Smart water meter

[olley]

Just had a note posted through the letterbox telling me they have fitted a smart water meter, once it's activated I can go on Anglian waters website and see how much water I am using.
Out of curiosity I probably will, but it will make no difference to our consumption.

These smart meters to me are just a way of cutting costs to the suppliers, and for most of us are just a gimmick.

 

[Odd-no-more]

Just had a note posted through the letterbox telling me they have fitted a smart water meter, once it's activated I can go on Anglian waters website and see how much water I am using.
Out of curiosity I probably will, but it will make no difference to our consumption.

These smart meters to me are just a way of cutting costs to the suppliers, and for most of us are just a gimmick.

If/when the get it all up and running with a smart electricity meter and smart appliances, the electricity meter will be able to tell the washing machine and water heater to switch on when the electricity is cheapest, this will be a good thing with wind and solar which can be intermittent. However I suspect we are 20 years away from that happening so for now I don't want one.

 

[GJH]

If/when the get it all up and running with a smart electricity meter and smart appliances, the electricity meter will be able to tell the washing machine and water heater to switch on when the electricity is cheapest, this will be a good thing with wind and solar which can be intermittent. However I suspect we are 20 years away from that happening so for now I don't want one.

Given the poor standard of many apps these days (indicated by the fact that they have to be updated so often) and the fact that so many different companies would be involved, the meter would be as likely to tell the washing machine to flood the house

 

[Minxy]

These smart meters to me are just a way of cutting costs to the suppliers, and for most of us are just a gimmick.

If the costs are being reduced, or not increased, due to the suppliers not having to do so much then surely that is a good thing as the costs are always passed on to the consumer. It also means that those who cannot read meters themselves won't have to wait for a meter reader to come out and do it every blue moon so should ensure that the amount they pay is more accurate than the usual 'stick a finger in the air and guess' that some companies seems to do and then overcharge massively.

 

[kevenh]

Given the poor standard of many apps these days (indicated by the fact that they have to be updated so often)

I don’t know for a fact but have a reasonable expectation that security fixes rather than feature fixes are what 98.2% of app updates are

Edit. Missed a smiley on my percentage being given to a decimal place

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[gpat]

I think you are all missing the point completely. Sorry

Water companies are fitting smart meters for 2 main reasons.

1) Yes it saves cost being able to read meters for charging purposes because you don't need a man (or woman or whatever) to go round manually reading them. This is true
2) But more importantly, Water Companies are struggling to meet their leakage targets. We estimate about 40% of leakage is on customers supply pipes and not on the water network. Having smart meters means that water companies can quickly pinpoint customer leakage (be that leaking cisterns or leaks on the supply pipe itself). They can them inform the customer and get the leaks fixed within days thus
a) Saving the customer unnecessary waste of water and cost
b) reducing leakage

Not a gimmick at all really. Being able to look at your water usage is just a fringe benefit

 

[maison]

We had smart meters fitted five years ago for our gas and electric. On looking at changing suppliers we were informed that they were compatible with their equipment.

On switching they found that the electric meter was OK but that the gas meter, which is in the garage, was too far away to communicate with their senders. Result :- they simply declared both unsuitable so we are back to readings and estimates.

We liked the smart meters as it meant that we didn’t get wildly exaggerated estimates when we were away.

 

[GJH]

I don’t know for a fact but have a reasonable expectation that security fixes rather than feature fixes are what 98.2% of app updates are

Edit. Missed a smiley on my percentage being given to a decimal place

But why wouldn't the necessary security code be built into the app in the first place?
If the problem is new data variables then the app should not need the code updating, merely the database against which it checks.
More likely to be bugs arising from inadequate initial specification/design, and employing coders using dodgy high level code blocks rather than programmers

 

[Landy Andy]

I think you are all missing the point completely. Sorry

Water companies are fitting smart meters for 2 main reasons.

1) Yes it saves cost being able to read meters for charging purposes because you don't need a man (or woman or whatever) to go round manually reading them. This is true
2) But more importantly, Water Companies are struggling to meet their leakage targets. We estimate about 40% of leakage is on customers supply pipes and not on the water network. Having smart meters means that water companies can quickly pinpoint customer leakage (be that leaking cisterns or leaks on the supply pipe itself). They can them inform the customer and get the leaks fixed within days thus
a) Saving the customer unnecessary waste of water and cost
b) reducing leakage

Not a gimmick at all really. Being able to look at your water usage is just a fringe benefit

How can a meter see if there is a water leak. Smart or not. From an office, probably in a different country, they will just see the usage of water, not it’s use. They won’t be able to tell if the family has a new motorhome that they keep washing and topping up with water, or if they have a failed pressure release valve on their mega flow. A major leak yes, but they are soon noticed. I can’t see the need for a smart meter over a standard water meter, apart from labour saving, job reducing).

