Stop Smart Meters - Problem - Overcharging - Rip Off - Unwanted, RFI QRM. Refuse, Radiation, Transmitter

Comments

Tina, Mon, 24 May 2010 06:39 pm: Reply

Smart meters are a health risk and are banned in other parts of the world for this reason and certainly wont decrease my already very careful monitored usage. How can anyone be forced to have something like this forced upon thier homes and be charged for it. What is this government coming to? As of 23/5/2010 the government have put a ban on this plan, so why are companies still sending letters to install them.I do not want a smart meter installed in my house.

barbara durham, Wed, 23 Jun 2010 06:47 pm: Reply

I am semi-retired and I am home during the day more than most people. I am concerned that when I use my central heater in winter/evaporative air cooler in summer, that my bill will be higher chaged at peak rates.

Is there any way I can aviod having a smart meter which, I'm told is not very smart

Barbara

Richard Leschen, Fri, 05 Aug 2011 05:18 pm:

Dear Barbara.
I told my top Lawyers that I am going to lock my Electricity Meter Box and padlock it which I have now done, and said that under no circumstances was a Smart Meter to be fitted to my property. They said the following. "Richard you do not have to have a Smart Meter installed at your property if you don't want to." I came back with "It's still supposed to be a free Country as in England, with the 3 freedoms of .....speech, thought and worship. They agreed and said to make sure I kept it locked. I have arranged with my electricity supplier to get Powercor to do the polite thing and phone me on the day the meter is to be read. I sent a letter to the C.E.O of Powercor and stated....." If I find that you or any of your meter installers have damaged my meter box and installed a Smart Meter on my property and against my will and better judgement I will join a class action to sue.
I sent the letter off by registerd post and have had no more stupid phone calls from the C.E.O. or his Customer Service Officer.
Stand up to these BULLIES. Then you will win, but lock up your Meter Box or their Sneaky Electric Meter Installer men will very likely put a Smart Meter in your Meter Box after taking out your trusty and perfectly safe older Analog Meter.
These Sneaky fellows will do it whilst one is out shopping or away for any reason. In England, my old Country one has to seek permission of the home owner to first enter the home of the owner to read any Electric Meter/s

Cheers,
Richard Leschen, Ararat Victoria Australia.

scott b, Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:23 am: Reply

Like many low income earners and pensioners i now agree that we will all lose out if we allow these rort meters to be fitted, unless the energy retailers come to the party with great tarriffs for everyone of course they are ripping everyone who uses power off cutting their costs as these meters are remotely read which lowers the cost to them as they do not employ meter reading staff tariffs are not clear or transparent for the consumer, people can not even get DPI department of infrastructure to give all details on fees tariffs etc how are they enviromentally friendly as they consume power all the time people travelling to install them create greenhouse emissions and even recycling them uses energy so in effect we will pay a great deal more no benifit to us the consumer greenhouse emissions all the time as they use power that we'll pay for just to meter usage etc unless good peak and off peak tariffs are mandated and locked in for the long haul/term consumers bend over and take it up the arse as per usual. Please if anyone can advise me and or the general public on legal avenues to halt these installations i would greatly appreciate it scottlisaberg@optusnet.com.au in conclusion how can this scheme/scam benifit the victorian population or australia wide when the energy companies better their bottom line/profit we pay higher tarriffs and bigger bills when most are living week to week and can not afford the increases that we know will be imposed on us all
LETS ALL GET TOGETHER LIKE WE DID AGAINST THE BANKS WHO SUCKED US IN TO FREE ELECTRONIC BANKING AND THEN CHARGED LIKE WOUNDED BULLS FOR TWO DECADES THE PUBLIC VOTED WITH THEIR FEET AND MONEY AND FINALLY THE BANKS WITHDREW MOST OF THESE EXORBITANT FEES DUE TO CONSISTANT PRESSURE AND DON'T FORGET MR BRUMBY/DONKEY AS VICTORIANS WE SEE THAT YOUR LABOUR GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED US AGAIN TELL THEM AT THE NEXT STATE ELECTION TO GO TO BUGGERY AND LISTEN TO THE CONSTITUENTS YOU REPRESENT BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T BYE BYE AT THE NEXT ELECTION IN HINDSIGHT IF WE ALL PAY MORE FOR OUR POWER THEN IT REALLY IS A TYPE OF TAX GRAB BY STEALTH AND LABOUR ALWAYS TAX JUST LOOK AT FEDERAL LABOUR NO CONSULTATION ON ALCOPOPS TAX 2 TOBACCO INCREASES ONE PUBLIC AND ONE TWO WEEKS LATER ALSO BY STEALTH JUST ASK YOUR LOCAL SHOP/KEEPER AND THEY TRIED IT ON THE MINING INDUSTRY AND SUNK THE PM SEE PEOPLE WE CAN DO A ALOT IF WE ALL STAND TOGETHER

Joseph Sleigh, Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:33 pm: Reply

You all miss the point - gas and electricity should be free for everyone. They have the technology to make it free but they don't want anyone to know.

Charlotte Wilson, Tue, 07 Jun 2011 05:25 am:

Yes, you are right; "We" have the tech and the DOE is trying everything short of murder to stop you from having it. Go to www.zeroamptech.com Read it all but especially the most recent articles on "Articles and Opinions" and "Inventor Suppression" sections. Sent us your email we will let you know how we will be bringing virgin power to neighborhoods...soon.

Adam Green, Tue, 14 Jun 2011 07:01 pm:

Peter Sumaruck and amptech is a scam and charlotte is apart of the scam.

Richard Leschen, Sat, 14 Jan 2012 08:21 pm:

Just before that genius Nikola Tesla died he had the machines to draw electricity from the air all around us, where electricity resides naturally, see storms and lightnig. Now look on the Internet to see the S.E.G Machines invented and working. These are Electricity Machines designed and built by the English Professor John Searl. See also the Lutec Generator designed and built by Mr John Christie another genius. We had the means to get rid of dopy Hydrocarbon Fuels with Nikola Tesla a hundred years ago. Sadly the Patent Office in New York has grabbed all the Tesla Inventions bar one ( the three phase electric motor and locked them up stock and barrel ). Today we have these two geniuses of men Searl and John Christie who are desperatelyh trying to get these Electricity generating machines on the world's markets but it ia still an up-hill battle against the Corrupt Powers of evil entrenched Corporate Greedy Bankers and equally Corrupt Businesses.

Why do we still have dopey Hydrocarbon Fuels? Simply because the Business men and the Governments of this world want to keep you all enslaved to the Status Quo and profiteering by ripping more and more money from your pockets.

For thousands of years Sailor propelled their ships and boats with the power of the wind or by using oars as in the Roman Galleys.
It was only around the time of Queen Victoria that coal was mined in large quantities to power the steam powered engines and their steam boilers and turn the wheels of large locomotives and power huge steam boilers. Later came the discovery of crude oil in America and then Arabia etc. It was P.J Morgan who first financed Tesla and his marvelous discovery of Alternating Electrical Current, but when P.J. Morgan this evil corrupt banker realised that Nikola Tesla wanted to actually GIVE FREE electrical power to the People he cut off all funding to Tesla. This world seems to revolve around the making of money above all else. What a curse this has now become, with Electricity prices going through the roof every year. Of course Jeffrey Kennett " Was the fly in the ointment," when he stupidly sold the SEC or State Electricity Plants to overseas interests and now we the People have been getting SCREWED ever since.

Richard Leschen.

David Bowen, Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:30 am: Reply

I did my part for the environment and also thought that I could save some money as well, and chose to install some solar panels but then received my new smart meter which straight away cut off my off peak charges so my monthly bill has gone from around $200.00 to $600.00 oh plus the $176.00 that I have been charged to have the smart meter installed so this month I have around a $800.00 bill to pay. I am currently trying to dispute this bill with the ombudsman, but feel that I probably only have 2 options left 1 get a second job to pay the power bill or 2 take out another loan and get rid of the electric hot water and electric floor heating . oh and all those benefits that the smart meter can do for you is not being used as yet, as advised by my power company "it is a big project that will take a few years to complete" so basically you are told to just keep paying the new ridiculous power fees as it is all now charged at a peak rate and even with the smart meter installed they still have to come to your door to read the meter and do "actual" and "estimated" power readings. If anyone out there gets a call from there power company advising that they are scheduled to have a new meter installed I would suggest that you say that you are busy on that day and ask them to reschedule and put you at the bottom of the list.
Although solar energy installation was not the cause of the problem it also makes a smart meter appear at your door so hope you have a good wage as most of your money will now go to paying power bills

Penny Thompson, Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:24 pm:

