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Thread ID: 121828 2011-11-16 08:36:00 Smart power meters. ReefRunner (16049) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1243805 2011-11-16 08:36:00 My home will be unoccupied for three months. Historically when this has happened I have turned off the power by using the switch inside the meter box but with the Smart meter which has just been installed can I do this without incurring the wrath of my power supplier as they won't be able to remotely read the meter.

I don't want to approach the supplier as they will want all sorts of info probably including inside leg measurement, plus that would reveal the fact my home will be unoccupied.
ReefRunner (16049)
1243806 2011-11-16 10:05:00 Who cares what they think. It's your money, turn it off. If it's off they can't charge you for consuming, most likely still have to pay all the other line charges etc etc etc Phil B (648)
1243807 2011-11-16 10:47:00 You'll probably find the main switch is on your side of the smart metre so even when off they will still be able to talk to the metre. CYaBro (73)
1243808 2011-11-16 13:30:00 Your smart meter will be unaffected if you turn off the main power. wmoore (6009)
1243809 2011-11-16 19:10:00 If you don't tell them the place would not be using power (actually "disconnect me"), you will end up with 3 months of line charges at between $1 and $2 a day depending on who your supplier is. Are you a "low user"? If not, I suggest you switch to a "low user" plan, which would be about 35cents a day - since you won't be buying any energy, this should work out cheaper at least, while still "not telling" your power co that you aren't there - which is a moot point because the first reading they get will come up with a "zero" energy used - which they may check - so they will know whether your home is empty or not anyway. This privacy issue is actually one of the biggies with advanced meters which has not yet had an airing. ellpow (16400)
1243810 2011-11-16 19:24:00 Forgot to say that since they can interrogate the meters remotely, they can run an automated check easily - so not only will they know you aren't there, they can tell when you've come home - to the hour if they choose (I'm sure they won't bother, but they can). ellpow (16400)
1243811 2011-11-16 20:40:00 Do you have a security system installed? If so don't turn off the main switch. Are you going to turn off your refrigerator(s)? This is not recommended by refrigeration engineers. Richard (739)
1243812 2011-11-17 07:43:00 Just turn it off and if they complain afterwards tell them to get stuffed.

If they really don't like it, take it up with Fair Go, I'm sure those guys will sort any stupidity out.

If you don't like leaving the power on when you go away why should you?
Agent_24 (57)
1243813 2011-11-17 09:22:00 Make very sure you tell your insurance company that the house will be empty for all that time. decibel (11645)
1243814 2011-11-17 17:51:00 You don't have a freezer then.
And telling the power co you're away isn't an issue, burglars don't usually work for power companies.....
pctek (84)
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