Smart Meter

Indeed they can’t. I don’t understand ignorance. It’s sad that at a time when we’re all being encouraged to conserve energy as part of a collective approach to combatting climate change that some don’t take it seriously. ☹️

that's why I said neither for everyone SB appeared to post it was the only reason for having a smart reason, in my view it isn't.

JVB, I find it hard to understand why you are so interested in your neighbours power usage. so much so you've now posted twice about it. They pay so let them get on with it. 

Or start a new thread on whose neighbours use the most electricity? 

Yes I think it would be.

Each to their own Steve, but I've got better things to do with my time than worry or even look at what the freezer is using. 

We too have outside security cameras and lighting, and also a number of programmable celling and wall lights around the house which are on while we're away but I think they are worth every penny and infinitely cheaper than a break in. 

We also have lights in that come on automatically, on timers or controlled by Alexa. We had the old Sangamo timers when we first started caravanning as each realised the house was in darkness when we went away. I just say “Alexa goodnight” and all the lights go off, or are timed to go off at midnight. All our lights are LED so low consumption.

Timers are a bit old skool now, there was a thread on here somewhere about smart controls for central heating and hot water (Hive). They also allow programmable and remote control of alarms, lighting and camera systems etc. Personally I use ‘Wiser’ (Drayton), but they’re all much of a muchness. You can also extend that capability to the van via Truma iNet.

Yes and that's a good point, most household lights are low wattage, even my outside lights are under 15W, and trying to base how much a neighbour's electricity bill is just by how many lights are on is not going to give anything meaningful.

Once at work, a few years ago now, I worked out that if I had all my lights on at the same time it would cost less than 14p an hour. 

In a nutshell……

No, you don’t really need one, but helpful if you can’t be bothered to read your own meters, they aren’t very accessible, or need help analysing how much your daily living costs.

It would replace your existing meter, so same location unless this isn’t suitable or you ask for it to be relocated. The little display unit can be plugged in anywhere there’s a socket.

How easy to fit depends on location of existing meter, is there any lead or asbestos in the area and how much rammle  and clutter you have in the immediate vicinity.

It will give you accurate monthly readings, providing everything works ok. It may take a while for your bills to stabilise if you are moving from quarterly monitoring. But ultimately it’s simple. You still pay for what you use. Only changing behaviour, understanding light use and heavy use appliances, using and buying more energy efficient appliances can influence the monthly bills. 

For somebody who isn’t at all interested in their electricity use, that does seem an odd thing to be doing. 🤔

Not odd at all. I did say at work SB, it was in a maths class and it was about working out Kw hours and bills. To make it more relevant (always a good idea) I had a worksheet prepared where they listed the number of lights in their house (and where they were), their wattage if known, or used an 'average' figure and then worked out from there their total wattage, made it into Kw, and then the total cost for one hour based on the cost at the time. We also then used the VAT rate as well. I did it for myself as an example.

We then went on to details of kitchen appliances, something like a washing machine, tumble dryers... and do the same thing. I recall some kid did the same with his dad's welding equipment.

You seem to be interested as you have quoted a scenario of your own