David, I have been going through the same thing. I installed a SolarShop 1.68kw system in July 2009. Powercor lost the hand delivered paperwork(SS also sent the paperwork to them) and they did not install a new meter until November of that year. A bi- directional meter, which I found easy to read and I could see how much I was using, exporting, etc. I was quite happy.
My first bill arrived and it was over $800.00, I was very shocked, but paid up, vowing to look into it. Next bill, near $600.00. Astronomical. I called the ombudsman, I was with TRU Energy, complex bills, unhelpful service etc. I called Energy Watch and switched to Energy Australia. No bill for a long time. I was exhausted by this time and very confused, so let it go for a while, still happy with the bidirectional, and feeling like I was exporting a good amount of energy.
I got home one day to find a Powercor truck in my yard, leaving. I asked what' up. "We just installed a new meter". I said, "Don't I have a new meter?"
"No. This is a smart meter."
From then, my export capacity, in fact my generation capacity dropped to almost zero. I could barely understand the digital "readings" they all looked like so many useless numbers, easily manipulated.
Finally, a bill arrived after 9 months, for $1300.00 giving me a fortnight to pay. I got back onto the ombudsman, and EE and demanded a halt to the bill while I made enquiries. I was then informed by the call centre woman that I had the equivalent time period to pay in. Two weeks later, another bill for $300.00. 1 week to pay.
You can imagine my cortisol levels. This has been absolute hell. I am now shifting to RED, but to be honest, I don't think it will make a jot of difference.
I had Powercor send out someone to "test" the meter. What a joke, loaded dice really.
Coincidentally, he also had solar panels, and suggested they had undergone some kind of voltage variation. I have tracked back, and I believe the vv was a result of the Powercor Smart Meter install. So I am back with the ombudsman again.
About as much use as teats on a bull to be blunt.
I just received my final bill from EE.They are trying to say that I used 3,349kWh in less than 2 months.
This debacle is so stressfull and heartbreaking. I really want to start a Class Action and get all Solar customers who have experienced this to fight this utter rort. it is not good enough. You buy the panels, in good faith, believing you are doing your bit environmentally and might save some money on bills, and this robbery and lies happens. Just absolutely OVER IT.
Anyone who wants to start a community based movement to fight against this blatant rorting can contact me at
cormeyer1@hotmail.com
We need to get this made big and all over the media.

NS: My kids are suffering now!, Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:43 am: Reply

I'm a single mum of two (working full time). I have had my smart meter installed (not by choice) for a few months now. My bills were averaging in winter around $100 a month and have now gone up to $200 plus and I am using the same amount of energy as I have been. I rang my electricity company and they said they just take estimates and on the next bill they will amend my bill if I have been over charged. Well I got my next bill and it was still over $200 no amendments made. I'm at a loss of what to do. I am struggling to now find the extra cash to pay for the bills. I have become very stressed because of this and I have to now try and use less energy. I rug up my two little girls in heavier clothing and blankets at home to keep them warm to avoid paying higher bills. I will put the heater on for 30 mins now then switch it off. We are all still freezing. I now also lie in bed with my girls until they fall asleep to keep them warm with my body heat. I feel like a hopeless mother now because I can't afford the bills and it's like I'm living in a third world country. What has this country become!!!!! Don't we pay enough in taxes and petrol.

Davo, Thu, 07 Apr 2011 08:14 pm:

unfortunatly ns we can ramp and rave about the smart meters till we are blue in the face, fact is gst is here to stay and so are smart meters. We are only buying time buy sending them away, i have 3 teenagers who have no idea what it cost to use electricity. the only way you can stay ahead is work out your highest bill and divide it buy 12weeks a put that amount away each week the you are not hit with a massive bill which you have so little time to pay it good luck.

Andy W, Sat, 11 Sep 2010 09:41 pm: Reply

If they were any more greedy , they would start a revolution and murder people for their money .

Pamela M, Tue, 12 Oct 2010 03:12 pm: Reply

I have 2 properties at the same address, one with solar HWS and power back into the grid and the other just power with an old type meter.
I am being charged over 5 cents per kwh more for the metered power with solar support than the other old meter. The supplier TRU Energy states that the meter owners do not have any regulations applied to them for charges on the smart meters and whoever it is who owns the meters charges higher rates for the smart meter and solar power.
What a rip off!!!

Adrian W, Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:13 pm: Reply

Don't forget the electricity companies are saving money by not employing people to manually check the meters any more

Georgia P, Mon, 17 Jan 2011 09:19 am: Reply

I just had someone show up with a smart meter installation. I told him I don't want it and guess what? He said it was ok and left. I'm over the moon! I've heard about them and how bills are tripling in cost and I didn't want it.

Roz in Texas, Thu, 17 Feb 2011 11:42 am: Reply

I have a fixed rate of 0.780 per/kw, live in a 3000sf hm with only my husband and myself who both work the early part of the day. When we are home, we have one television going, one laptop PC and the refrigerator. Occasional use of the washer/dryer (both top of the line High Efficiency), energy efficient everything else. I had an Energy Efficiency Audit on New Years Day, and the gentleman only recommended a blanket around the water heater and possibly adding an attic shield (uh, huh) around the attic door. We have high grade thermostats and ceiling fans. My very first bill was $350. I opened my bill today and its over $400 and I cannot imagine why! I called the utility company to ask them when was the last time they tested the dang smart meter, and their response was that they could send someone out but would charge me $30 if there's nothing wrong. I read some of the posts here and I'm trying to understand this whole thing - are the meters consuming electricity from my home in order to operate?

Move on would ya, Fri, 18 Feb 2011 09:08 pm: Reply

All of you. Get Over It!!!! smart meters are far more accurate than dial meters. Move on and use the technology

Mick, Thu, 14 Apr 2011 01:06 pm:

idiot!! do you work for the power company

Matt, Fri, 20 May 2011 07:20 pm:

Fuck you!

John, Thu, 02 Jun 2011 01:35 pm:

A good example of why Gov't and the power companys get away with watever they want. Open your eyes and take a look at what is going on!

Mick, Sat, 04 Jun 2011 03:21 pm:

Its happening here in Australia,,everyone who gets a smart meter with their solar are paying the same if not more then when had an old dial meter spinning disc without solar,,,and John,,you need to get educated and research before you start criticising others mate.

Mick, Sat, 04 Jun 2011 03:23 pm:

Sorry John,,I meant Matt.

Skyler, Mon, 25 Jul 2011 03:25 pm:

Move on, I think you are definitely left in the dark. It's one thing to have technology and sit alongside technological advancement but not at the cost of the general public. Bills are higher, more green emissions are being spit into the Earth and keep in mind, the government consistently says they want to minimise greenhouse emissions, and many people, myself included, keep getting power outages. Just 20 minutes ago, all the power in my house turned off and then just magically turned back on as I was looking at this site on my laptop. What is currently happening with this government is shameful and horrible that the government does what they want and not what the people want. In my mind, the government is at a lost to democracy and is becoming more and more of an absolute monarchy if you ask me.

corbo, Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:30 pm:

i seen some idiots but yu take the cake ..im in the industry an they are a rippppppppp offffff dont take it standing up people get a class action going an im in

Nikki, Sat, 17 Sep 2011 03:40 pm:

My power bill was double after they installed my new smart meter. My home was vacant with only three lights on a timer. The power company came out and tested my meter and said it was programed with the wrong multiplier (x2) They installed a new meter and now the bill is normal. So FUCK YOU-I HOPE YOU DIE

????, Thu, 29 Sep 2011 03:57 pm:

In Victoria, Australia the new smart meters arnt installed on solar instalations yet, What you have is a normal digital meter. Also the rate you are charged for KW usage after you go to solar is higher than it was before (check your old bills). Something your not told by the companys installing them or the retailers.

deanna munson, Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:11 pm:

im SICK.i can barely function!!my son is having nose bleeds and vomiting every morning!missles are accurate too,dumbass,it doesnt mean we need one strapped to our bedroom walls

MICHAEL, Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:54 pm:

your right mate people are dumb would people jump up and down if it were a digial water meter.

michael, Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:58 pm:

and also everone they are not your fucken meters they are powercor's not yours so get over it ,

ben, Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:45 pm:

I agree "move on would ya" unfortunately there are people out there that think the earth is still flat. having a smart meter installed gives you the advantage of reducing your consumption during peak times and rewarding you with cheaper rates during off peak and shoulder times.

think people, Thu, 24 Feb 2011 06:43 pm: Reply

dont think anyone understands the taxes on miners now.....if it costs more to mine it costs more to produce. and you pay more to use it. So power industries are forced to cut costs. hence the smart meter(no meter readers) if they(The Government) save money we all do.... understand

oh and if anybody had a brain. would know that the meter runs of the supply side, and not the load side. so your not getting charged for its use. They cant just disconnect power, they give weeks warning of any disconnection or you lose all your food.

In my books they have saved more lives than they have injured people from this roll out of meters no one has died but they have found 3500 unsafe homes and businesses. Oh dodgy installers out of 460.000 meters on the wall one installer has stuffed up. THATS PRETTY F#!^IN GOOD...

You must all be perfect............................................

Curious, Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:15 pm:

I'd like to know where you gained your statistics from please.
Do you believe everything you read?

Luke, Sat, 26 Feb 2011 08:18 pm: Reply

Well if you like them 'Move on' and 'think people' get one, that's cool, it's your choice! WHERE'S MY F#!^IN CHOICE...!?

