Smart Meter Upgrade – Should I Proceed or Opt out?

OzHan on 12/08/2024 - 11:43

I received an email from Alinta (electricity retailer) today informing us that they will be upgrading our electricity meter into a smart meter. It will all be done free of charge. We have solar panels and have no issues with our existing meter.

The upgrade is not compulsory and we have the option to opt out, can’t see any benefit though from our end as meter reading is done manually by provider and we don’t use estimated bills. my concern is with the smart meter consumption/costs may potentially increase and may be more difficult to switch provider in the future.

Should I proceed with the upgrade or opt out? Is there anything I should be mindful of? Would appreciate any comments.

Electrical & Electronics Smart Meter

Comments

  • geekcohen on 12/08/2024 - 11:57
    +7

    Upgrade. Real-Time Monitoring will be available of your solar input and then what you are buying. Also allows you to use tools like having a PowerPal.

    my concern is with the smart meter consumption/costs may potentially increas

    Unlikely, although I think there was some random thread about someone saying that. You might get a better bill because of your Solar Feed In.

    and may be more difficult to switch provider in the future

    Why? You are not locked into a retailer and can move. Alinta are probably just contacting you on behalf of the Grid Provider.

    • OzHan on 12/08/2024 - 12:02

      I already have monitoring of the solar via bluetooth on the Inverter and I barely look at it after a while. Thanks anyways. Solar FIT is rather pathetic now.

    • HeWhoKnows on 13/08/2024 - 17:33
      +1

      Firstly let me say that my electrician told me not to switch to a smart meter as it just gave them more ways to charge for electricity and my bills would be higher.

      Anyway same happened to me recently but it was done in a very "sleezy" fashion

      No fiim reason was given for the requested change to a Smart meter by Alinta.
      The letter included several "lame excuses" such as could be faulty, end of life and something else.
      When I called Alinta they said that AusGrid has requested the change.
      I pressed further and after initaiily being told the change was optional, I was then told it wasnt.

      But I had been with AGL for the past 12 years and never received such a notification from them.
      Except when I went to switch to Simple Energy a couple of years ago who also tried to change my good reliable "Email" meter to a dodgy smart meter. I quickly cancelled and moved back to AGL and never heard anything again about changing my meter.
      So there is proof enough that its a bit of a scam.

      Just look at the logic behind this

      1. My current meter was working perfectly. Meters either work or they dont.
      2. My current meter was "engineered and manufactured" by Email in Australia to work forever back in the days when they actually did this.
      3. There has been no obvious change to my metered electricity usage over the last few years, hence no reason to believe the meter is faulty.
      4. I also have an off-peak meter but no request was made to change this….why?
      5. With my current meter Im charged a single rate. Its easy to monitor usage and compare usage when looking to change to another supplier.
      6. What do I have to gain from a change to a smart meter - Nothing!
      7. What does the retailer have to gain by changing the meter? -
        They can change the rate they charge according to peak or shoulder tiime of year.
        They can charge a demand rate (read penalty rate) on top of your metered power usage.
        They can do remote meter reads which saves them time and money compared with doing manual reads.
        All up they make more money out of you. And you will likely pay MORE for your electricity

      But for OP with Solar panels I dont know
      1. OP's current meter works fine
      2. OP is probably on a fixed rate tarrif so easy to read the meter and compare when looking to change to another provider.
      3. Dont know if OP's meter is compatible with solar feed in. But probably is.
      4. OP's meter will likely be changed to a "demand" meter as well, giving the retailer more ways to charge for power as I have outlined above.

      I suggest OP discusses this with their electricain who would know more about this

      But for the average person who doesnt have solar panels, smart meters are only smart for the energy retailer. Not for the consumer. They dont spend money on installing new smart meters to do us any favours unfotunately.

      • NigelPearson on 16/08/2024 - 08:17

        "I also have an off-peak meter but no request was made to change this….why?"

        The new smart meter should replace any seperate "controlled load" (off peak hot water) meter/timer — the sparky will remove your 2 meters and put one in.

        (If you still have a Solar gross meter, that might also get removed, but in my case the lazy sods left it in there)

  • Namidairo on 12/08/2024 - 12:04
    +2

    my concern is with the smart meter consumption/costs may potentially increase and may be more difficult to switch provider in the future.

    They'll probably move you from your current flat-rate tariff onto a time of use or demand tariff, so check with your retailer rates to see how that will affect your bill. Although since you have no time of use data available from your current meter, you won't be able to estimate that very well.

    Moving provider actually ends up easier on a smart meter, as you don't require paying the fee for special feed or waiting until next quarter for it to roll over onto a new provider.

