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Smart meter opt out

124

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 684 ✭✭✭farmerval


    We also have a stressed Electricity infrastructure. The biggest gain from smart meters and potentially smart rates is to help maximise the efficiency of the grid. After several years of a new construction boom including large industrial expansion, including high usage data centres, our grid is stretched to the limit. Utilising smart meters and smart tariffs is simply a way of moving usage from high usage times to low usage times to balance the grid output.

    If we have wind power generating power at the lowest time of use, say middle of the night, it may go to waste. The next big challenge is to store excess power. I believe that is one of the big factors driving the big push toward electric cars. Having them charging overnight on timed night time tariffs will use power available that may not otherwise be used.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,137 ✭✭✭Ger Roe


    So the main advantage is to the supplier who can't meet demand and the government that didn't plan and prepare for economic growth. 'Simply a way of moving usage from high usage times to low usage times to balance the grid' can also be read as forcing people to make even more changes to avoid additional charges. I know and appreciate what you are saying and understand the imperative to save energy, but this is a way of charging the consumer more to use less, by offering very marginal scope for savings. I stand by what I said earlier, in lots of aspects we have a dysfunctional market and therefore the usual beneficial factors for the consumer, are not applicable, or available.

    Why are we not running our night-time household low level lighting on separate battery charged circuits in our houses using wind or solar, why are our very limited retrofit energy schemes so complicated and expensive to avail of, why is the only answer always to charge the consumer more so they are forced to use less while the data centres and other multinational offshoots continue to guzzle our capacity to supply? Why when we knew and accepted that the peat and oil burning generators would have to be phased out, did we not plan better? Why despite grants given to suppliers to develop alternative energy options, is the consumer still continually hit with increased rate charges, supplier standing service charges, carbon taxes etc.?

    It's bad planning with the consumer at the end of the chain as a failsafe scapegoat and dressing up the mess as a smart meter advantage, is not going to go down well. We are in for an expensive ride in the future, because increasing costs for the consumer is the main tactic to be used for decreasing demand - without obviously hurting our vital economic sector of high energy consuming multinationals.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,434 ✭✭✭✭AndrewJRenko


    Thanks, are you an Electric Ireland customer?

    AFAIK, this breakdown isn't available, and isn't even collected according to their DPIA, for other customers.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,885 ✭✭✭✭astrofool


    it looks like this on the portal, it has data from yesterday as well (this was a Monday), and yes, Electric Ireland:




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,434 ✭✭✭✭AndrewJRenko


    Thanks, technically, if you're not on a smart tariff, they shouldn't be picking up interval data from your smart meter, according to the ESB Networks DPIA.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 510 ✭✭✭MickH503




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,885 ✭✭✭✭astrofool


    yes, in the details section it can all be downloaded in CSV format (up to 2 years apparantly).



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,227 ✭✭✭Kramer


    You can't avail of many of the cheaper tariffs currently available on a day/night meter, if you have a smart meter. They are simply not available to you.

    That's what EV owners have realised. You can keep denying that but it doesn't change the facts.

    At present, some of the cheaper tariffs available to those with a day/night meter, are not available to those with a smart meter. EV owners tend to be heavy users of electricity. Most are price savvy, research the best deals & switch providers yearly. They're big into tech, solar & gadgets, so they'd be all over smart meters. By their very nature, they are the antithesis of those "afraid of change".

    I'm sure providers will update their tariffs but for now, smart meters can & do work out being more expensive for many consumers.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,817 ✭✭✭Darc19


    why do people post such utter sh1te.

    We have a first class education system and still you can this type of stupidity



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,885 ✭✭✭✭astrofool


    Your tariff only changes if you change plans after the meter has been changed, if you do nothing, everything continues as it did before with no changes, if they didn't tell you they were changing the meter then you'd never know the difference.



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  • Registered Users Posts: 44 longcock


    If you don't think that this can happen, I feel so sorry for you and your blind vision.... I'll say a prayer for you.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,952 ✭✭✭✭Stoner


    I am an EV owner, i have the new smart meter, I have not signed up to any of the new plans available to the smart meter owners. I'm still on the single rate I was on before. However the older Night rate meter has a better rate than the new smart meter offers.

    They appear attractive, with some having a very low boost rate, but they have significantly higher day rates and a peak rate too.

    They want to shift you to not using power in the evenings, and use everything in the early morning 2 to 4 am. It's not always practical



  • Registered Users Posts: 106 ✭✭iarann


    What portal are you using to get access to that date? I'm with Bord Gaís & cant see it on their website.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,145 ✭✭✭BobMc


    mine installed yesterday, missus was at home (WFH) and just arrived, Not appointment,


    anyone offering Real Time in home monitoring or an app or likewise for households to monitor in real time ???



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,649 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    Electric Ireland do, gets update a midnight every night.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 146 ✭✭mjatkey


    Hi, so Electric Ireland are supplying the in house monitoring device? Or its it just an app?