Maureen, Sat, 05 Mar 2011 10:16 am: Reply

got the Smart Meter letter yesterday, live out bush past Ballarat, and was told by DPI that it is Govt law now to get them installed!!! Powercor say they are ONLY RESPONSIBLE for the meter and the poles, and it is my electricity supplier who decides the charges for usage!! Have heard so many stories re these meters, NONE GOOD. Did ask if my house burned down after the meter was installed who would be responsible, the smart meter installer, or the electrical suppliers, NO ANSWER TO THIS. Does anyone know if I refuse to have it installed, will I just receive my normal billing from my supplier, or can they do as they threaten, and cut me off??

Oblivion, Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:26 pm:

Just in response to the following;

"Does anyone know if I refuse to have it installed, will I just receive my normal billing from my supplier, or can they do as they threaten, and cut me off?? "

You can get letters of demands I'm pretty sure 2 or 3 letters of demand before they disconnect from the Pole at the Street or from your underground connection from the street. Cheers.

Jeff, Tue, 15 Mar 2011 05:53 pm: Reply

Update certificate of electrical safety does not need to be provided by installer and you cannot get one even if you ask

Trevor, Thu, 17 Mar 2011 05:22 pm: Reply

Just received a letter from united energy does any one no if I can stop this as I do not want it. I have been told that a company called 'service stream'will install the meter

Monika, Fri, 18 Mar 2011 04:26 am: Reply

PG&E installed a smart meter during our absence. Is there anything we can do to have it removed?

carmel, Sat, 19 Mar 2011 11:59 am: Reply

had the same letter from powercor and when i called they advised there was nothing they could do as they will be installed in all victorian homes. all that they advised is put a sign on your meter to say no and if your home when they come then tell them they can't do it that day.

ian drinkwater, Sat, 19 Mar 2011 08:03 pm: Reply

will those who make comment, please state which suburb they live in .. if your bill is more, tell me how much and how many kWh you have used before and after installation.
If there is a cost increase .. is it on the electricty or the service charge ?
Remember for ordinary home use, there is no peak and off peak.
If you allow them to be fitted, make sure that they show you their licence that they are a qualified electrian or linesman, and that their licence has not expired.
I live in Bentleigh, I have had letters but no one has come to instal yet !!

Bugger Off Smart Meters, Sun, 20 Mar 2011 07:33 am: Reply

When I got home after work on Friday, my meter box door was wide open, my missus said someone came over to change it and she told them that I did not want the meter installed and they said "OK, but we would have to have it installed eventually as Victorian govt. says we have to"
And these guys are supposed to be qualified? If they can't even do something as simply as close the door, what chance have we got of a proper, safe installation of these useless meters.
If it ain't broken, don't fix it!
I've already got a small piece of glass and I'm going to cut a viewing hole in the door (so they can read the meter) and the I am going to lock up my meter box so they can't change it.
I am in the Dandenong area.

Simon, Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:43 am: Reply

The meters may belong to the supplier but the fuse box itself belongs to the homeowner. As the antenna is required to be mounted to the fuse box, doesn't the homeowner have the right of refusal?

electrician, Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:37 pm: Reply

certificates of electrical safety do not have to be supplied by distributors/retailers, only licensed electricians and registered electrical contractors

Jennifer, Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:54 am:

Absolutely correct I found that out myself!! And further to that check your insurance policy for your home insurance if it is installed incorrectly and something goes wrong you will need to provide evidence that a fully qualified electrician did the job!!! At the end of the day we have to make a stand and look after ourselves cause noone else is going to do it!!!

Jan, Sun, 10 Apr 2011 08:49 pm: Reply

Just received my bill since the smart meter was installed. My usage has doubled compared to same period last year! The only differnce this period - I was os for 2 weeks and only used the aircon on 3 occassions due the summer we did not have! I am in Box Hill Vic. One would have expected the usage to have decreased, not increased by 100% Go figure that! Looking forward to call Origin in the morning! What a bloody joke!

Tony, Sat, 07 May 2011 05:57 pm: Reply

We had smart electricity meters installed at my home in Newcastle NSW a few years ago without being asked or even told it was happening. And my latest bill is the highest ever. But the worst thing about it is that our bills (since the smart meters were installed) only show the supposed amount of energy used. There are no before and after meter readings shown. So basically I have no way of verifying whether the figures are correct or not! Ridiculous! These meters (or Energy Australia) are not 'smart', they're 'dumb'!

Mick, Sat, 04 Jun 2011 03:28 pm:

They, the power comapanies can only send you an estimate to your energy bill if they cant get to the meter to read it due to obstruction caused by you,,thats the criteria as set down by Powercor, have a look at the pdf file on thier website to verify.

Ad, Sun, 15 May 2011 08:50 am: Reply

Can someone please clarify... the very first post on this stages "As of 23/5/2010 the government have put a ban on this plan, so why are companies still sending letters to install them.I do not want a smart meter installed in my house."

Is this true? Is there a source on this? Are we able to stop this from being rolled out?

Mick, Sat, 04 Jun 2011 03:32 pm:

You have the right to refuse having the Rort meter fitted, just place a sighn on the meter to show that you decline. I printed the picture at the top of this page to a 6*8 Photo and taped to the meter, great Idea,,,we all need to do this,,just save the picture as picture to your desktop and then print it off to what ever size you need, happy hunting.

Renrohkram, Thu, 19 May 2011 08:38 pm: Reply

Be diligent keep asking questions keep searching forums make a noise we the people will make them be honest and clarify what we are paying for, the numbers are too high so there is corruption Beware SPAustnet we are coming
0458001270

ron, Fri, 20 May 2011 08:20 pm: Reply

What happens when you turn off AT THE MAINS for a few hours does the company not get any info from our property and think the meter is faulty.

would a power turnoff at switch effect off peak meter reading

Josh, Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:44 am:

Nope the meter is before your switch, therefore, even with the main switch open it still functions. Plus the Meter has a battery designed to last 15 years, so the clocks will not be effected during a power outage.

Steven, Sat, 21 May 2011 05:34 pm: Reply

It is interesting to read all those contribution and most are just rants and rants without real substance. Many of you have asked good questions needing real answers but no body is coming forward to tell you;
If it is true,"As of 23/5/2010 the government have put a ban on this plan, so why are companies still sending letters to install them.I do not want a smart meter installed in my house."
how come it is so difficult for any of our 'smart citizens' to inform us 'is it legal to refuse instalation???
Come on people do something positive, write letter to the premier of Victoria and aske those simple questions or get all out in front of the Parlement and raise your voice against Dambing of Australia by Smart metres.

Susan, Tue, 24 May 2011 03:58 pm: Reply

I'm in Qld. Had solar panels installed in late 2009, expecting the bill to drop in line with power being uploaded to the grid. Went into credit within weeks due to meter spinning backwards. Ergon came in early 2010 and installed a smart meter, my bills went right back up to what they were previously. Ergon is doing a snow job, and the ombudsman is no help. Have no choice about smart meters, they are here to stay, being rolled out everywhere.

Graham Cooper, Wed, 25 May 2011 12:19 pm: Reply

The fact that they will charge different tariffs at different times is alarming and the fact that the consumer will pay for these meters for many years to come is outragous, instead of a once off payment to pay for them.
Say NO!

Valerie, Tue, 31 May 2011 08:19 pm:

Just wanted to know if anyone knows if they affect people with pacemakers? Personally my husband & I dont want one anyway & I think everyone should have a right to choose if they want one or not. My husband has a pacemaker & also suffers with tinnitus I think the noise alone would be a problem plus the fact the meter box is on the other side of our bedroom wall which our heads are against.

Mick, Fri, 03 Jun 2011 08:17 pm: Reply

We have the right to refuse the fitment of RORT (smart meters), People,,,Please, excercise your Rights!!The Victorian Government have stopped the rollout of Smart meters a while ago, for those of us who dont have them yet,,,Dont let them pressure you into having them fitted,,,I will not let it happen and neither should you!!

Rant, Sat, 04 Jun 2011 09:25 am: Reply

I have heard that alot of people in my suburb have been knocking the installation back successfully. I simply told the installer 'we do not want it' and he said OK and left. Other people have been putting an a4 notice on their meter box stating that they do not want them. Some installers are talking people into having them by saying that they will be forced to pay for installation in future. I would like to know what the ramifications (if any) of knocking it back will be.....

Mick, Sat, 04 Jun 2011 03:40 pm: Reply

THE SMART OR RORT METERS AS THEY HAVE COME TO BE KNOWN ARE JACKING UP THE RATES DURING PEAK TIMES WHEN USAGE IS MOST HEAVIEST THEN REVERT BACK TO STANDARD RATES AFTER THE PEAK TIMES HAVE ENDED,,,,MUCH LIKE PETROL STATIONS SELLING FUEL AT A HIGHER RATE ON PAYDAYS TILL THE PUBLIC BECAME WISE TO THIER SCAMS AND NOW THEY CHANGE DAYS TO FOOL THE GENERAL PUBLIC,,,DONT BANKS DO THAT TOO,,,JACK UP THE INTEREST RATES IF THE BEAN COUNTERS PROJECTION OF THE ECONOMY IS STARTING TO GET DIM SO THEY COVER THIER OWN ARSES!! WE ARE BEING RIPPED OFF AT ALL FRONTS,,TIME TO FIGHT BACK EVERYONE!

kae, Mon, 06 Jun 2011 11:05 am: Reply

i would also like to know the ramifications of refusal as i have read under commonwealth law, the fair trading act 1999 in victoria we can legally refuse, also why would you pay for installation in rental propoerty

john, Mon, 06 Jun 2011 01:41 pm: Reply

i had a new smart meter connected while i was overseas without my consent. when i returned home, i now have a for the first time in 20 years a bill that has writen on it that it is only an estimate . WHY?????? meter box is still in same location can i request that this piece of trash be removed ????