    The issue is that they obviously don't communicate the ramifications of tariff changes very well, if you have to ask here. (And all those little old ladies on ACA/TT screaming that they've been screwed by a power company)

    • OzHan on 12/08/2024 - 12:08
      +1

      Thanks. see there's always a catch somewhere.

      • ColtNoir on 13/08/2024 - 12:04

        The off peak tariff options can often be quite good. With many things now being ‘smart’ you can schedule high energy things to off peak times such as the dryer.

        I’ve found that I peak charges are the same as my car old standard rate, so it only had bonuses for me.

        Not sure on the last year as I’m now on mates rates with AGL.

  • c64 on 12/08/2024 - 12:04
    +4

    you will get switched to a time of use plan (peak hours in afternoon/evening might be more expensive). may not work out to be beneficial

    • OzHan on 12/08/2024 - 12:06
      +1

      Exactly my concern, smarter may not necessarily be better. thanks for the comment.

      • JDMcarfan on 12/08/2024 - 17:25

        you can move back to Single rate tarriffs and also move to a plan without the demand tariff, its just a couple of calls and perhaps a quarter on TOU.
        Makes switching afterwards much easier though (however the flat tariff on a smart meter restricts you to the larger players)

    • c64 on 12/08/2024 - 12:08
      +2

      possibly plus a peak demand component, so that heavy usage one night will result in you paying for that for the whole month or billing period

    • ricadam on 12/08/2024 - 15:18

      Having said that. Knowing when the peak times and what your usage is, you can plan accordingly and save $ (like changing the time you use the dishwasher, dryer and washing machines etc)

      • OzHan on 13/08/2024 - 12:11

        When you have solar, planning time for using the appliances is easy - whenever the sun shines.

  • EightImmortals on 12/08/2024 - 12:08

    Opt out. We agreed last year and our bills have gone up by about $100 a month.

    • geekcohen on 12/08/2024 - 12:09
      +2

      Rates have gone up as well in the last 12 months.

    • OzHan on 12/08/2024 - 12:11

      Oh dear…. Thanks.

    • Duckie2hh on 12/08/2024 - 14:33

      Yup, that's irrefutable proof right there.

  • Elppa8 on 12/08/2024 - 12:49

    As far as I am aware, in NSW at least, you decide what provider and what plan you want. If you don’t want TOU you choose another plan. Your provider must also tell you if there is a better plan for you and that information is on your bill.

  • GordonD on 12/08/2024 - 12:52
    +1

    You have solar panels, and you don't already have a smart meter? I don't know how you can have solar, and not have a smart meter.

    When I got solar 15 years ago, it required a smart meter.

    • Elppa8 on 12/08/2024 - 13:02

      When mine was installed 13 years ago they installed a separate meter for the solar. 60 cents a kWh rebate/credit, those were the days. Changed to a smart meter a few years ago and later with remote reading.

    • OzHan on 12/08/2024 - 13:04

      At the time when my solar was installed, SM was not mandatory.

    • Baghern on 12/08/2024 - 15:54

      Solar does not need a smart meter,

      Its called "net metering"

      Parents have had solar for over 15years they're not on smart meter

    • GOCAT9 on 13/08/2024 - 10:50

      I’ve had solar panels for 12 years and have never had a smart meter. I still don’t have one!

  • mrdean on 12/08/2024 - 13:11
    +3

    Opt out.

    • chrisie on 12/08/2024 - 16:28

      AGree !!!

  • Bignudge on 12/08/2024 - 14:10
    +1

    You've got solar, and on the original spinny spinny meter. Of course you'd have no issues with the current meter ;)

    If I were you, I'd keep it that way. Just gotta make sure the reading doesn't go "sub-zero" if you know what I mean. iykyk.

    PS. Totally illegal though, you should change it to be safe.

    • OzHan on 12/08/2024 - 14:19

      Its not a spinny. its a digital meter but not smart.

      https://fastron.com.au/products/itron-ace2000-smb-type-292?s…

      • freefall101 on 12/08/2024 - 15:29
        +2

        Have you ever made sure it's not counting your exports as imports? Some of those digital ones had that issue.

        On topic, I'd switch. It makes churning providers a lot easier. Instead of waiting for a read, my last change took 3 business days.

        • OzHan on 12/08/2024 - 15:45

          I am not even sure how to check that tbh.

  • Baghern on 12/08/2024 - 15:50
    +5

    The concern is you'll be moving to Time of use instead of flat fee.

