Smart Meters

loretta · Sep 27, 2011 2:20 pm

Hi All

I have done a search and nothing is really coming up on these, which surprises me a little.

Can someone please fill me in on Smart Meters?? From what research I have done, they sound horrendous and I should be expecting my electricity bill to at least double. Sounds like I should be very very afraid. Or is this just a huge scare campaign?

What have people's experiences been? And has anyone found a great, (sorry, bit optimistic really), a good energy supplier for both gas and electricity? I am in the Sutherland Shire in Sydney.

Thanks a lot

Loretta

KAN · Sep 27, 2011 4:07 pm

Hi

We are doing a KDR and have just had Energy Australia reconnect Electricity at the site.
We also just received a letter from them about Smart Meter's.....they qote" Smart meters record how much electricity is used in 30 minute intervals, and this means dofferent rates of electricity can be charged at different times of day. This gives households more control of their electricity costs>>>" They also give the times
12-7am - off peak
7am - 2pm - shoulder
2pm - 8pm - Peak
8pm - 10pm shoulder
10pm - 12am Off peak

In addition to this, there is also bandings for weekends and public holidays.

There is a little more information here http://www.energyaustralia.com.au/State ... -Home.aspx

Hope this helps

loretta · Sep 27, 2011 4:26 pm

Hi KAN

Thanks very much for that info. Very useful.

The problem is, the energy companies seem to promising that because they can read your meter as per Time of Use, you should be able to keep a lid on your usage and in fact reduce your bills.

However, the vast majority of posts etc that I have read are the complete opposite. People who have always had the same kind of usage each qtr and been billed accordingly, have suddently, after the install of the Smart Meter, had their useage double and their bill.

OR their usage appears to be the same but the bill still doubles. I have heard some really terrible things about one three lettered company in particular, and the dispute resolution process seems to be hoop after hoop after hoop. It also sounds like the Ombudsman is completely overwhelmed with complaints....

We HAVE to have one but I am just trying to suss out just how bad they are.

Loretta

bashworth · Sep 27, 2011 5:13 pm

If you continue your present use a smart meter will cost you more.

What we do is run our washing machine and tumble drier at night or at weekends when the power is much cheaper.

I also only run my beer fridge at night allowing the fridge to just act like an eski during the day.

The more power consumption you can move to off peak periods the better off you will be.

Also things like low energy bulbs and switching TVs off rather than leaving them on standby will all help to control costs.

loretta · Sep 27, 2011 5:47 pm

We are already down to around 10kwh which I thought was pretty decent and yet our bill is still over $200. Double that and we are in trouble.

But I take your point about trying to do things at night.

Helyn · Sep 28, 2011 8:44 am

Link worked fine for me - I think it must be problem your end, Marcelo.

We have smart meter installed - link is very handy for knowing exactly when is best times to use optional things - like recharging laptops, phones, run dishwasher etc.
I knew it was cheaper at night but 10pm to 7 am is best time - was doing things sometimes 'at night' but in shoulder period before 10 pm.
Also some things will not be practical to run at night - like washing machine if one wants to hang it on the line during the day

- but if you get up early, you can run it at 6 am and still be on night rates.