    Does anyone know if you can buy your own and "pair" it with your smart meter, only we have just had smart meter fitted to a new apartment but Bord Gais don't seem to have a clue when I asked them where the in Home display was and told me to contact ESB who again where clueless?

    Thanks

    🌞 6.96kWp PV System. West Dublin🌞



  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,602 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    This was my gut instinct too, but you are incorrect. I rang my provider (Energia). Very reluctantly they admitted that the smart meter rates are higher than the old day / night meters.

    So if I had an EV I would want an old day / night meter as it is the most cost effective



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,734 ✭✭✭✭Bobeagleburger


    Yes, they are higher. Plus you can't get a day night smart meter.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,465 ✭✭✭✭Hotblack Desiato


    No change on Bord Gais.

    They can't change your tariff without notifying you in advance.

    Scrap the cap!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 402 ✭✭Graceland


    If I want to opt out of getting a smart meter, will there be a charge added to my bill every month? Someone said there could be but I don't know how true this is. If it is true, then I don't think it is fair, especially as it isn't compulsory to have a meter.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,465 ✭✭✭✭Hotblack Desiato


    No. 99% of what you hear about smart meters is bolloxology and pub talk

    Scrap the cap!



  • Registered Users Posts: 628 ✭✭✭Meeoow


    I opted out. I just rang them and they didn't even ask why. No problems.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 402 ✭✭Graceland


    Thanks. Besides ringing them, did they tell you to send an email as well - just so that you can have written confirmation that you have opted out.



  • Registered Users Posts: 628 ✭✭✭Meeoow


    No. I rang electric Ireland or esb networks, I can't remember which. Gave my details and that was it. No hassle. But I am in an old house, where the meter is inside, so they cannot access it.

    That's the main reason I opted out. I have tinnitus, and some people complained that there is a buzzing noise off the new meter. I have enough buzzing on my head already.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 402 ✭✭Graceland


    Thanks for that. I'm just not comfortable enough to take a smart meter at the moment. I appreciate you taking the time to answer.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,734 ✭✭✭✭Bobeagleburger


    That's false. Just refuse the meter. It's not compulsory.

    Everyone will probably eventually have one, but the rollout is until 2025. Tariffs are a joke, plus day/night meters don't exist with smart meters. Also, their peak tarriffs 🙄



  • Registered Users Posts: 628 ✭✭✭Meeoow


    It'd be great if someone here who is opting for a smart meter did a test to compare their current meter against a smart meter. Check before and after readings on both meters when running a wash or something. I am also reading stuff about them being inaccurate.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,149 ✭✭✭✭josip


    Does anyone have any examples of the difference in rates between the old day/night meters and smart meter offerings?

    Those who are saying that the rates were better for the old night meter; are you taking into account the overall increase in electricity costs in the interim?



  • Registered Users Posts: 36 SlitDrip


    Heres one that isnt pub talk.

    You cant get the energia EV rate if you have a smart meter.

    Very foolish to get one if you have the option not to.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,367 ✭✭✭JimmyVik


    Looking at changing providewr at the moment.

    Looks like all of the smart tariffs are far more expensive than the normal day/night tariffs. How hard wouldf it be for them to give you the same day/night tariff on a smart meter?

    But they wont do it.

    You would want to be seriously thick to want a smart meter with the tariffs available.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,367 ✭✭✭JimmyVik




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 837 ✭✭✭crossmolinalad


    Not a fool at all Im never at home in the week and if you get a smartmeter you can get one day in the weekend free power so thats the reason i want a smartmeter so i can do anything on that day that eats power



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,233 ✭✭✭irishchris


    I was with bord gais for last couple of months on the smart meter free Sunday offer. Actually really good and nice to freely turn on everything on a Sunday and not worry about it. Also have 8 kWh of batteries with my solar so would charge them up on the free electricity and use it for Sunday night/Monday day.

    However moved to electric Ireland night boost as the 6c boost appeals to me as can charge my batteries on cheap rate and use them during day. Heavy items like dishwasher and washing machine can be set on their night rate at 7am when up in morning.

    The bord gais website breaks the half hourly data down well and stores exactly what was used and amounts per 30 mins which match up with my own eddi monitoring system. Just wondering for anyone with electric Ireland smart plan is their user menu as clear as this with bord gais and can you see exact amounts broken down in kwh per half hour?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,367 ✭✭✭JimmyVik


    Good luck staying home all day Sunday to get your value so as you can make up for double the price on the other 6 days of the week :)

    Seriuously though, you are clearly not a normal user if you out all week and only home at the weekend.

    And if thats what you have to do to make the smart meter work, i dont see too many people wanting the smart meter.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,233 ✭✭✭irishchris


    Don't understand the double the price the rest of the week? It's 17c day units which seems comparable to most 24hr meter plans since the recent price rises?