    When it was first introduced it was touted as cheaper because you can use power at shoulder and off peak to save money.

    The problem is was scammed the hell by the electric companies, hence everyone's bill skyrocketed

    Which is why it wasnt made compulsory an

    I think Victoria went first and had it compuksory

    I've heard its better now, but still scammy, too difficult to take advantage of

    To give an idea of what deals were like

    flat - 25 cents

    Time of use

    Peak 4-10pm 40cents

    Shoulder 8-12am and 11-1am 30cents

    Off peak the rest 22cents

    Because peak costs the so much, it really should have been something like

    25cent flat

    Time of use

    Peak 30cents

    Shoulder 20cents

    off peak 15cents

    To add to this, if this occurred, more people would have moved to shoulder and off peak usage, which means in the long term, Peak should drop in price…. over bills should continually drop

    • DoctorCalculon on 12/08/2024 - 19:40

      The concern is you'll be moving to Time of use instead of flat fee.

      If this happens, you simply ask your retailer to raise a work order with the DNSP to move your meter back to the flat fee tariff code.

      Some sneaky retailers don't tell you when your tariff code changes until you see it in your next bill.

      • BigBirdy on 13/08/2024 - 09:22

        I read (on Reddit), some suppliers may require retailers have you on a Time Of Use, at potentially much higher rates. Ie you can’t opt out of TOU

  • Brendoo on 13/08/2024 - 07:32
    +2

    Opt out.
    I have a smart meter (was mandatory where I live), multiple times I’ve received massive bills about 6x higher than normal. I live alone and am not home much so my bill is normally small.
    Every time this has happened and I tried to get my money refunded they refused saying I have to prove I have considerable financial hardship as a result (I don’t), then they will refund me. Otherwise they credit me, but I don’t like that option. I then don’t pay a bill for about 6 months.
    Each time they tell me the reason is they cannot communicate with the meter so they charge me the average charge for my area.
    I argued why don’t they charge me the average price for MY bills, but they say it doesn’t work like that.
    This is Sydney Electricity.

    • LFO on 13/08/2024 - 10:04

      Wouldn't they credit the difference once a proper read/link is done??

      In SEQ they estimate some bills/charges form time to time but then, after a real read, a credit or debit is applied.

    • bamzero on 13/08/2024 - 13:33

      I argued why don’t they charge me the average price for MY bills, but they say it doesn’t work like that.

      One might argue why don't they charge you for what you actually use. If they don't want to send someone to do a reading, they should at least allow user submitted readings.

  • paullovesbargains on 13/08/2024 - 09:07
    -4

    And the fry your brain too. Combined with covid injections and 5G rollout, you will be stuffed.

    • c64 on 13/08/2024 - 10:18

      nowadays installation includes a complimentary tin-foil hat

  • ozbargainoid on 13/08/2024 - 09:17

    The meter is provided through your retailer by the grid operator. i.e. SE Qld is Energex.
    I have read that everybody will changed to a smart meter by 2030.
    Once the smart meters are installed, and there is a heavy demand spike, the operator will be able to switch you off. Also they can introduce peak demand plans to suppress usage spikes (It sounds like I need to make a tin foil hat…lol)

    • munecito on 13/08/2024 - 09:45

      Yep. I'll stay away until the last minute.

      https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-31/energex-ergon-peaksma….

    • gyrex on 13/08/2024 - 10:28
      +1

      Once the smart meters are installed, and there is a heavy demand spike, the operator will be able to switch you off

      More tin foil hat nonsense. The DNSP can shut down your supply in high usage/low supply situations irrespective of your meter type.

  • LFO on 13/08/2024 - 10:00

    as meter reading is done manually by provider

    Chances are providers might start charging once almost all customers in the area are in a smart meter.

    One advantage of smart meters is that you can lock up your property, for privacy or for long holidays away, with no Meter Reader person walking in unexpectedly.
    May not be a problem if meter is accessed from outside.

    • c64 on 13/08/2024 - 10:15

      the main advantage, for the retailers, is they can charge more. they wouldn't be pushing them if future electricity bills are going to be lower …

    • OzHan on 13/08/2024 - 10:19

      Provided you don't use gas.

      • c64 on 13/08/2024 - 10:21

        what happens if i only produce gas?

  • greenslade on 13/08/2024 - 21:00

    Definitely upgrade. With solar and behind the meter options you are definitely onto an Oz-bargain. But while you're at it, look for another provider. It pays to shop around. Off grid all the way if you can, there's no other way to be insulated from volatile energy prices. No question but solar plus battery plus EV will be better on the long term for bargains and having control of your energy.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join