

[@twelvebears1971]

The bizarre attitude towards smart meters bemuses me, clearly people like paying more for their energy than they need to. No smart meter means no access to anything other than basic tariffs, which I absolutely guarantee will be costing you more than you need to. The only controversy here should be that there are people who can’t have a smart meter that want one. Current meters should definitely be capable of connecting via a local wifi network if one is available in addition to their in-built connection option, which would resolve the smart meter availability issue for the majority of people. I could completely understand people complaining if they moved to a smart meter and ended up worse off, but as far as I can see people are just convinced that getting one is a bad idea, which it flatly is not, especially if you accept that at some point home solar and EVs will end up being far more common than they are now.

[@suzycat2026]

I'd rather have my mechanical gas meter back please. 🙏🏻 Now we all have meter psychosis.. New digital gas meter (dumb) installed by over zealous Emergency gas man last year. It has never shown a reading, now Energy company won't come to replace it, using different stalling tactics. They are taking advantage of the situation & of customers with escalating DDs , ridiculous estimates, what can I do? They even lied & said I reported to Ombuds man , when I did not. The Energy company did it so they use as excuse not to talk to me about even billing.😥

[@NicolasRaimo]

The screen on smart meters are dark till you do something to them, if it’s a secure meter press digit 6…. Every person has had increased energy prices that’s due to other factors video on that 4 or so weeks ago check it out

[@suzycat2026]

Unfortunately both energy companies tried to bill me for the same 500units of electricity @@NicolasRaimo Lucky the electric meter wasn't changed. Neither would explain it, I had to do detective work to find that old supplier had changed closing estimate > 5months after selling my custom to another company, yes I know about price increases. As for the useless gas meter, I was never given a display when it was installed ; presume it's smet1, it has 2 buttons , red, green, & any combination of presses will do nothing to wake it up. They won't send engineer to check it or replace it.. Now I will never know how much gas I should've saved over Winter , by lowering thermostat & saving energy. I may as well had the heating on full. O vo are liars & thieves, they are taking advantage of people who pay by DD, then make up lies about an Ombudsman report to avoid discussion.

[@Adeleisha]

Ovo fitted our first smart meters and the gas meter was a dangerous install (no brackets, suspended above the floor just by the gas pipe). I had switched shortly after and so it took almost 18 months to sort out as they wouldn't rectify their own mistake because I was with another company. After taking it to the ombudsman Ovo finally agreed it was their responsibility and paid my new supplier to fit a new meter. Unfortunately or fortunately, the new supplier weren't fitting smart meters at the time so a reconditioned old dumb meter was fitted instead of just fitting the required brackets. A complete and utter shambles. IMO metering equipment should belong to the distributer to avoid all this bullcrap.

[@suzycat2026]

Sorry to hear about that @@Adeleisha I'm not surprised tbh. I'm glad you finally made them take responsibility for dangerous, shoddy work. Yes, the whole system appears to be in shambles because they are all in financial trouble, the system been rushed out too soon. O vo sacked 2000 staff start of year & still cutting back. Their customer service are like proverbial school bullies , also unable to see billing. As a home owner who paid £1200 to install gas , I'm sure many others too, much rather they give us option of keeping old style meter. They say the box housing it belongs to me , but meter is theirs? They won't even inspect it & don't even know what type it is! This means I must have their permission to install a new working meter ,, when they have been stalling replacement since April. Because they claim I called Ombudsman, they won't talk,, so I presume this stops me from changing to better supplier , they are sly.

[@Electrowave]

I don't want a smart meter, the meter I have installed is showing the amount of power I use so the power company know how much to charge me. Why would I want them to have more info than that? I have my own device that I can use to show how much individual appliances use, plus a device that reads the total power usage of the house at any time. I also live in an area with no mobile signal at all, and I doubt there are any plans to install a mast or booster for a few houses in the middle of nowhere.

[@NicolasRaimo]

You north or south

[@Electrowave]

@@NicolasRaimo South west Wales.

[@henrytwigger2245]

The latest generation of Smart Meter uses the Bluetooth Mech Network. They don't have a SIM card and don't connect to the cell phone tower.

[@wormwood6424]

So ,do we honestly think the government is going to such outrageous extremes do inform the general public on how their kwattage is being used?

[@NicolasRaimo]

Sorry what do you mean? What’s the government got to do with energy meters

[@wormwood6424]

@@NicolasRaimo well who's policy is it to have smart meters put in?

[@NicolasRaimo]

@@wormwood6424 It was by request of the national grid who run the national infractrature they told the government in a report the tech was needed to modernise the power grid for the future of power generation as we move away from traditional ON OFF electric like coal and gas we need more data points to control how the power works and flows and smart meters allow energy firms to tail demand to customers with incentives for use during HIGH generation but also punish for use during LOW generation and high demand. If you want to stick with a dumb meter your be punished with cost.

[@wormwood6424]

@@NicolasRaimo I don't have peak savings. I think this smart meter thing is a little more nefarious than people are actually aware of.

[@ARBurgess]

I’m on OI tariff with a SMET1 meter. I live in a village at the top of Essex and 4G is unavailable for most of the village! Broadband would be the best way forward. As an aside, I have never had a remote display, as the previous owners took it with them 😂

[@SulisHana]

I moved.into a house with two smart meters 3 weeks ago and been getting electric shocks off my 2 dogs ever since. I'll be moving asap.

[@NicolasRaimo]

Static shocks nothing to do with the smart meters

[@TheWinstn60]

Octopus didn't bill me for Electricity for months. However I could see all my usage on their website down to each 30 mins. So my SMETS 2 meter was working and Octopus were receiving the data from the DCC! I wasn't the only one

[@BAC_Mono]

I'm struggling to get a Smart meter installed by EDF. They have now told me that there is no WAN coverage in our area. I have asked them to send out someone to check for sure and I'm waiting for their response. They mentioned that they are waiting for new meters that have 4g connections rather than what I presume is the 2g/3g ones they we're installing. Should I actually wait till they have 4g Smets2 meters available given that? (we have good mobile 4g coverage at home.) to avoid getting a 2g/3g one? The amount of electricity I will be exporting but not getting paid is not huge so if waiting means I would get a more up to date smart meter then I'd be prepared to do that. Thanks for a great channel Nic

[@NicolasRaimo]

WAN means your not in a mobile area, where in the UK are you based?

[@BAC_Mono]

@@NicolasRaimo in Guildford im Surrey We have good 3g/4g so I’m surprised they think it can’t work here. The difficulty is in persuading them to come out to check the reception. If you get a smart meter and it doesn’t connect meaning you have to revert to sending manual readings from it, are you any worse off than before? Thank you

[@NicolasRaimo]

@@BAC_Mono south is mobile so pass why they mentioned wan

[@NicolasRaimo]

No worse off