Josh, Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:59 am:

That would be because the system had not gone live yet. so the meter is acting exactly the same as your old one. All it can do is measure power usage.

Charlotte Wilson, Tue, 07 Jun 2011 05:39 am: Reply

Yes, you are right; "We" have the tech (free electricity/no batteries/no pollution and the DOE is trying everything short of murder to stop you from having it. Go to www.zeroamptech.com Read it all but especially the most recent articles on "Articles and Opinions" and "Inventor Suppression" sections. We want to make every residence have the same modest bill (every home the same) for life, no rate increases. This will not matter if you are a regulated or deregulated state, and will not be subject to PUC regulations because there will be only 2 little doorbell size milliamp wires going into your home - low to "0" amperage. That is why it is called zero-amp technology. At the moment this will be for individuals homes...later, we will develop the infrastructure for apartments. This means no meters...ever.

Dean, Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:50 am: Reply

How do we organize mass protests (Aussies) like they have in France when something so fraudulent is been forced upon the general population? Are we too tired from all the other Taxes and charges we have no energy left to fight back? Bye bye Julia

Penny Thompson, Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:38 pm:

Dean
We organise protests by sharing our views, ideas and experiences together, getting really pissed off together and the doing something together. scroll up screen and look for my other post in reply to David. I want to get a genuine protest movement going. It is already developing in this state, a woman in Horsham near where I live is doing a great job.
People need to do this. We are being rorted from every angle like you say, and if we let them keep rolling us, they will and we will all struggle on desperately, forking out heaps just to keep warm. This is not a joke. Things are getting rudiculous here people.
Contact me at

cormeyer1@hotmail.com

We can generate a real protest movement, get organised and tell these thieving Fabians of all political factions where to get off.
People have the Power.

David of Brighton, Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:56 am: Reply

I have a sign that says "FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY REASONS YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CUT THE POWER WITHOUT A PERMIT FROM THE OCCUPIER. THERE IS A $100 ADMIN FEE FOR THIS PAYABLE IN CASH. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL INCUR PENALTY CHARGES, AS VITAL MEDICAL EQUIPMENT MAY BE OPERATING AT THE TIME"

ken, Thu, 09 Jun 2011 06:26 pm: Reply

I am an electrician and I am trying find out how these smart meters put energy back into the grid when current can only flow in one direction,
and being a seperate source does these smart boxes have mechanical and electrical interlocks to stop energy going into the system when the lines are being worked on
Also does the smart box have syncronization to couple to another source?

Josh, Wed, 24 Aug 2011 04:43 pm:

Well, I don't know how you got to become an electrician! The meter measure current, all the meter has is Bus Bars through the meter and a disconnect switch. therefore when the switch is closed the current will flow either way depending on power usage/generation. Please do just a little research. And on the other point mechanical meters do not have interlocks also, when works are being done on lines they isolate the section only.

stan, Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:02 pm:

My thoughts exactly. For a souce of AC power to be connected in parallel it must be in phase with the mains frequency and as you say feeding into a line being worked on and thought to be isolated would appear to be a problem

Kosta, Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:00 pm: Reply

My mate worked at AGL installing their German billing system [SAP]. You are not paying for electricity any longer. You are paying for installation of large business systems that no one can understand that cost millions of dollars that interface to smart meters that will split the minute down to a millisecond and bill it to you in the form of electricity. Your usage hasn't gone up - the revolution at the energy company billing systems has won the war with the consumer. We never had a chance. Only the old meters will tell the truth. And the first casualty in any war is the truth.

Penny Thompson, Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:42 pm:

I heard it called by some Tru Energy call centre person, a "Data Platform Issue", that's what they were told to say, to nullify any questions and investigations. It's meaningless, and it's not our fault, but it shut's us up for a while.
Fight back people. We need to fight back en masse.

cormeyer1@hotmail.com

Tia, Mon, 13 Jun 2011 05:18 pm: Reply

WHY cant we charge power companies RENT for having THEIR electrical equipment (that we have to pay for) hanging of MY HOUSE. I see my name on the title, not theirs!!!

Anonymous, Sun, 19 Jun 2011 05:36 am: Reply

Need help. Burlington Vermont voters have twice turned down a bond request for smart meters. Third vote is June 28. Itron (Lockheed company) is in town showing the very expensive meters they are going to sell us. Residents led to believe this is going to save money. They think this demonstration is providing reliable information about smart grid technology, but it's a sales pitch. Anyone can comment on the article if register from the company making million off of these meters. Need your input.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011106140312

Please twitter #btvcc to get the message to our city councilors. #BVT #BTV and #VT to reach Burlington VT voters. HELP!

Anonymous, Sun, 19 Jun 2011 05:39 am: Reply

Error. Should say: Voters think this demonstration is providing reliable information about smart grid technology, but it's a sales pitch from the company making million off of these meters. Anyone can comment on the article if register with an email. Need your input.

Brian, Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:59 pm: Reply

They just sent me a letter im in Scoresby in Melbourne Australia to tell me they are installing one.I rang them up and said not interested until the government complete its review.They said this puts it on hold for 2-3 months, if you get another letter you have to ring us back up and tell us you don't want it.This of course pending the government still reviewing it.If this government goes ahead with this we are literally doomed.We will end up sitting in our houses at 9pm reading a book by candle.This current Victorian state government needs to act this is nothing but a scam.The future of our whole society is riding on this one ministers review, which will probably get hijacked.If you look at the company who started this smart metering in Australia, Bayard capital Cameron O'reilley, they started with 100 million capital in 2003, and just sold their company to Toshiba for 2.3 BILLION dollars.All off our backs.

Darrin Hill, Wed, 29 Jun 2011 07:15 pm: Reply

Don't get me started on the smart meter, smart for the energy companies not for me. I built a new home 2 years ago and had a smart meter imposed on me. My previous home, bill about $240.00 per quarter. New house has solar hot water, gas cooktop and is full insulated. My average bill every quarter is between $650.00 and $800.00. Have called energy australia numerous times and am given the script that i am much better off under a smart meter.. Do these idiots think I was born yesterday.. PLease beware, never let them install one at your house, you will regret it...

Coco, Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:19 pm:

Thanks for sharing your story. I am furious knowing how we are treated like rats in a scientist's laboratory.....we need to keep angry and spread the word....regards

eu, Mon, 04 Jul 2011 08:36 pm: Reply

Just received a letter from United Energy saying they were to install a smart meter by Service Stream (3rd party). I called up Service
Stream and cancelled the installation - they confirmed that the smart meters can interfere with garage doors, sensor lights, and other equipment that uses radio frequencies. He also confirmed that they are still researching/investigating the smart meters. I told him i did not want to be a guinea pig on 'experimental' equipment until full research on these smart meters was done. If you don't want a Smart Meter just ring up and cancel - they can't force you to have one installed.

Bob, Thu, 07 Jul 2011 04:13 pm: Reply

SPASM = Smart people against smart meters
Rise up people, these thing are purely there to generate higher profits for the shareholders of the overseas owned "utility"companies that were illegally imposed on us by state governments selling off publicly owned state assets -- owned buy the people of the state!!!!!

Mia Nony, Mon, 11 Jul 2011 08:00 am: Reply

"What does "SMART" mean, Mummy?"

"Well, darling, the letters stands for "SURVEILLANCE MONITORED ARTIFICIAL RADIATION TRANSMITTER".
But the idea behind the letters started out as a clever corporate way in which to flatter us as consumers into thinking we were "smart", and at the same time, the word was meant to secretly mock us for being so easy to "outsmart" by corporations."

"How did it happen, Mummy?"

"It was partly our own fault. We all wanted to be clever and wireless, to "go digital" and modern and to think of ourselves as "smart". That is how we outsmarted ourselves. The corporations saw our need to be "smart" as a chance to sell us this image of ourselves in the digital mirror which they held up for us to gaze at."

"How will it happen, Mummy?"

"Well.... This plan is similar to drift netting. The net entraps the catch and everything else at the same time, remember? And then the makers of this net either consume or discard everything inside the net. The corporations are joining all of the radiation units and boosters and towers together in one giant drift net, sort of like making the whole planet the same as that room Mummy goes into to have an x-ray, except that in this "room" none of us get to leave the room. The corporations are enclosing the earth in a giant invisible net.
You remember what humans did to the whales when they used sonar in the ocean? Do you recall how it drove the whales mad and the whales tried to beach themselves to escape the hurtful crazy making sound? This is very much like that, only now we are the whales.
People, and all domestic and wildlife on land will be trapped inside in that "smart" drift net which is meant to be wrapped around the globe. Sadly we will be left with no place to escape to and no way to beach ourselves."