 

[Richard n Ann]

Think ours must be powered by a turbine in the meter or something, since we've been away and not used anything for 8 weeks the wheels must have come off it ... They want me to read it manually

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[Ivory55]

What ever the reason it’s a guarantee that the price will not come down

 

[Emmit]

Hijacking this thread slightly (but still on the subject of smart meters,)

Our Gas/Electricity provider insisted that, as a result of the tariff we opted for,
we HAD to have a Smart Meter.
Their 'Technician' came in July and managed to break the door of the meter cupboard.
He said that he would report it but did he ???? I doubt it.

Cut to late September and I noticed that the smart? gizmo in the house wasn't showing
our electricity consumption.
I contacted them and they said, "Ah that's why we haven't got a reading"

Cut to last night when they sent me an email advising me that I was in credit to the tune
of a figure just South of the National Debt. It also showed that they haven't had a
reading of electricity for 66 days.

By return I sent them a note advising them of the damage sustained to my box and further suggested
that if they wanted to find out how much Lekky I had used, they had better fix that before I would venture out into the Cold.

Watch this space.

 

[gpat]

Think ours must be powered by a turbine in the meter or something, since we've been away and not used anything for 8 weeks the wheels must have come off it ... They want me to read it manually

Lifetime battery

 

[gpat]

How can a meter see if there is a water leak. Smart or not. From an office, probably in a different country, they will just see the usage of water, not it’s use. They won’t be able to tell if the family has a new motorhome that they keep washing and topping up with water, or if they have a failed pressure release valve on their mega flow. A major leak yes, but they are soon noticed. I can’t see the need for a smart meter over a standard water meter, apart from labour saving, job reducing).

Good question

Leaks are identified by looking at things called nightlines. That's the flow at say 2am when the flow is the lowest. If you have a leak it's higher than normal. At 2 am unless you are a vampire, you are asleep and apart from the odd flush your usage is zero.

Because a smart meter gives you readings that are 15s apart you can see in greater resolution.

Does that make sense?

 

[Larrynwin]

I refuse to have a “SMART” meter fitted based on other reports of problems as in posts above. It seems some just are not smart at all.

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[Lenny HB]

Ours must be semi smart a van drives down the road o ce a year and reads the meters wirelessly.

 

[Emmit]

How can a meter see if there is a water leak. Smart or not. From an office, probably in a different country, they will just see the usage of water, not it’s use. They won’t be able to tell if the family has a new motorhome that they keep washing and topping up with water, or if they have a failed pressure release valve on their mega flow. A major leak yes, but they are soon noticed. I can’t see the need for a smart meter over a standard water meter, apart from labour saving, job reducing).

How can a meter see if there is a water leak. Smart or not. From an office, probably in a different country, they will just see the usage of water, not it’s use. They won’t be able to tell if the family has a new motorhome that they keep washing and topping up with water, or if they have a failed pressure release valve on their mega flow. A major leak yes, but they are soon noticed. I can’t see the need for a smart meter over a standard water meter, apart from labour saving, job reducing).

You asked the question, "How can a meter see if there is a water leak?

I asked a worker within the Industry. This is the reply.
"Hi there. Smart meters have plenty of uses other than what might on the surface appear to be cost saving.

Accuracy: The numbers don't get misread, and rural meters are less likely to be missed. Theft. Where a meter has been illegally disconnected and removed, a red flag can come up showing where there isn't any flow at all where there once was or should be.

Leakage: The way leakage detection works is the presence of constant flow. The smart meters can tell if there is a constant flow. Someone with a shiny new motorhome won't be washing it at 4am every day. Unless they're really weird. My friend had no idea his property was leaking 400 litres a day. The smart meter would have flagged it. And whilst not everyone with constant flow will have a leak (farmers with tanks etc) it does mean those with constant flow can have their usage applied to leakage targets making the likes of my job a little more efficient.

