The great team over at British Gas have taken a closer look at smart meters and some of the information surrounding them. With so much information and misinformation surrounding these meters, including whether they are a good idea or not, we think this is really important information to be able to access.
Despite the benefits of smart meters, some businesses are resistant to having one installed. So here we address the top 5 myths about smart meters.
- Smart meters can cause cancer because they emit radiation
No. Smart meters have to pass the same tests as anything else in your house or business, like smartphones and microwaves.
- The data isn’t safe
Smart meters are really safe. The data encryption is the same as is used by banks. SMETS2 meters don’t send data over the internet, it’s a separate, closed network.
- Your smart meter spies on you
Again, no. Smart meter data is purely about use. Your smart meter, and therefore your supplier, don’t know exactly what you’re doing that is using electricity.
- Suppliers can use the data for marketing
They can’t, at least not without your permission. They do have access to your daily electricity use but they can’t pass that on to anyone without your say so.
- Smart meters don’t save you money
While they don’t automatically save you money, they provide helpful data. You can use this to understand your own energy use. Your supplier can offer you a contract tailored to your own requirements.
From 15th March 2019 suppliers will only be allowed to install SMETS2 meters, which are the second generation, more intelligent smart meters that aren’t tied to a particular supplier.
Smart meters are a step forward towards the UK smart grid and they’re free. The existing charges in your electricity bill cover the cost, in the same way as they pay for non-smart meters.
It takes about 60-90 minutes to install a smart meter and you’ll have to switch your electricity off while the engineer installs the meter. But that’s it.
For the full article, please click here.
