Smart Metering Trial

Young Thomas ..... All done......I think!

 I've just returned from the Cherry Hinton Cambridge site and, because i had my aircon running, got asked by one of the staff if I'd be prepared to pay more for using it.  Seemed like a random question at the time but presumably this links in with them potentially rolling out smart metering. They said it was for a survey they were undertaking at the site.

If on average, a van/MoHo uses 3-4 kw per day for just the fridge, add to that the lighting, battery charging, heating, cooking, cooling & hot water, then the site fee (reduced) + electrics is undoubtably going to be more than the current site fee.  On the lowest reduction of £1 / day they're giving, just the fridge alone costs around £1.60 a day to run. So in peak season you'll end up getting a site fee reduction of £1 and end up paying a lot more than that in additional electric charges.

What next, water meters and waste charges ?

For the first time ever, I have stayed on a CL with metered electric to each pitch. Pound coins! I was horrified at the cost of the electricity. For £5 a day, we had the water heater on, the fridge and cooked on an electric hot plate for no more than 20 mins a day.  More than I pay at home when I use washing machine, dishwasher, tumble dryer, freezer and an iron.

I welcome meters, but the savings may not be as much as we think!

How much was the rate per kWh?  Some CLs will be paying a much higher rate than the domestic one.

We used one where it was 30p per kWh,  we used £5 in total.    We stayed 2 nights.

We ran the fridge on electricity, that uses 4 kWH per 24 hours, plus kettle and toaster for breakfasts, microwave once for 20 minutes, electric grill plate once for 30 minutes, and small electric oven once for 35 minutes.

Water we heated only when needed, and used gas as it is faster, plus cheaper as we have refillables.

Update.Finished my two days at Wyatts Covert, I had already completed the form and added £10.00 credit.

On arriving after you have selected pitch, connect hook up lead first, the select “Site” from drop down menu, then select group of bollards from dropdown menu, 45,46,47then select pitch number in my case it  was 47, then select start.

On leaving site, you must remember to end you session by selecting “Refund” This is what you have left. In my case it was £5:20

So I had used £4:80 over two days, this was for low wattage kettle, water heating, fridge, tv but run off 12v.

My pitch fees were £49.10 + £4.80 making £53.90 for 2 nights.This is just for 1 adult. The £1.00 per night was already taken off.

Initial impressions are, filling the form in before hand saves stress and time.

They is a laptop available on site if you need it.

The £1.00 pn site deduction looks way off,and people without phones and being tech savvy may struggle.

Fozzie -  Thanks for posting info.  This system is not for me but will check later in the year to see what system  will be used at the next trial site.

"to see what system will be used at the next trial site."

Looking at the clubs smart metering page, I can't see anything to suggest that the second trial (at Ashridge Farm towards the end 2023) will use a system different to the one at Wyatts Covert.

Of course, it doesn't say it wont either, so we will have to wait and see...

however, i can't see the club lining up two suppliers and running two totally different systems and then let the members decide which one suits them best...

I imagine the potential 'partner systems' will have started in a 'long list' then quickly whittled down to a 'short list' and may only end up with one in the frame.

again, it's a trial so we will have wait....

will the club give the results of trial 1 before embarking on trial 2?

either way, those who suggest 'the system is not for them' might be struggling going forward if they want to continue with club sites post implementation.

if you don't want to use the system then you'll need to find a way to manage 'off grid' on club sites....or, as the mantra goes, look elsewhere.🤷🏻‍♂️

I have been to Wyatts and used the Smart Metering trial. I can see that this may result in savings as I used my gas for heating rather than the electricity.

My concern is how the Club would carry out a roll out. If we use an external provider we are locking ourselves into one supplier for the duration of the use of smart metering because they would own the hardware, software and cloud service and restrict its use by third parties. This means it will be very difficult to negotiate reasonable prices going forwawrd.

The alternative is to roll out our own solution with the upfront costs.

Maybe an alternative is to buy a small company that is becoming established in this area and build on that skills base.

I think for the Club, the same as with WiFi, it is easier and less risky to get outside contractors to provide metering services. The company used is also used by other, non Club, campsites. So clearly they have some experience. Did you think the price of electricity was reasonable, say compared to what you pay at home? To me that would be the acid test. If I am paying a similar price to what I pay at home, allowing a bit for a service/standing charge element  I would think that reasonable. 

David

We are nearly at the end of 2023 so is there any sign of metering being put in at Ashridge Farm yet? Can the OP give us an update?

peedee