New smart meter

ohnonotgmail · 31-07-2023 11:33am #1

Just had a new smart meter installed to replace the meter that has been there for 50 years. before he left the installer gave me some advice. He said that the meter is currently in manual mode, so it needs to be read the same way as the old one. In 30 days I can ring ESB and ask them to activate the sim card. this will enable the automatic collection of the readings. However, he said if I do that I have to switch to one of the smart tariffs. He said this made no financial sense to me unless I had an electric car or solar panels. As I have neither he said to leave it as it is. Does this advice make sense?

The Cush · 31-07-2023 11:44am

Our smart meter was installed a few days before Christmas, we're still on the old 24hr tariff and our meter is automatically read without us ever contacting the ESB.

ohnonotgmail · 31-07-2023 11:52am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120919935#Comment_120919935

I may have misheard him on the reading part.

csirl · 31-07-2023 11:53am

Was told the same when mine was installed. Only benefit of the meter is ithe automatic sending of readings.

I dont like the fact that we all paid for our smart meters (via our taxes) and the justification for spending taxpayers money on it was so we can all monitor our usage..............but we cant use them unless we pay more for our electricity.

Everyone should have access to their own usage data without signing up for a special more expensive plan - utility companies profitting from the taxpayer with no benefit to the taxpayer.

Gooser14 · 31-07-2023 11:59am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120919935#Comment_120919935

What MCC code is shown on your statement?

NIMAN · 31-07-2023 12:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120919935#Comment_120919935

I came into the Electricial Forum to ask about new smart meters, as we have been informed they are installing them locally soon.

My 1st question was going to be, do I have to have one installed? Can I refuse?

And if not, can I keep my day/night rate tariff, as I am an EV owner?

daheff · 31-07-2023 12:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120920159#Comment_120920159

you can refuse. but will take some perseverance for them to accept your decision

L1011 · 31-07-2023 12:32pm

When mine was swapped I was also told to call and inform the supplier. I did no such thing, and they are taking readings automatically while keeping me on a normal 24h rate.

You can get the interval data off ESB Networks rather than the supplier, they take an age to start providing it though.

NIMAN · 31-07-2023 12:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120920171#Comment_120920171

OK, but if I do change to a new meter , can you retain your old night rate tariff?

pjordan · 31-07-2023 12:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120920159#Comment_120920159

Apparently the new model of Smart meters being rolled out are capable of handling day/night tarriff structures. But just to be sure, if you have had a notification from ESBN about installation, best to touch bases with them and state that you wish to have Smart meter capable of accomodating day/night tarriffs installed (apparently I was informed by the ESBN rep that there is a special code for these meters).

I don't think you can be automatically converted to a Smart tarrif (read rip off - over priced time based tarriffs more expensive than both existing 24 hr and day night tarriffs) without you consent but not sure if activating your smart meter may cause this.

The toothless energy regulator recently held a little publicised public consultation process on multi layered time based tarrif structures for Smart meters, however they still fail to acknowledge or serious address the issue that Smart tarrifs are a complete overpriced rip off (just a premium applied for not having a meter reader coming to read you meter of having to read your own meter)

wench · 31-07-2023 12:51pm

The meters take about 30 days to be fully connected and sending back readings. If you're due a bill in the meantime you'll have to read it. You don't ask them to activate the sim card, that happens automatically.

I've had the smart meter for about 9 months, and haven't had to switch to a smart plan.

I'm with Electric Ireland, who do push the sign up for a smart plan and see your usage. However this isn't necessary.

ESB have a portal where you can get your data in half hour intervals. Maybe not as detailed as EI's version, but it comes with no strings attached.

https://www.esbnetworks.ie/existing-connections/meters-and-readings/my-smart-data

ELM327 · 31-07-2023 1:02pm

make sure you keep your old MCC (either MCC01 for 24hr or MCC02 for day night) otherwise you'll be ripped off

Gooser14 · 31-07-2023 1:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120920301#Comment_120920301

What's the MCC code on your statement?

wench · 31-07-2023 1:13pm

Still 01

TheDriver · 31-07-2023 1:18pm

do not change to a smart plan. Do not install any app the monitor usage etc as this activates the smart section and there's no going back. Just keep doing nothing other than a 24 hour plan (or day/night is you want that). I've a smart meter and I just ignore it.

L1011 · 31-07-2023 1:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120920462#Comment_120920462

The ESBN data does not change MCC.

AmpMan · 31-07-2023 1:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120920368#Comment_120920368

I still cant believe people are willingly switching over to be ripped off.

OP, If you got solar panels your old meter would run backwards. giving you net metering.

Why do you think they took it off you ?!

ohnonotgmail · 31-07-2023 1:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120920528#Comment_120920528

I dont have solar panels.

AmpMan · 31-07-2023 1:54pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120920689#Comment_120920689

if

ohnonotgmail · 31-07-2023 1:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120920710#Comment_120920710

your post makes no sense. They didnt "take it off me".

PowerToWait · 31-07-2023 1:57pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120920462#Comment_120920462

This is good advice, that I really wish I'd had before I was duped by EI into seeing my usage, which they couldn't provide most the time anyway, and I can read off my meter on the gable of my house. Absoulute shysters.