    But anyway, Yep working mon to Friday so very little usage then and solar installed so covers all daytime electricity. Home weekend and kids off school then so definitely was a blessing on the Sunday plan with getting all washing, drying, battery charging and few hours of cooking Sunday roast etc for free.

    But like I said moved now to night boost plan so again will ask the question off genuine helpful users who may have a smart meter plan with electric Ireland would you have a sample image of electric Ireland half hourly usage? Many thanks.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,367 ✭✭✭JimmyVik


    We have about 50% of our usage at night (12:00 - 9am) for 8c an hour including VAT.

    The daytime is the other 50% at 16C inc vat.

    Cant find any smart meter plan that compares to that.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,548 ✭✭✭FishOnABike


    Electric Ireland break it down into hourly useage in their daily view graphs. You can view it by cost or kWh.

    Monthly view shows useage per day which can be viewed by cost, kWh or appliance category.

    Year view shows useage per billing cycle which you can view by cost, kWh or appliance category.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,233 ✭✭✭irishchris


    No that is ev plan you are on and paying for day night meter but that plan is also going up 9.3% next week.

    The plan I'm moving to will be 6c nighttime but only for the boost hours which I will be powering my house with thanks to solar and charging batteries at this very cheap rate.

    Now we are differing in terms of what we require and I get you don't like smart plan prices etc as don't suit you so prefer instead of a back and forth on "smart meters are bad bad" that you will let someone answer my query on Electric Ireland half hourly usage and if it shows amounts per half hour in kWh. Many thanks to anyone who can help with this query.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,233 ✭✭✭irishchris


    Thanks a million, appreciate that.

    Would you mind letting me know if there would be this detail like the second screenshot with actual figures per hour as use this to compare every now and then against my home monitoring.

    Again thanks very much for your help




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,367 ✭✭✭JimmyVik


    No. its just called EnergySaver30% electricity.

    For our usage. 50% between the hours of 9:00am to midnight and 50% between midnight and 9am, no other smart meter plan even comes close.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,233 ✭✭✭irishchris


    Thanks a million, appreciate that.

    Would you mind letting me know if there would be this detail like the second screenshot with actual figures per hour as use this to compare every now and then against my home monitoring.

    Again thanks very much for your help



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,548 ✭✭✭FishOnABike


    In electric ireland's daily view you can see the hourly usage (or cost) over any selected day. You can drill down from the monthly view or scroll right / left to the day you are interested in.

    There's no neat tabular view like your second image but you can download up to two year's data giving energy consumption in half hourly intervals in csv format and view it in an external spreadsheet with date down the leftmost column and time in half hourly intervals across the top row.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,233 ✭✭✭irishchris


    Excellent that's perfect and still gives good level of control of cost. Many thanks for the detailed response 👍





  • And I’ll correct you swiftly on that, they don’t need half an hour to shut the power off to your gaff, they simply pop to your gaff, open the meter box if it’s outside and rip the fuse clean out.

    30 seconds.

    in fact being able to control the supply from the office is a step in the right direction. If you were disconnected for non payment or the likes and you reach an agreement to pay or whatever rather than waiting 3-5 days or so + paying €80 iirc? for an ESB guy to pop out they can do it from there the very same as if your phone was cut off or internet.


    don’t fear the future so much. You can’t run away from it.

    oh and you could ring ur supplier right now call them every exploitive imaginable and they can’t just cut you off. They can’t just turn off the power because they dislike you & i’d nearly imagine were they to; the ESB would have some serious problems with it.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,465 ✭✭✭✭Hotblack Desiato


    don’t fear the future so much. You can’t run away from it.

    Rather ironic when replying to posts from over 2 years ago...

    Scrap the cap!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,734 ✭✭✭✭Bobeagleburger




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 424 ✭✭Roger the cabin boy


    From the 1st post and the derision that followed to the last page and the realities of the situation is quite some journey.


    I'll be doing all i can to avoid a smart meter until the providers get real with the scandalous rates.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,233 ✭✭✭irishchris


    Finally got my account changed over to electric Ireland from bord gais after two weeks. But under usage it says not available yet try again later.

    Did it take long after you joining for the daily usage to show in your account?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,548 ✭✭✭FishOnABike


    I was an existing electric Ireland customer + had my analog meter replaced by a smart meter so it wasn't like switching an existing active smart meter account.

    The insights usage graph shows useage data up to three days ago so I guess it would take three days before it starts showing in the graphs.

    If I go into the details tab and download useage data it shows half hourly data up to yesterday so this might be available a day or so after switching over.



  • Registered Users Posts: 1,237 ✭✭✭Orebro


    Do these meters have two way communication functionality where your provider can tell the meter what the current cost of electricity is? Surely a situation where you can set your dryer, dishwasher, EV etc in a standby state where the cost of electricity hits a certain rate and they'll all start working would make the most sense, as opposed to paying a set rate? I've seen times in the UK where electricity can even become free at stages during the night due to over supply and people have such a setup at home to take advantage.



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