General Chat

with Smart meters being advertised as a way to 'Save the World'?

As far as I can see it's a way to increase the cost of fuel during busy periods.
It's not going to save the planet!

Yes! I was just having a not so silent rant at the advert !

I'm really annoyed that they are using children who are, on the whole, serious about climate change in an advertisement for a poxy 'smart' meter.

When you think of all the problems caused by these things - fires, incompatibility with other providers etc (though the 'second generation' are allegedly better) - all for the apparent saving of £11 a year!
So not really an amount to 'save the planet' - when airports are being extended, container ships are still allowed to blast pollution into the ocean, and public transport is being cut, so people need to buy cars to get anywhere!

Then, of course, there is the pollution caused by the diesel in the vans going from place to place to fit the bl**dy things - hypocrisy at it's finest!

Maggie, I am completely behind you regarding pollution.

While I understand the reasoning behind restrictions, I don't understand the unevenness with which they are applied globally.

With a lot of pollution emanating from catch up of less-developed nations, eg burning of forests and continued (and even growing) use of dirty fuel, and from developed countries whose emissions controls are a lot less severe than ours (seemingly ignoring any protocol) why would our government take its electorate to the cleaners, adding to our cost of living?

The 'saving the planet' mantra seems only to apply to a handful of nations while it's business as usual for the rest of the world.

Today London, tomorrow Newcastle. If our local authority ever introduced a pollution scheme it would clean out motorists' pockets as our little city is chock-a-block, bumper to bumper most mornings and evenings. We have a proposed bypass with a lot of opposition to it but surprisingly, although our LA introduced the first congestion charge in the country (a very small section of road leading to the World Heritage site), it has not thought of introducing a congestion charge to drive through the city centre. If it did, not only would such charges go some way to funding the bypass but opposition to it may well fade away.

Ways and means. ;-)

We got one put in in 2015
They were being pushed big time in the area and we decided to have one believing the hype about them

Save money ? Nope because we had always been careful about use especially with the electric like not having unnecessary lights on . Etc
We had the two part tariff too because it had fitted in with hubby working shifts so heat etc was being used at different times .
We were both retired by then so weren't saving anything

The meters had to be changed over for the smart meters

So the only thing it has helped with is not getting estimated bills and the meter reader calling and wanting to walk on my light coloured lounge carpet in his shoes to get to the undertstairs cupboard and some getting shirty with my shoes off please request




;-)

Worried about fossil fuel pollution to generate electricity? You’ll already be careful about use. The same if you’re concerned about the cost.

How much energy was used to produce the smart meters?

The only advantage to the householder is more accurate readings. The downside to that is the loss of meter readers jobs.

I'd a friend years ago used to argue that all these fancy gas boilers and fires and cookers ought to be free.
Without them how could you burn the gas you'd paid for ?

I agree with your friend, David!
The main reason I've changed broadband provider over the years, is to get a new
Router!
After a while they slow down, and become out of date.
I fail to see why I should go out and buy one, when, without it, my computer is useless, yet the provider is still happy to take my money :-|

Maggie, I bought my last router a BT Hub 6 off eBay, almost new, dirt cheap :-)

It's the principle, though David.
Also, I've had 3 new routers in the past 6 years - they've cost me nothing - and, because I've changed provider, I've got a better deal each time! :-D

I see your points Maggie, but if you were to search eBay these things can be found, you might want one as a spare.

No David - if it's not up to the job - the provider can supply another - or I change provider again!

Don't you have to stay with them a year or longer Maggie ?

We said no to a smart meter being fitted just a few weeks ago. The letter that we received offering us one said that you didn't have to have it fitted and because I hate change of any sort I said NO - not until we have no choice about the matter.

Kath. x

Yes, David - but if a router doesn't last a year, it's obviously faulty!
Sometimes I stay with providers beyond the contract time - if the routers last that long!

Good points Maggie, can't you tune them in ? I can with mine, has buttons on.

Yes, David, obviously I can tune them in, if necessary.
But if they're faulty, no amount of 'tuning in' will work. :-S

If you've been supplied with goods not fit for purpose, that's another matter.