"But why, Mummy? What have we done? Were we bad?"

"No we are not bad and we did nothing to deserve this, dear.
We were just fatally foolish. That and we got in their way."

"Will it hurt, Mummy?"

"At the beginning it will only hurt for some of us, the more sensitive and attuned ones.
Mostly it will not be painful, at least not near the start. It will be very slow and gradual for most of us and any pain will only come later."

"But why are they allowed to do this to us, Mummy?"

"Because we were all sleeping when they put themselves in charge"

TRIAL SUMMATION:

THE ACCUSED ARE CHARGED WITH OUTSMARTING THEMSELVES AND ARE FOUND GUILTY AS CHARGED.

THE ACCUSED HAVE BEEN TRIED BY A JURY OF CORPORATE PURCHASED PEERS AND HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF BEING PART OF HUMANITY.

THE APPEAL FOR WRONGFUL CONVICTION IS HEREBY DENIED.

CONDITIONAL PARDON IS ALSO DENIED.

SENTENCE SHALL BE DEATH, TO BE CARRIED OUT BY GRADUALISM AND STEALTH, TO BE METED OUT BY METER, AND TO BE EXECUTED OVER A PROLONGED PERIOD OF YEARS BY MEANS OF THE S.M.A.R.T. ELECTRIC METER VERSION OF A SLOW ELECTRIC CHAIR.

ALL RISE.

COURT DISMISSED

Penny Thompson, Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:47 pm:

BRILLIANT>

The gradualism of the Fabians is all over these damn meters. What a finger licken' surprise that evil little Fabian smarm John Brumby had his greasy little mits all over it. Tim Holding was there too.

cormeyer1@hotmail.com

People Have The Power

Jax, Wed, 24 Aug 2011 03:26 pm:

Would you give permission to print this elsewhere - not for gain by me. It IS a beautiful piece of work.

deanna munson, Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:37 pm:

precisely.may i repost?

deanna munson, Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:45 pm:

precisely.brilliant.may i repost?

Lotte, Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:14 pm: Reply

I live in Olinda. Today we got a letter telling us we are getting the smart meter.Tomorrow the NO THANK YOU SINGN will go up inclusiv a look on the meter . If there force me to have it. I will have my power disconected and use alternative methods. I do have a choice to have or not to have power suplyed.

Josh, Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:41 am:

Good luck with that, enjoy the dark ages!

Andy sorted it, Tue, 12 Jul 2011 08:02 pm: Reply

I live in the Dandenongs and i got a letter stating that i have to have a "smart meter" installed. Well.......First thing in the morning the meter box is going to be padlocked and a peep hole cut for reading the exsisting meter with a sign, No to smart meter !!!!

Ellen, Tue, 12 Jul 2011 09:34 pm: Reply

I live near Pakenham. No, we aren't having a dumb meter on our house either. You can join others who object to these meters at www.savedereel.com.

JAMES, Fri, 15 Jul 2011 04:49 pm: Reply

Im in Amerika where these meters are rolling out and lucky me im not in the area YET, But For anyone who has smart meters you need to put aluminum foil and maybe a big coffee can over the unit to seal in the anttena. This will force them to come out to read the meter and they WILL remove this contraption of yours. BUT if many people do this perhaps whole neighborhoods we might get a response and get the old relyable meters back. You have to contact your elected officals everyday email, calls and visits if possible and get as many others as you can as well. Site the health impacts of the RF radiation that the World Health Organization has now deemed a carcinigen. Be active against this and we will win our privacy back. Also so you know its able to figure out whats plugged into the outlets and when you turn them on. So imagine everything you do in your house that requires electricity. They will have you whole day of what your doing or close to it. woke turned on light at 11pm then bathroom light at 11:02pm , If you have smart meter on water line 11:04pm water on 11:25pm water off (Shower) 11:27pm light off. etc. they can rebuild your life through these meters.

David Crabtree, Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:39 pm: Reply

Thank all for your comments and I will ring the power company and say NO, the best idea was the peep hole for the meter reader and the padlock. Why pay to run a meter. thank you.

AlienLife, Tue, 02 Aug 2011 03:11 pm:

The Smart Meter has taken over...No need for the peep hole....... It has already generated your bill....Was the 3628 or 8632 for your reading now?

the meter killer, Sat, 23 Jul 2011 07:33 am: Reply

i have a simple and easy way to kill a smart meter , i have done it at least 3 times and they cant get one to work on my home , the last one installed didnt get to count to 1 kwh before it was non functional , no foil, lead or coffee can over the meter , mine is totally dead no signals in or out of my yard , im like the radio wave air traffic controller , i say who can communicate with who in my yard that i pay taxas on , when i find a way to Anonymously post this stuff i will , but im afraid of what might happen if i start telling anyone how to kill there meter

Ian, Sun, 24 Jul 2011 07:22 pm:

Go for it .. be bold and make many happy !!

Penny Thompson, Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:12 pm:

We all need to stand up against this stuff. Start something too big for them to stop, like they've done to us, pass it on.

AlienLife, Tue, 02 Aug 2011 03:09 pm:

Easier still.>Call in Moulder and Scully from the X Files. How about even old Harm from JAG. Your Smart Meter is ticking up or rolling numbers as I type here/...... What was your reading again-----4567 or 7564?

jo, Wed, 17 Aug 2011 07:30 pm:

Id like to know how to stop the smart metre, it scares me, my health my privacy all invaded

jo, Wed, 17 Aug 2011 07:30 pm:

Id like to know how to stop the smart metre, it scares me, my health my privacy all invaded

deanna munson, Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:52 pm:

please,im begging you.im disabled and now with these meters my son and i are having nose bleeds,insomnia,nausea,vomiting,chronic insomnia,heartpalpitations,memory loss,my internal organs are now swelling,please my email is deamun1967@gmail.com.please consider helping me.my life may depend on it.i had to send my son to live elsewhere because of this.please help

NORBERT PROBST, Thu, 28 Jul 2011 03:50 pm: Reply

IF MY BILLS GO UP AS A RESULT I WILL HOLD THE SHAREHOLDERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE POWER CO RESPONSIBLE.
A LITTLE BAD PUBLICITY GOES A LONG WAY.
IT'S NOT HARD TO FIND OUT WHO THEY ARE AND EVEN EASIER TO SHAME THEM.
THIS TACTIC IS WORKING ALL OVER THE WORLD.
YOU SHOULD TRY IT.
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IS A SCARY THOUGHT FOR THE CORPORATE CRIMINALS WHO IMPLEMENT THESE SCAMS.
SPARE A THOUGHT FOR THE TEAM THAT DROVE THE TRAIN TO AUSCHWITZ!!

AlienLife, Tue, 02 Aug 2011 03:07 pm:

Why not get the Smart Meter to help you. After all it has come to earth to annoy the hell out of you and make life so much more complex. When was the last time you read your meter... Was it at 2345 or was that 5243? Smart meter...Way of the future for the tax man...

M.Howard, Fri, 29 Jul 2011 04:20 pm: Reply

On 5 July 2011, at approx. 2am I was woken up by firemen saying my car was on fire. My car bay is located directly in front of the power box which had just recently been changed over to "smart" meters. The power box had exploded, taking my car with it.. The firemen told me that anyone standing within 5 metres of the explosion would have been killed. It was about 1.5-2 hours before Citi Power sent anyone to turn off the live and sparking wires. Its been several weeks and while they admit it was their fault, will not compensate me for my car! A lady who has lived in the complex for 17 years said that she has never had any problems with her power until they installed these 'smart' meters... hmm something to think aout

AlienLife, Tue, 02 Aug 2011 03:04 pm:

Why the complaint. The smart meter was smart enough to tick you off. They are a form of alien life and they have been sent to bug all people on Earth. get used to it........ And your empty hip pocket....

Landlord, Tue, 02 Aug 2011 09:30 am: Reply

Not sure how smart the meters must be..But I have a situation whereby I requested a final meter reading to take place on Friday 15/7/11 as I had tenants moving in that day. My request was on the 12/7/11. I take a reading myself on the 14/7/11 late in the afternoon which said the power usage was 17 and the power exported to the grid was 132. I get the account at6 last yesterday saying that my final reading was 81 for power usage and 144 for power exported to the grid. Can anyone explain to me how 64kw of power was used in one day and how a 1.2kw Solar PV System generated 12kw of power in one day. I am not impressed and now how do I go about this situation? Does anyone have any ideas? I already have worked out the tenants use about 16kw of power per day and this could explain that maybe I have been stung 4 extra days and paid for tenants power.

