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RTS Meters

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By *uzie69x OP   TV/TS
28 weeks ago

Maidstone

I've just got a letter from my electricity supplier to say my current Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) will be cut off next year and I'll need to make an appointment so they can install a Smart Meter.

I'm on storage heating (great as I now work from home daytimes), I'd like to keep that going.

Given the horror stories about Smart Meters where they basically take control of the readings and charge what they like, I've been resisting the instal.

Any smart electricians could advice what I should do?

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By *oodmessMan
28 weeks ago

yumsville

As far as I know it's the earlier versions that are the issues (much like any 1st gen device that comes out). They are now gen 4 and can be used across all (or most providers), whereas they used to be for single use, ie, eon, bt gas, octopus ... the newer ones are fairly reliable I've found.

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By *icolerobbieCouple
28 weeks ago

walsall

Can you still insist that a new meter can be fitted, but set to dumb mode? This was the case in the past.

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By *bi HaiveMan
Forum Mod
28 weeks ago

Cheeseville, Somerset

Smart meter panic is common.

I have one. The electricity meter talks to the network but not the gas, so I have to send a manual reading through the app monthly.

Never had a problem. If anything I love it, because when I first moved in they estimated my usage based on the previous occupants. Which was odd given its a new build. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️😂😂. As a result I now pay a third of what they initially asked me to each month.

Smart meters just send regular accurate readings. It's the actual meter that's Smart, that little screen (mine doesn't work as its too far from the meter) is nothing more than a display. They don't result in them charging what they want, as its based on actual usage data, so if anything they're better for bills as you only pay for what you use, rather than either overpaying due to an overestimate, or ending up with a big bill when they do a manual reading because they guessed too low.

The Internet is awash with scare stories. Just check your readings are accurate every now and them and all is fine.

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By *oodmessMan
28 weeks ago

yumsville

You can still phone any co. and give monthly readings, which should be inline with the smart meter if worried. What might be an issue is they need an annual set of readings (min 10 months I think), to give an estimate of your future usage, so if you do get one, all that will happen is accurate readings will be sent, your estimate will still be based on last years usage as that is all they can go off.

Much like _bi haive where despite no usage/no-one living there, for the first year (I'd guess), he was paying a base price before usage data was gained, then it reduced per usage.

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By *atnip make me purrWoman
28 weeks ago

Reading

Surely that would be fraud and they would be being sued left, right abd centre.

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By *bi HaiveMan
Forum Mod
28 weeks ago

Cheeseville, Somerset


"You can still phone any co. and give monthly readings, which should be inline with the smart meter if worried. What might be an issue is they need an annual set of readings (min 10 months I think), to give an estimate of your future usage, so if you do get one, all that will happen is accurate readings will be sent, your estimate will still be based on last years usage as that is all they can go off.

Much like _bi haive where despite no usage/no-one living there, for the first year (I'd guess), he was paying a base price before usage data was gained, then it reduced per usage. "

Yep. As it was a new build they based it on generic data based on occupancy (it's a 1 bed flat, just me here).

Still managed to get that wildly wrong and as I'd moved in in winter they probably thought I'd have the heating on constantly. Nope. The guy downstairs did so I had free underfloor heating all winter. 😁😂😂😂

And as I'm often away a couple of days a week my usage is close to fuck all. Only took three months of consistent similar readings for me to get the direct rarebit reduced and then two more to get it dropped again. Still in credit now after getting them to send me £200 back.

I used to be a smart meter cynic. I still don't like the displays as they can worry the elderly watching the numbers go up. But they're optional. You don't need a display.

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By *uzie69x OP   TV/TS
28 weeks ago

Maidstone


"Surely that would be fraud and they would be being sued left, right abd centre."

That's the problem, people can't prove what they're using as the meter is controlled by the company.

You are aware that privatised utility companies are screwing you left, right and centre and are allowed to get away with it?

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By *bi HaiveMan
Forum Mod
28 weeks ago

Cheeseville, Somerset


"Surely that would be fraud and they would be being sued left, right abd centre.

That's the problem, people can't prove what they're using as the meter is controlled by the company.

You are aware that privatised utility companies are screwing you left, right and centre and are allowed to get away with it?"

A meter is just that. A measuring device for the amount of something used. They don't just work on random numbers.

They can't remotely adjust the numbers.

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By *lynJMan
28 weeks ago

Morden


"Surely that would be fraud and they would be being sued left, right abd centre.

That's the problem, people can't prove what they're using as the meter is controlled by the company.

You are aware that privatised utility companies are screwing you left, right and centre and are allowed to get away with it?

A meter is just that. A measuring device for the amount of something used. They don't just work on random numbers.

They can't remotely adjust the numbers. "

But they can remotely put you on a different tariff with asking you.

When my partner died and I took over the single account (gas and electricity) the supplier decided to put the gas on prepayment even though I provided information in time. It took about 4 months to get them to switch it back to a credit account and there's now 2 accounts - and 2 direct debits - because it was too difficult for them to combine the accounts.

