Is anyone here using any smart devices? I was recently contacted by British Gas about smart meter installation. I didnt take them up on their offer due to some technicalities but im sure it’s inevitable as they seem to be pushing these new meters. As an aside I very recently bought a wifi enabled power socket. Anything plugged into the socket can “on demand” be switched on via an app from where you are. Ideal if you have a light plugged in and aren’t going to be home until late yet you want the light on to make it look like someone is home. This can be further expanded by utilising another app called ifttt (aka “if this then that” - basic computing decision logic). Basically you can create an event which will action the smart plug when the action has been met. For example, you can set an action to switch the smart plug on when you are say, 1 mile away from your home (this is determined by your phones hardware and some clever geolocating arithmetic). So when you walk in the house the kettle could have just boiled for you. Now I have used one of these devices i think i will buy a few more smart sockets and a few wifi enabled light switches.
To have a smart meter is not compulsory!! Only the gas companies have an interest for everyone to fit them, for obvious reasons. Besides, smart meters are locked, so one will find it very difficult to change providers as each one of them fits different ones....... As I am not obliged to have one, I will keep with my online account and pay as and when by inputting my meter readings.
Yes I wasn’t concerned to push through with having one tbh and partially for the reasons you mentioned, though I suppose we will all have them eventually.
No, it is crystal clear from this By installing a smartmeter, one gives a blank cheque to the providers to charge at will, and as it was amply shown on the media, it is very difficult to get your money back in case of an "accidental on purpose" c_ock-up
They also link with a device like Google Home or Amazon's Alexa. I have the Google device and can say "OK google, turn the lounge lights off, play some romantic music,..... OK google , is the football on tv?"
Yes they integrate well with the voice controlled speakers apparently. I haven’t got one but Im suspecting I may be getting one for Christmas.
Got a couple of echo dots for the girls with a couple of smart sockets so the theory is will be able to start the kettle from bed in the morning and listen to today without lifting my head from the pillow
Sorry, but it doesn't cut any ice with me..................... One of the greatest pleasures of my mornings is to actually boil the kettle, fill up with hot water my stove top Italian coffe maker, put the required amount of ground coffee in it, put all the bits together and gingerly place it on the slow heat of the stove............ A couple of minutes later it starts percolating and spewing out the best espresso money can buy. I may well be a neanderthal, as far as technology goes, but I know what I like and what I want................... I like things to stay simple
When I am back in the UK for more than a few days, I use a Bialetti Brikka, a decent hand coffee grinder, and try to find some decent strong coffee beans. Takes a bit more time, and practice, but well worth the effort.
I had a British Gas Smart Meter for couple of years until the cheeky so and so's were going to up the price of my gas and electric by quite a large amount. So, now the little meter thing is slung on a shelf somewhere, and I'm with EDF (as recommended by the power company-swapping website). I challenge anyone to use less power than me though.
If its purely smart meter - one where it shows your consumption and history it shouldnt be a problem. I heard in the radio that it will become compulsory to have installed by 2020 (or something). We have one installed early this year and the electric company has mentioned that we dont need to pay anything if we want to switch to a different provider- the new provider will use the same ‘smart meter’ they say. I think its a different story if you have installed ‘hive’ or something similar as it is linked with a service provider.
Not all smart meters are compatible eg... British Gas and EDF. Usual money-wasting screw-up... like the utility companies digging the damned roads up one after the other.
Smart meters do nothing more than make the consumer aware of their fuel consumption, in real time... plus the cost. A useful and sensible tool. The most important fuel-saver is having low heat-loss buildings, with adequate insulation... and everything then (size and type of heating system, efficient controls, etc) should follow from that. Then there are the 'renewables'. Having recently retired after 40 years in the 'energy efficiency' industry, I've hopefully done my bit towards reducing this country's carbon footprint.
I totally agree. I am shocked with the quality of the housing regulation here - why arent it more energy efficient and more green vs Scandinavian countries? Their prices are also very prohibitive- for example double and triple glazing windows.
I did guess right and I was given Alexa from asawa. I have now set up my smart switch to be controlled not only from an app but also voice control via Alexa. I just read this which is suggesting that the smart home isn’t quite as refined as it can be. http://www.techradar.com/news/the-s...-wise-up-if-it-wants-to-go-mainstream-in-2018