Landlord, Tue, 02 Aug 2011 02:54 pm:

This is funny. I phone Energex and they advise that the meter was read on 20/7/11. Origin have the hide to say that my account was finalised on 15/7/11 as requested. Now they are back pedalling because I have contcated Energex and found out the real date the meter was read and was smart enough to keep the work order number from Origin so i had proof of my request. Now they can't understand my argument of how I failrly get billed as tenants have moved into the house and obvioulsy use more power than what we ever used as just going and renovating during the day. if they want to use their so called smart meter then how about use real time management and processing so that they can read meters immediately and be able to provide real time billing and setting up of accounts etc. I could get better service from a flying pigeon than what i get from their so called controlled caos.

Brian, Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:20 pm: Reply

Its smart to lock your box and put a hole covered with perspex or glass so they can read the meter.Because even after I cancelled my install, I found the Indian guy in my yard with the box open about to install it.If you do not lock it they will install it anyway, if no one answers the door they will just do it.Lock up your boxes the sign will not stop them.They are not allowed to break anything on your house without a court order.

Landlord, Tue, 02 Aug 2011 03:02 pm:

Be careful with the perspex etc. In QLD they consider that as a form of heat and can radiate heat onto the meters causing problems. Just place a few booby traps in the yard leading to the meter. Why not place a carbon tax collection tin at the meter and say if you touch this meter you have to pay the price.

SmartMeter, Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:42 pm: Reply

What is wrong with me? All I want to do is charge you as much as I can. I mean I even cost you to run me and I give random readings. I am just a poor innocent little box that displays random figures. Even better if you have to have a meter reader come visit as direct eyesight makes me display even worse numerical digits.

SmartMeter, Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:49 pm:

I take it no-one can afford their power bill anymore. My job is complete..now let me see, are we developing a Smarter Meter?

Dumb Meter, Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:33 am: Reply

When is a Smart Meter coming to replace me? or am i not smart enough?

Kevin Rudd, Thu, 04 Aug 2011 03:55 pm: Reply

I spent my stimulus money on a smart meter. Look where it got me? Booted out of the parliament. Where is Swanny when you need him?

Fart Power, Thu, 04 Aug 2011 04:56 pm: Reply

Has anyone considered the geothermal power generated from human farts. Why put petrol in the car when you can fart your way to work. I mean think of it. Environmentally friendly and all you have to do is eat more onions and radish. I say forget the smart meter and introduce the good old fart meter.

Richard Leschen, Sun, 07 Aug 2011 12:41 pm: Reply

Dear Gentle Readers,
Thank your for your mostly helpful comments. I have locked up my Electric Meter Box against these Now Criminal Acting Electric Power Companies and put a sign on my meter box which reads....STOP!, Do not install a Smart Meter on this property. If in the future I find a Smart Meter has been installed at my property against my will and better judgement, I will then join the pending class action to sue.

I have already gained my Top Lawyer's Blessing on my course of action in placing this notice on my Meter Box and locked it up with a powerful padlock. The Meter Reading Man knows he only has to phone me when he needs to read my meter and I'll unlock the box for him to read the meter. After that I will relock the box. We are still a Democracy and still have the freedom of Speech, Thought and Worship still installed in Law which give us the right to choose and not be dictated to. I have also sent a Strong Letter to Mr. Shane Breheny the C.E.O of Powercor and Citipower of Locked Bag 14090 Melbourne Vic 8001 by Registered Post, in which I have restated the Freedoms of the People in a Free and Democratic Society as aforementioned.
I also told Mr.Shane Breheny in this letter in bold print the Following : If, in the future I find a smart meter has been installed at my property against my will and better judgement, I will then join the Pending Class Action To SUE. I have also sent by Registered Post a similar letter to Mrs. Tara Cowie the Customer Service Officer which has been approved by my Top Lawyer to take the same action to SUE her as well. Interestingly so far, neither of these two pests has phoned me again.
Many thanks to a Lady named Di in Horsham who is helping me and others in our Righteous Crusade against these Evil and Thieving Power Companies who will stop at nothing to extort even more cash from the pockets of already Cash Strapped Australian Citizens.
Do not be intimidated by these Evil Electric Power Companies. Do as I and many citizens have done, Lock up your electric power boxes with a good strong padlock and put a bold sign on it to read........Stop ! Do not install a Smart Meter on this property. Next simply phone your Electricity Power Retailer and arrange with him to get the Meter Man to arrange a time to read your electric meter.

I say : A POX on the lot of You Evil Electric Power Companies. May a Succesful Class Action soon be brought upon you Servants of Satan who worship Mamon ahead of Human Decency and the Safety of your Customers.

Yours, Most Righteously ANGRY,

Richard Leschen of P.O. Box 311 Ararat 3377 Victoria. Email me at rvimana@vic.chariot.net.au

Australia Post, Mon, 08 Aug 2011 04:41 pm:

A new Smart Meter has been posted to you. please read the instructions carefully as you are expected to now install this meter as you have a padlock on your box. Good Luck

Alien Life, Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:15 am:

I have installed a Smart Meter today for you. Did you notice your cheap chinese steel padlock is laying on the ground? Using cheap steel products will not stop me. Welcome to the world of inaccurate readings and random numbers showing on the meter. Good luck Earthling. You are now my experiment.

Peter Garrett, Tue, 09 Aug 2011 01:28 pm:

After the insulation success, i burnt so much Midnight Oil and Electricity and I came up with the concept of the Smart Meter. You have no idea how much the Carbon Tax will help you.

Adam, Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:44 pm:

"Top Lawyer"???? You really are a idiot mate. "Evil" Power Companies"? Why don't you grow a pair of nuts and get your top lawyer to sue the state government? They're the one who mandated the installation of the meters. Because you're just a big mouth sitting around jacking off at aour keyboard?

Julia Gillard, Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:17 am: Reply

Welcome to the carbon tax. You are now a part of a tax that I promised not to introduce. Good luck fellow Australian.

Mark C Dodd, Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:00 am: Reply

Second bill arrived since Smart Meter was installed in beautifull Boronia. Not only have we suddenly used 1938 kWhs in a month (up from the July average of 500 kWhs the last two years), we were also charged for 661 kWhs apparently read from our now non existent analog meter!!! I will not name the power company as they are at the mercy of the Meter Readers who managed to read a phantom meter. As I pointed out to the nice Indian gentlement on their customer service line, I might be Australian, therefore stupid and racist according to his training, but I can count to two and there is only one meter in my meter box. When I pushed the button on the "Smart Meter" the kWhs reading agreed with the bill so the reading was right, but how accurate? To suddenly use almost 400% more power than the last two years? I don't think so!

Al. Brown., Sat, 13 Aug 2011 06:18 am: Reply

We live in an over 50's village. We do not get recompensed for exported power to the grid. Since having a mandatory Import / Export meter installed our power reading is double that of the conventional rotary meter. The digital meter does not reverse during the day, there is no "saved" electricity to use at night, there is just a useless 200Kwh of export power on the meter increasing every day. How about that.

Kev Gall, Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:49 pm:

Al,
Dont worry about that bit - now that you have the smart meter installed the supply company will be charging you for -
what is on your meter for power in
less what is due to you on your meter for power you have sent out to the grid

So you don't want the meter to wind backwards with that figure.
I suspect that the reason you think your consumption seems to have gone up is that when the old meter was there it was actually winding back you usage figure and so it was lower - now you are just going to get one $$ figure subtracted from the other $$ figure on your bill.
KBG

Al Brown, Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:05 am:

Kev,
Thank you, With the rotary meter, no one at home we would clock up Kwh's that were used during the night period. The import export meter just clocks up Kwh's that we never get paid for. With the rotary meter we could run all lights and tv and still wind the meter backwards. This does not happen with the digital meter.
Al Brown

Al Brown, Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:08 am:

Kev,
We get nothing back (Corporate stuff /Energex ) They take the net amount and charge . They do not deduct the export amount.
Al. Brown.

Ian Drinkwater, Mon, 15 Aug 2011 04:48 pm: Reply

Living in Melbourne ... I was told 3 times that they were coming to install the "smart meter" -- last Monday they finally arrived .. and having been told by "Service Stream" who were given the contract for fitting the 'METERS' that I did not have to have it fitted but could ask for it to be "delayed" this I did, the electrian was very polite .. I do not have a "smart meter". Some time in the future when the State Govt; decide I may then have to have it fitted. I will wait and see what happens.

ronald dubois, Wed, 17 Aug 2011 01:49 pm: Reply

cmp came over and started to install smart meters on every house on this street in which i had no knowlege or calls they were going to do this, but never questioned this. what do i have to so they can come over and install the old meter we have had the smart meter for about 4 months as of now.

Sojin Muneshi, Thu, 18 Aug 2011 06:12 am: Reply

Richard, you are constantly peppering this site with falsehoods and scaremongering, and in doing so misleading the public.

Get Real, Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:01 pm: Reply

I will gladly accept the smart meter anyday as unlike you all i know how they work and am not lead by false information

Susan, Fri, 19 Aug 2011 02:15 pm: Reply

We live in Eildon, Victoria and when i came home from work about 2 yrs ago i noticed that my electricity box was open. Lo and behold somone had installed a smart meter. Even after approx 20 phone calls no one is admitting to installing it but i can tell that in the last 2 yrs every single electricity bill we had had has gone up by an average of $50 EXCEPT for the last one, it went up by $175.00 and no we have not installed any extra electrical appliances.

