Smart Meters

Just been offered a free one from SWALEC. Does anyone know the pros and cons of them ?

I used to work for SWALEC and installed them on a trial basis, you can see what your using, they are supposed to be installed all over the country by 2020, but you can't be forced to have one. Eventually the plan is that they can be disconnected remotely if you don't pay your bill or if they think you may be tampering with it. There has also been reports that when these meters were installed in America some of them burst into flames. If they ask me to have one I'd refuse,maybe it's because I got so pissed off working there I was glad to retire that I would not want to do what they wanted.

Just been offered a free one from SWALEC. Does anyone know the pros and cons of them ?

Suppose to be made compulsery by 2020? ,but will cost us over £200 or whatever they decide on. at moment arguing about the value of them! All it does is tell you how much your power is costing and what appliances are costing to run? by time they come in sure be more to them by then!

Have a guess who will end up footing the bill for their installation

British Gas offered me one told them I wasn't interested and that was end of it.

Most companies are offering smart meters (also known as AMR) for free these days, although sometimes it can depend on your consumption. Main benefit for you is you no longer have to give meter reads as your supplier can log into it automatically and take a reading. Therefore your bills should be fairly accurate.
I work in the energy industry (albeit the commercial side - if any Bluebirds need a decent quote for elec/gas - a supplier can't simply disconnect you. It takes months and months of letters, then final reminders, then a collections agency, then legal action etc etc. Having a smart meter is not a problem or an aid to the supplier.

The only negative issue I can think of is say SWALEC install you a smart meter. But then a couple of years later you switch to British Gas. British Gas may not be able to read it. You will need to check this out before you decide to switch provider.

Hope this helps you

They did mention something about switching providers. Now surely they can't do this to stop switching ? Or even make it harder ? Hmmmm need to do some more research me thinks

They did mention something about switching providers. Now surely they can't do this to stop switching ? Or even make it harder ? Hmmmm need to do some more research me thinks

switching suppliers with a smart meter is just as easy as with a normal one.
The problem is, the new supplier won't always be able to tap into the thing and read it remotely.
People think "oh I have a smart meter so I don't need to give meter readings"... then get estimated bills from the new supplier.

Most people I know think giving meter reads each and every month is a pain in the arse.
So having a meter the supplier can obtain reads remotely and accurately must be a good thing.
Certainly wouldn't pay for one though - get the supplier to do it for free!