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Baboon

386 posts

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#201590 25-Aug-2016 18:53
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So I'm thinking this year after the TECT cheque in November, I might move power companies to get a lower monthly bill.

However I find the ones I'm looking at like Flick Electric that was recommended in a Geekzone NZ Broadband thread, require smart meters. And at least in Flick's case - require the customer to already have one. Trustpower's customer support seemed a bit clueless when I asked them about buying one. They had some rough pricing - maybe $180 they said - does that sound right? And no one could tell me if the ones they sold were compatible with Flick. Let alone what the actual models were. All Trustpower said is their smart meters only report back usage daily. But Flick requires every 30mins. Is Trustpower's daily interval only a reflection of their practices, and not of the hardware's capability?

Obviously regardless of power company requirements, I'd quite like to have far more frequent reporting (and an app or web tool to monitor usage) that'll tell me just how expensive XYZ appliance is to run - I reckon that'll help me save even more money.

So I'm coming here to ask you fine folk:

What are the better power deals for a working at home guy running a heat pump?

What's the scoop on smart meters? Reasonable cost? Compatibility? What am I after here? Before today began, I really didn't know much. And that hasn't changed a lot after talking with Trustpower :-D

Any other issues I might want to be aware of in order to get what I need for a better deal?

TIA so very much :-)




"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us."

 

- Calvin and Hobbes (Bill Watterson)

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vexxxboy
4243 posts

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  #1617530 25-Aug-2016 19:01
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Smart Meters still seem to be a novelty to most power companies. When i was with Genesis a few years ago they installed one free of charge because thats how they read the meter, but the last 2-3 power companies i have been with, when told i had a smart meter, said it didnt matter and they would send a meter reader around each month. So now  i have a smart meter installed that is never used.





Common sense is not as common as you think.




Behodar
10501 posts

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  #1617544 25-Aug-2016 19:21
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Energy Online installed a smart meter at my place, then I subsequently changed to TrustPower. I haven't seen them actually read my meter, but I did catch a reader getting back into her car once (parked on the street). Not sure whether she'd actually been to my place or not!


Baboon

386 posts

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  #1617554 25-Aug-2016 19:59
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Somehow certain power companies ignoring useful more efficient tech, does not surprise me *sigh*

Still, I reckon I'll be going with one that _does_ utilise smart meters, unless there really is a cheaper 'dumb' meter using power company.




"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us."

 

- Calvin and Hobbes (Bill Watterson)



Baboon

386 posts

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  #1617588 25-Aug-2016 21:05
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OMG, look what I just ran into during my googling for info: http://www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz/about/ <- what a bunch of nutjobs LOL!




"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us."

 

- Calvin and Hobbes (Bill Watterson)

michaelmurfy
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  #1617594 25-Aug-2016 21:36
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Baboon: OMG, look what I just ran into during my googling for info: http://www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz/about/ <- what a bunch of nutjobs LOL!


Likely made on a laptop, over WiFi with a mobile right beside them.





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Baboon

386 posts

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  #1617614 25-Aug-2016 22:44
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And a mobile phone in their pocket :-D




"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us."

 

- Calvin and Hobbes (Bill Watterson)

Aredwood
3885 posts

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  #1617635 26-Aug-2016 01:08

Vector, Genesis, Mercury, and Vector all have smart meter networks (by my understanding) So try contacting them and ask if they will install one for you. The smart meter owner receives a rental fee from the power company. So they will presumably be happy to install another meter.

 

Mercury install the Elster Grex meter and the others install the EDMI Mk7c Try to get the EDMI meter as it gives more information. And also because of this thread http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=48&topicid=72665

 

I am stuck with a Elster meter on my own house. If there was 3 phase power on my side of the street, I would upgrade partly as it would force a meter replacement.






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