HELP?, Sat, 20 Aug 2011 09:41 am: Reply

I just moved house.

The new house has a smart meter.

The electricity company sent a bill for 19 days as it was close to the end of the billing cycle when i got the electricity connected.

19 days bill is almost 300$ WTF????

No one was even in the house for most of those 19 days and they want 300$ average cost of almost $14 a day? What the hell is going on?

HOUSTON, Sun, 21 Aug 2011 07:35 am: Reply

Smartmeter installed in April 2011 and electricity consumption has skyrocketed. Purchased the TED 5000 can't wait to hook it up and prove to center point their double billing.

Anonymous, Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:34 am:

So in other words your old estimated reads were under estimated. Therefore you should be thankful for the years that you were undercharged! The smart meter can only measure what you use. the TED 5000 will show the same usage as your smart meter!

Alex, Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:56 pm: Reply

I just put a padlock on my meter box and cut a little window for the electricity company to read my meter!!!!!!!

Smart Meters, Wed, 24 Aug 2011 04:54 pm: Reply

I understand alot of people are dislike what i have to say but oh well, lets just say i know alot more about smart meters than you!

A smart meter does not charge you a cent! A smart meter is a set of Bus Bars, current transformers, switches and Microprocessors. The current flows into the meter, through the bus bars (either import or export (if you have solar)) and then out the meter to the occupant. This current is measured by the CT's and then this measurement is stored into memory for power measurement. Smart meters have an accuracy class of 1.0 or are accurate to 1% at at ideal current ~10A. EVERY meter is verified before being installed

Now i understand that peoples bills may go up but that is an issue with the retailer charging more.
In the past your meter has only ever been estimated, therefore you would be lucky to have your meter read twice a year. therefore you were most likely undercharged. Now with the smart meter you are billed for the exact amount of power you are using or you are credited with the exact amount of power you generate.

If you are gonna get angry over sky rocketing bills do so in the right direction and that is at the retailers.

Good Work, Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:11 am:

Nice work, as a level 2 electrican who installs smart meters nearly every day i can safely say 99% of people dont understand fully how they work and your that 1% that do. Thankyou

Smart Meters, Wed, 24 Aug 2011 04:58 pm: Reply

By the way, if you would like clarification on anything to do with smart meters just ask and i will try my best to answer for you. Don't just start hating on me.

stan, Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:56 pm:

As an electrically trained person, something I cannot understand is how solar generated power is fed into the grid and credited.
Conventional generators connected in parallel will load share. No power will be drawn from a generator unless there is a demand on the system. Consequently a 200 megawatt generator could be running and only feeding 100 megawatts into the grid.If a householder has a 2kw solar array how can he be paid for this output unless that additional 2 kw is demanded by the grid.

Smart Meters, Tue, 04 Oct 2011 02:16 pm:

It does.

But seriously if you are interested in this type of thing you need to know principles in power flow in AC networks. This are extremely complex. It took me 4 years and a degree to understand this.

121.212.253.252, Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:15 am: Reply

lets get rid of this horrible website that only tells people what they wanna here and not the truth

Ed Parker, Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:52 pm:

It seems like you are quite ill informed. Sure, you might be installing hundreds of smart meters each week, but it's not you that is experiencing all the problems. It's the average Joe that is. You know - the hundreds of thousands of residents in the state of Victoria who are being short-changed by the big utility companies.

You also might want to brush up on your grammar. It's 'Want to', not 'wanna'. Same with 'here' - obviously you don't know how to spell 'hear'. If you want to put forth an argument, at least try to make an effort to use the English language properly.

Smart Meters, Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:53 am:

Ed
I would say you a very ill informed! you state:
"It's the average Joe that is. You know - the hundreds of thousands of residents in the state of Victoria who are being short-changed by the big utility companies"
This has nothing to do with the smart meters, if you read my statement above, you will find the smart meters CANNOT short change residents.
This website is about smart meters only, not retailers!
And if you want to "put forward an argument" you might want to do a bit of research!

PS, get over the grammar correction that is just a lame argument.

what should i do?, Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:31 pm: Reply

Jemena came knocking on my door about how i have a defect. exposed gpo installed on meterpanal n wires at bottom on metal enclosure or something like that. whey want to fix it but the i read the form they gave me n then i notice it said something about installing a smart meter. what should i do i don't want a live wire there and i also dont want a smart meter

Smart Meters, Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:56 am:

Get a smart meter, you are going to have to get one because it is legislation. This way you will not be charged.
If you refuse you may have to pay for the install.
Read my above statements about smart meters, they are not as bad as the stuff you hear in the media.

PS Yes get the wire fixed ASAP, that's kinda scary.

Al Brown, Wed, 31 Aug 2011 05:47 am: Reply

Smart Meters,

Mate would you please look at my comments on Sat 13/ August
and see if you can assist me please with my issue.
Thank you,
Al. Brown.

Smart Meters, Wed, 31 Aug 2011 09:32 am:

I had a look at your comment the other day, and i am not to sure what you are trying to say.

To my understanding of your problem, you have a solar system, but you have a net solar tariff.

This type of problem is about the retailers. The smart meter can measure both Net and Gross.

Now i could be very wrong, could you please help by clarifying your current setup and your previous setup?

Al Brown, Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:03 pm:

Our solar system was originally connected through a rotary meter.
This wound backwards during the day whilst we were at work. This accumulation of Kwh was used during the night period. We now have an export/ import digital meter that reads net usage (import) and export that is sent back to the grid. We do not receive anything for this exported (excess) power. This is a sad fact, Village / Origin
agreement. We do not get the export amount deducted from the net either. My reasoning is that we would be better off in our circumstances to have our system running through a bi directional meter I have no problem with the digital meter other than we are not getting any benefit from it and are losing out by it's installation. One other small query is that the digital meter continually reads around 2 Kwh's less than the sunny Boy Inverters daily output.
Any help, suggestion is greatly appreciated. Thank you,
Al. Brown.

Smart Meters, Fri, 02 Sep 2011 10:02 am:

Al

I would totally agree with you, i do not understand why they would not either put a dual element meter (measure import and export separately) or a bi directional meter in your location. Does your meter have a reading for net import and also export?

Also are you saying that you are not compensated for power you export? I would be following up with your retailer and making sure you have the correct tariff in your meter and whether you have the correct meter as well. I am not sure weather any of this helps, as i am more involved with the meters themselves and not the retailers side of things.

As with the final query, i guess this depends on whether the reading on the digital meter is a Net or a Gross measurement of the power generated.

Al Brown, Sat, 03 Sep 2011 06:41 am:

Smart Meters,
Thanks for your input regards my situation. We have one meter witch displays Import and Export only. I understand that the meter can be programmed to do other readings. I had a reply from Origin Power wanting my account number (we don't have one as the park bulk buys and charges us). Anyway hopefully we can get our bi directional rotary meter reinstalled. I am positively sure we will benefit far more with the rotary.
Al. Brown

Roy, Thu, 15 Sep 2011 02:09 am:

I am in Texas, USA. An electronic meter can be programmed more ways than you could ever imagine. One of these is called "detent". It only allows readings from energy flow one way. I use to work for the largest member owned co-op in the U.S. I was the AMR tech responsible for reading 260k+ meters daily. I have been reading this post and it seems to me (just one persons opinion) that the utility providers are at fault, not the meters.

Daniel F, Wed, 07 Sep 2011 09:11 pm: Reply

If you do not like smart meters just break them like I have 4 times Jamestown,Ohio fuck Dayton power and Light after a while they will get the hint smart meters for fucking stupid power company's

WE ALL NEED TO GET OFF ARE ASS AND STAND UP TO THESE CROOKS

sev, Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:03 am: Reply

I just got a call from AGL saying my use of electricity has gone up. i mentioned that i do not want a smart meter put in my home, she said that i have to have one installed evan thoe i said i refuse to have a smart meter installed, whats up with these GREEDY people, health risks also . lets have a class action sue them.

sev, Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:04 am: Reply

CHECK OUT ON FACEBOOK ABOUT SMART METERS...

Catt, Tue, 13 Sep 2011 01:07 pm: Reply

I have received a letter telling me that a smart meter will be installed. I do not want it, my question to you is that if I put the notice on my switch is it legally binding or can they (as I have heard) just come in and say I have to have it?

Smart Meters, Tue, 13 Sep 2011 01:20 pm:

Put it this way, If you refuse the installer is "supposed" to pack up and wish you well. They are not to force a meter on you but they may try and talk to into it (not bully).
Having said that, the smart meter roll out is legislated by the government, therefore you WILL get one, there's no two ways about it. the old rotary meters are no more and besides they have reached their end of live.
Also if you refuse to have the meter installed now, there is a chance down the road that they may charge you for the install, i doubt they will do this but they may have the power to do so.

