Genesis want to upgrade Power Meter by Vector to smart meter. Benefit or not?

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Genesis want to upgrade Power Meter by Vector to smart meter. Benefit or not?

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#2891736 24-Mar-2022 21:29

freitasm: @gregmcc on what basis you would deny upgrading the meter? What do you gain by denying access?

I put it to Genesis at the time, "I know there is a significant saving in meter reading costs, will this be passed on to me?" the answer was "There will not be any change in you rates"

So why would I give someone else the control at will and for what ever reason to turn my power off when there was no other (at the time) benefit to me? I simply weighed up the pro's and con's.

I'm familiar with the industry, I'm familiar with the Electricity Act and I made an informed decision, so I was, and still am confident that the power retailer cannot simply force a smart meter install, if the old meter was faulty they could force a replacement, keep in mind that the metering companies still install dumb meters on a regular basis.

gregmcc

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#2891744 24-Mar-2022 21:38

k1w1k1d:

We received this email a few days ago in Christchurch.

"We need to replace the electricity meter at your property

Your electricity retailer, Meridian Energy, has identified that the electricity meter at .................... is due to be upgraded.

This is to ensure the meter remains compliant and meets New Zealand electricity regulations. The meter change is scheduled to be completed by a Vector Metering contractor between the 1st of May and the 12th of June 2022.

What you need to know

The current meter will be replaced with a fully certified meter. The meter must be replaced for your property to remain compliant"

Our current meter is an Arcinovations "smart" meter.

I have no problem with this meter change. After all it is theirs.

Might want to clarify "New Zealand electrical regulations", nothing in the Electricity Act, nothing in the Electrical Safety Regulations regarding meter compliance. (That I could see)

you could take their word for it as well, your choice.

rugrat

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#2891755 24-Mar-2022 22:19

They upgraded my meter, it is because 2G is being turned off.

I was at home when they did it, took about 15 minutes and there was no interruption to power which surprised me.

Don’t know if vector metering does the whole country but here is their info on it.

https://vectormetering.com/nz/for-households/modem-upgrade

From link looks like will be able to access 4G network.

Objecting to them doing it seems a silly thing to do to me. There’s no loss to the customer and keeps up with technology.

Edit: And if you get powershouts etc without a smart meter they are not available.

Eva888

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#2891760 24-Mar-2022 22:43

After a very quick search I found the one thing that caused me major concern since my home is Lockwood and wires run through the walls, fire is my biggest fear. That has pretty much made up my mind.

https://spectrum.ieee.org/smart-meter-fire-reports

An older consumer report

https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/smart-meters

scottjpalmer

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#2891785 25-Mar-2022 00:18

Eva888: Thanks for the advice. I wasn’t imagining a conspiracy but curious as to why, as our meter was already smart as far as I know.

This is quite a significant difference to the original post. Sounds a lot like this is a modem upgrade rather than an analog to smart meter transition.

wonderstuff

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#2891788 25-Mar-2022 06:10

Across the various MEPs (Meter Equipment Providers) there’s over 1 million modems that are being upgraded from 2G/3G to Cat-M1 (intended to be used for IOT) which should be active until the late 2030s at least.

Eva888

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#2891836 25-Mar-2022 09:33

I was just talking to a couple in Churton Park this morning and asked if they had a smart meter. They did and worse, informed me that three years ago theirs caught fire. Actually knowing someone this has happened to was an unpleasant surprise. I plan to call the fire service for their thoughts.

@scottjpalmer I am unsure exactly what type of meter mine is I but it was changed/improved a number of years back and I never see a meter reader outside doing readings so assumed it’s some sort of smart. I really can’t say for sure.

As often happens the thread has evolved from a simple question to something more complex. Now, I’m not concerned about any other issue than the risk of fire.

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Linux

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#2891838 25-Mar-2022 09:40

@Eva888 the fire service have better things to do than speak to you about a Smart meter!

It could of caught fire due to poor install or many other reasons!

Nate001

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#2891845 25-Mar-2022 09:47

Far out my head hurts after reading this...

I had to convince our supplier to change to a smart because I was sick of the estimates. At one point they didn't read our meter for 6 months. Yes they gain insights into my power usage, but who cares?

antonknee

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#2891854 25-Mar-2022 10:05

Nate001:

Far out my head hurts after reading this...

I had to convince our supplier to change to a smart because I was sick of the estimates. At one point they didn't read our meter for 6 months. Yes they gain insights into my power usage, but who cares?

Yeah same, I don't understand why some people get their hackles up about a power meter of all things. Seems to be a real "because I can 😤" attitude - but just because you can doesn't mean that you should; cut off your nose to spite your face; can't see the wood for the trees, etc etc.

OP's initial questions are definitely fair to ask given this is not something most people would really have any knowledge/understanding of, it's natural to question these things, and the explanation given in the letter is not exactly super detailed. I can also understand the concern about fire risk, although thankfully it appears this is an incredibly low risk with a similar risk profile to most of the other stuff already in the house.

Eva888

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#2891856 25-Mar-2022 10:12

I rang the Wellington Fire Service and asked the question about smart meters causing fires on the basis of our friends one. I was told that the number of fires from smart meters could be counted on one hand. He said not to worry about this aspect at all.

@Linux He also suggested unprompted that they were happy to come to the house free of charge and check all the smoke alarm placements and advise if we need more and devise an escape plan. They would do this for free and check and add more alarms if needed. I specifically asked him if this is something I could post about and tell others and he replied that they want as many people to know about this free service and to go ahead.

@Nate001 There was never a concern about Genesis gaining insights into power usage. Who cares if they know that I turn on heat pumps or take dozens of showers...obviously since I am a customer they have access to this anyway.

Nate001

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#2891861 25-Mar-2022 10:18

Eva888:@Nate001 There was never a concern about Genesis gaining insights into power usage. Who cares if they know that I turn on heat pumps or take dozens of showers...obviously since I am a customer they have access to this anyway.

Don't worry I don't mean you in this thread. You're asking a genuine question.

rhy7s

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#2891865 25-Mar-2022 10:25

Eva888: After a very quick search I found the one thing that caused me major concern since my home is Lockwood and wires run through the walls, fire is my biggest fear. That has pretty much made up my mind.

https://spectrum.ieee.org/smart-meter-fire-reports

An older consumer report

https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/smart-meters

I don't see anything at the links provided to cause concern? The minuscule numbers of reports quoted aren't verified, and even if they were, wouldn't stand out at all in comparison to other cause of fire and source of ignition statistics.

Linux

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#2891871 25-Mar-2022 10:31

@Eva888 The fire service have put Ads on TV about that service for many many years this is nothing new

Eva888

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#2891877 25-Mar-2022 10:44

Linux:
@Eva888 The fire service have put Ads on TV about that service for many many years this is nothing new

It’s new to me and I imagine for a lot of people. In any case...it’s a good safety reminder and that’s why I’m sharing the information.

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