@Jennyj
I should expand on my attitude to smart meters. I think the smart metering programme has been one of the most colossal waste of money of any Government inspired projects. Delivery is years late, it will never pay for itself and the benefits to consumers are usually minimal.
I had them fitted last December - mainly so that I could participate more fully in the forum from a position of hands on experience rather than 2nd hand. They are working well, but they've saved me nothing in cash terms. They do have some redeeming features for some people, particularly those who use large amounts of energy at night (e.g. heating and EV drivers) - I'm not one of those.
IF one is interested in exploiting them, the information they make available is very useful in analysis. But not otherwise - my in home display glows orange when the kettle goes on - does that help me at all?
I have a solar thermal panel on the roof which heats my hot water - primarily in the summer. My energy costs go down like a brick in the summer. But I've never been sure how much I'm saving as a result. But thanks to analysis, I can now start to see how much energy I use to heat my water now - I've dedicated 3 time slots across the day to measure what is used. Is that going to be of interest to most people - certainly not, but as a discussion point its solid information to demonstrate something from actual fact. Early finding my hot water fuel consumption is Circa 4,400 kWh per annum, if used the whole year. I'll be able to see how the consumption falls in the summer and thus generate a figure for saving from my solar panel.
So I wouldn't put people off from getting a smart meter if they want one. Providing they work as advertised they can be useful, and they do save the job of submitting readings.
By the way, on last night's Martin Lewis money show, he quoted that paying on receipt of bill on standard credit as being 6% more expensive than paying by Direct Debit, and recommended people pay by variable DD if their supplier allows it. Not all do, but Eon Next is one that does. And moving to a fix now could save you money as well.
I should expand on my attitude to smart meters. I think the smart metering programme has been one of the most colossal waste of money of any Government inspired projects. Delivery is years late, it will never pay for itself and the benefits to consumers are usually minimal.
I had them fitted last December - mainly so that I could participate more fully in the forum from a position of hands on experience rather than 2nd hand. They are working well, but they've saved me nothing in cash terms. They do have some redeeming features for some people, particularly those who use large amounts of energy at night (e.g. heating and EV drivers) - I'm not one of those.
IF one is interested in exploiting them, the information they make available is very useful in analysis. But not otherwise - my in home display glows orange when the kettle goes on - does that help me at all?
I have a solar thermal panel on the roof which heats my hot water - primarily in the summer. My energy costs go down like a brick in the summer. But I've never been sure how much I'm saving as a result. But thanks to analysis, I can now start to see how much energy I use to heat my water now - I've dedicated 3 time slots across the day to measure what is used. Is that going to be of interest to most people - certainly not, but as a discussion point its solid information to demonstrate something from actual fact. Early finding my hot water fuel consumption is Circa 4,400 kWh per annum, if used the whole year. I'll be able to see how the consumption falls in the summer and thus generate a figure for saving from my solar panel.
So I wouldn't put people off from getting a smart meter if they want one. Providing they work as advertised they can be useful, and they do save the job of submitting readings.
By the way, on last night's Martin Lewis money show, he quoted that paying on receipt of bill on standard credit as being 6% more expensive than paying by Direct Debit, and recommended people pay by variable DD if their supplier allows it. Not all do, but Eon Next is one that does. And moving to a fix now could save you money as well.
Current Eon Next customer, ex EDF, Zog and Symbio. Don't think dual fuel saves money and think the smart meter programme is a waste of our money. Chronologically Gifted. If I offend let me know by private message, but I’ll continue to express my opinions nonetheless.