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By *bi HaiveMan
Forum Mod
28 weeks ago

Cheeseville, Somerset


"Surely that would be fraud and they would be being sued left, right abd centre.

That's the problem, people can't prove what they're using as the meter is controlled by the company.

You are aware that privatised utility companies are screwing you left, right and centre and are allowed to get away with it?

A meter is just that. A measuring device for the amount of something used. They don't just work on random numbers.

They can't remotely adjust the numbers.

But they can remotely put you on a different tariff with asking you.

When my partner died and I took over the single account (gas and electricity) the supplier decided to put the gas on prepayment even though I provided information in time. It took about 4 months to get them to switch it back to a credit account and there's now 2 accounts - and 2 direct debits - because it was too difficult for them to combine the accounts."

But that's nothing to do with it being a smart meter.

They can change tarrifs at any time if you're not tied in. They don't need a smart meter to do that, just an account.

It's why when the price cap changes and rates change you're advised to send a reading through that day, whatever meter you have.

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By *oodmessMan
28 weeks ago

yumsville


"Surely that would be fraud and they would be being sued left, right abd centre.

That's the problem, people can't prove what they're using as the meter is controlled by the company.

You are aware that privatised utility companies are screwing you left, right and centre and are allowed to get away with it?"

You are paying for gas-electric you have to give meter readings one way or another - smart meters are just a convenience really. It's your choice and they have improved, I'm just giving you my knowledge of them - I don't work for them.

They have to gain usage over a period of time otherwise your annual usage would be based on say summer months where you'd be paying next to nothing all year (unless the guy below you has their heating on ). They have to see what you are using over winter - they then estimate (or average out) future usage. Ask for a pay as you go meter if you want to pay week by week - but you'll be paying high cost unit price as it can't be bought in advance (as far as I know).

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By (user no longer on site)
28 weeks ago

Talking of electric meter,my meter has been in FAILSAFE mode for 2 months now,they came to fix/change it but my fuse box is shared with the flat upstairs the guy wasn't in so the engineer could not do it,by law not allowed to switch someone's electric off with seeing them first,the guy is never there,I told the engineer this but no no no what a fucked up world we live in now

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By *lynJMan
28 weeks ago

Morden


"Surely that would be fraud and they would be being sued left, right abd centre.

That's the problem, people can't prove what they're using as the meter is controlled by the company.

You are aware that privatised utility companies are screwing you left, right and centre and are allowed to get away with it?

A meter is just that. A measuring device for the amount of something used. They don't just work on random numbers.

They can't remotely adjust the numbers.

But they can remotely put you on a different tariff with asking you.

When my partner died and I took over the single account (gas and electricity) the supplier decided to put the gas on prepayment even though I provided information in time. It took about 4 months to get them to switch it back to a credit account and there's now 2 accounts - and 2 direct debits - because it was too difficult for them to combine the accounts.

But that's nothing to do with it being a smart meter.

They can change tarrifs at any time if you're not tied in. They don't need a smart meter to do that, just an account.

It's why when the price cap changes and rates change you're advised to send a reading through that day, whatever meter you have. "

They would have to gain entry to the property and replace the "dumb" meter. A credit meter wouldn't work for pre-pay tariff.

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By *bi HaiveMan
Forum Mod
28 weeks ago

Cheeseville, Somerset


"Talking of electric meter,my meter has been in FAILSAFE mode for 2 months now,they came to fix/change it but my fuse box is shared with the flat upstairs the guy wasn't in so the engineer could not do it,by law not allowed to switch someone's electric off with seeing them first,the guy is never there,I told the engineer this but no no no what a fucked up world we live in now "

Is it an HMO? So far as I know each flat should by law have its own fuse box. Otherwise how do you isolate supplies for routine maintenance? I'd speak to your landlord.

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By (user no longer on site)
28 weeks ago

3 flats here we have separate electric meters,mine is pre payment meter with a key to top up,I read it can be in FAILSAFE mode even for a year,yes I'm getting free electric atm will see the landlord of course,it's deffo a shared fuse box with the guy upstairs,thanks for replying

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By *ambertMan
28 weeks ago

Cheltenham

I manage a load of properties. Sometimes they are fine, but they are absolutely not there yet, especially if you live in something slightly non standard

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By *avexxMan
28 weeks ago

cheshire

i havent heard great things about smart meters,,, so still holding off

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By *offiaCoolWoman
28 weeks ago

Kidsgrove

Companies have to offer smart meters, but legally you are not obliged to have one. I'm guessing they are implying you have no choice.

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By *lynJMan
28 weeks ago

Morden

All meters have a defined lifetime. It should be written on the meter somewhere. When the meter goes end of life it will need to be replaced - almost certainly with a smart meter. Until then, you do not, currently, have to have a smart meter installed.

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