The meters - certainly where I work - are checked by proximity bluetooth tech, and all the people you speak to are sat at a desk in the UK. Whilst the main tool in a leak detectors kit is a somewhat antiquated steel listening stick with a wooden horn on the end, it's this new kind of technology on meters that helps us keep the water where it should be until it's needed. Whilst drivers for tech is often cost savings, the water companies also have a legal obligation to do all they can to help the customer and reduce leakage. I fully understand any cynicism anyone may have, but I can tell you from a professional point of view they are a good thing. "

I hope this helps.

 

[Emmit]

Hijacking this thread slightly (but still on the subject of smart meters,)

Our Gas/Electricity provider insisted that, as a result of the tariff we opted for,
we HAD to have a Smart Meter.
Their 'Technician' came in July and managed to break the door of the meter cupboard.
He said that he would report it but did he ???? I doubt it.

Cut to late September and I noticed that the smart? gizmo in the house wasn't showing
our electricity consumption.
I contacted them and they said, "Ah that's why we haven't got a reading"

Cut to last night when they sent me an email advising me that I was in credit to the tune
of a figure just South of the National Debt. It also showed that they haven't had a
reading of electricity for 66 days.

By return I sent them a note advising them of the damage sustained to my box and further suggested
that if they wanted to find out how much Lekky I had used, they had better fix that before I would venture out into the Cold.

Watch this space.

Update on this one.

Got an EMail from Emma?
The upshot was
Question 1. Was the box broken before the Smart bit was fitted. I had already given her this info. in my Email to her.
Information. Your account is not correct, (No Sh.. Sherlock) and we need YOU, ie Me to give them meter readings.

I sent that back and pointed out that in timeframe terms, my broken box problems are older than their inoperable smart meter.
Repair the box and I'll give you readings.

Watch this space.

 

[hja]

In our previous house (GTR Manchester), the dustbin men used to read the water meter! Seriously, the water meter was under the sink, and read wirelessly from some piece of electronics in the refuse truck! I was fascinated.
Here in Lincolnshire, no such technology! A person comes along, lifts up the lid in the drive, peers down with a torch and records the reading.
Out electricity smart meter has been fine, and allowed us to opt for a reasonable tariff back in July.

 

[bigwood]

Anglian Water fitted a water meter on the drive next to the side door five years ago. This is inside the gated area of our drive so they can only read the meter when we are there to open the gate.
As yet the meter hasn’t been read so that was a waste of time and money.

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[scally]

I refuse to have a “SMART” meter fitted based on other reports of problems as in posts above. It seems some just are not smart at all.

You and me both. However Anglia Water said they had fitted one ,when I looked in the hole the old meter is still there o it's own and unchanged , so, where is it fitted ?

 

[Minxy]

I refuse to have a “SMART” meter fitted based on other reports of problems as in posts above. It seems some just are not smart at all.

We know the truth ... you don't want to have a meter that is smarter than you!

 

[Langtoftlad]

Anglian Water came to replace my old one a couple of weeks ago... no mention of it being a "smart" one.

So I have no idea.
Don't suppose, as it's their kit sited on the public pavement, there's any obligation to inform the consumer.
Probably not but it would be courteous.

 

[Jaws]

We have never had anyone in to read the meter, but I have told them we are often away in case they think we are fiddling it

 

[gpat]

We have never had anyone in to read the meter, but I have told them we are often away in case they think we are fiddling it

If you have a meter and your water company charges you on the reading they have a statutory obligation to read it themselves. It's either yearly or bi yearly.

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[Jaws]

If you have a meter and your water company charges you on the reading they have a statutory obligation to read it themselves. It's either yearly or bi yearly.

Well I just asked Maureen in case I was out when they called ( our meter is in the kitchen ) and she confirms we have never had a visit !

 

[Silver-Fox]

Strange isn’t it with all this technology they still take weeks before they get to a leak at the side of the road.

They have put a plastic barrier up though.

Ohh and allowed to turn the water pressure down so they don’t have so many leaks

 

[gpat]

Well I just asked Maureen in case I was out when they called ( our meter is in the kitchen ) and she confirms we have never had a visit !

How do they know how much water you have used?

The regulation is very clear. Its every 2 years

Broken Link Removed

 

[acropolis22]

Cut to last night when they sent me an email advising me that I was in credit to the tune
of a figure just South of the National Debt.

Quit while you're ahead, I say.....

 

[Larrynwin]

We know the truth ... you don't want to have a meter that is smarter than you!

That would be easy

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