John Glazebrook, Tue, 13 Sep 2011 02:03 pm: Reply

We have contacted United Energy and their smart Meter installer to request that they not install a smart Meter at our home. I believe it is unconscionable for the Victorian government to allow Smart Meters to be installed when the Victorian inquiry into their performance has not concluded.No report has been made available to the public from the inquiry.We have also emailed the Minister for Energy, Michael O'Brien, and demanded to know how consumers are supposed to make informed decisions about their installation without the findings from the inquiry to inform choice. Clearly, neither the Victorian government nor the energy companies want consumers to make informed choices.The Baillieu government has shown itself to be an instrument for advancing the interests of big business, not protecting consumers.Think again Ted Baillieu and Michael O'Brien!

NightShift, Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:30 am: Reply

Cover your new smart meter with a coffee can or aluminum foil. It will stop the RF radio signals from coming in your home. The power company can not do anything about you doing this but take it off. If they say anything tell them the little kids next door did it. Don't be a sheep, Fight for your life!

Catt, Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:30 pm:

Whats the point in stopping the RF signals?

NightShift, Sat, 17 Sep 2011 03:09 pm:

Catt, I don't want any RF transmitting into my home. Covering meters with foil stop the RF and is my way of protesting and sticking it to the man. If a few people in your town covered a bunch of Smart meters and then call the newspapers and tell your story.

Anonymous, Sat, 17 Sep 2011 03:31 pm:

Stopping the RF signals is very much a valid point. Firstly, it stops any further proliferation of RF smog, as well as another source of potential radio interference.

It also protects your privacy - without the 'remote reading' capabilities, you are stopping the electricity companies from instantaneously knowing how much electricity you're using at any point in time, so they can't easily tell when you're home and using appliances. They can still send their meter reading staff to get the meter readings though.

The new meters are smart for the bureaucrats and rich conglomerates but not for the consumer. We're ripped off, our privacy is invaded and our rights are not respected. So good on you to all who take a stand against the great smart meter rort.

Edithvale 3196, Wed, 14 Sep 2011 07:54 pm: Reply

I am really confused. Having read many of these articles, but what are my actual rights? Can I say to the installer / call centre operator, that at this time I do not wish for the meter to be installed? Do I really have to lock up the box or can I place the sign on the cover saying that at this current time I decline to have one? I realise that eventually I may have to have one, but while there has been no public notification from the governmentI choose to opt out.

Smart Meters, Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:12 am:

See that is the problem with this kind of website, the details on this website are propaganda. If you only read this type of website and only hear what A Current Affair and Today tonight play then you will fear these meters.

When it comes to your rights in regards to your meter it is quite simple. You do not owe your meter the distribution company does. The meter is there so they may bill you for the power you use. Therefore if the distribution company wants to change THEIR meter then they can. plus this roll-out has been legislated by law, therefore under law as well they may change the meter.

Having said all of that, as it stands at the moment most distribution companies will not install the meter if you ask them not too. But you will get one, just like any product the rotary meter have a user life and in their case it can be as short as 15 years, and then there accuracy may drift. Therefore your meter will be replaced and it will be with a smart meter.

Roy, Texas, USA, Thu, 15 Sep 2011 02:32 am: Reply

I wish you all well. I don't know if my comments will help anyone, but here goes... I was a meter tech and AMR (automatic meter reading) tech for the largest member owned co-op in the US. I was responsible for the equipment that read 260k+ meters daily. As for whats legal where you live I have no clue; but in the US the utility owns everything up to and including the meter. Now, to my point; electronic meters have to be programmed correctly. If you suspect it's the meter (not the utility) thats "ripping" you off, ask if it's programmed correctly. "We" had a batch of meters distributed and installed that had the wrong KH programmed. Fortunately the system red flagged the excesive use for the members account. Hope this might help even a little. God Bless...

Tom, Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:20 am: Reply

Time to solar up and power your own system like a house boat with batteries and then the power company can kiss my **** goodbye

brian, Sat, 17 Sep 2011 09:57 am: Reply

if its installed without permission how do you get rid of it

Anonymous, Sat, 17 Sep 2011 10:09 am:

You destroy it with a modified microwave oven magnetron (taken from an old or discarded microwave oven - simply take a look around your neighbourhood next time there is a hard rubbish collection).

Just add a waveguide to the magnetron so the microwave energy is channelled into a small beam towards the 'Dumb meter'. The microwave energy will fry the internal electronics of the meter, all without the need to touch or otherwise tamper with the meter. Then they (Jemena, SP Ausnet, etc) will have no choice but to replace it. Keep doing it, and they'll realise a smart meter won't survive on your property. Then it's back to the good old rotary meter. Easy!

Google it if you're unsure on how to do so. And be careful - microwave energy can burn, and the high voltages in a microwave oven can kill. If you're not skilled in electronics, don't even think about trying. Your life is worth more than a silly smart meter.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this post is not condoned. Do so at your own risk.

Ken, Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:53 am: Reply

Australia- if you don't want the Smart Meter installed you simply ring your local electricity dietribution business, mine is Powercor 1300783882, and request to have the installation delayed untill the 'Smart Meter Review Process" is completed. Easy.

Jack, Wed, 21 Sep 2011 03:36 pm: Reply

They will have to cut the power for a few minutes to install a new smart meter. They can't cut the power to your home if you tell them you have a family member of life support in the back room.

Anonymous, Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:17 pm: Reply

SMASH THEM, SMASH THEM, SMASH THEM, A big way to protest is to smash your meters with a wooden baseball bat or non metal object. If we all organise an Australia wide campaign on a certain day to knock them out and demand our meters back we will get them to hear our angry voice. But I guess we can't do without our TV's. The only way to win is fight back. Fighting Back Australia Party is coming soon.

Your a Dick, Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:00 am:

Naa seriously i think you should do this! You are so smart, and could have never come up with a brilliant scheme like this!

Cool, Thu, 22 Sep 2011 01:44 pm: Reply

I talked to a Power company employee today and I found out, They can't do anything about people putting coffee cans or foil con meters located on their homes. There are no American laws about stopping radio signals coming from equipment located on your home. The only thing they have laws covering is bypassing your power meter to get free power. Don't destroy or mess with the meter because you may cause damage to your homes electrical panel or your homes wiring.

Donna - Geelong, Thu, 22 Sep 2011 07:51 pm: Reply

They installed a smart meter at my home and I didn't give them permission - how do I go about getting the thing removed?

Smart Meters, Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:02 am:

You don't.
A. They don't need permission! and
B. Rotary meters are no longer, so you can piss and moan all you like you will not get one back.

Annoyed, Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:01 pm: Reply

I URGE ALL OF YOU ABOVE TO CONTACT THE ENERGY OMBUDSMAN, WE CAN DO SOMETHING! I hate the smart meter also and hate the idea that I was not given a choice. It was being installed when I arrived home. Prior to the installation, I told DPI (Department of Primary Industries)that I didnt want it, they fobbed me off and told me it was the responsibility of PowerCor, they fobbed me off too and told me to contact my power supplier, Tru Enery, they fobbed me off too as they all usually do and not one of them informed me that I didnt have to have one. The penny dropped! I didnt want it installed, as was my right, but they did it anyway. OK, so all you have to do is contact the Energy Ombudsman, put the pressure on, tell them the whole story, they are a bit slack, but if we all complain to them they will be forced to act etc etc. My story is a long one, ombudsman still investigating, my bill went from approximately $170, $207 to $470 (winter bills) with absolutely no more electrical appliances than ever before and cutting down my use till I can cut down no more.

Be encouraged, we dont have to have these dangerous appliances at our front doors emitting radiation into our homes.
Sincerely

Very angry

Ismail, Fri, 23 Sep 2011 03:56 pm: Reply

I have similar story, my bill went up by approx $200 after the smart meter installation. Only one new LED TV appliance introduced, but doesnt signfies the usage from 300kw to 1110 kw. Energy compnay said the old meters were not giving the right reading now smart meters are giving accurate reading..not sure what to do...

Smart Meters, Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:55 pm:

Sorry but what you have been told is correct, the smart meter is ALOT more accurate, and it is NEVER estimated. The old meter may have only been read once or twice a year.

Be thankful cause by the sounds of things in the past you should have been paying alot more, if you were charged for your actual usage.

Nerk, Tue, 27 Sep 2011 06:09 pm:

Maybe you live on the moon Smart Meters to need to have estimated readings, we here in suburban Melbourne had our meters read each quarter. I've had a smart meter installed over two years ago and the meter reader still comes out to read each quarter. When tackled, the meter reader said that the remote reading system is still being beibg developed and is many months/years away. I can see another Myki fiasco (you need to bea Melbournite to understand)

Smart Meters, Tue, 04 Oct 2011 01:57 pm:

Nerk.

If you are lucky you may have had readings every quarter, but this is very rare. In any case 4 times a year is nothing like once every .5 an hour!

Also the humble meter reader has no idea when it comes to complete AMI roll out.
Yes you may have had a smart meter for quite some time but that does not mean the rest of the infrastructure is in place to take readings automatically. But by 2013 all infrastructure will be in place for the automatic meter readings.

And yes i am from Melbourne i do understand the Myki, and i agree that was a joke.

Nerk, Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:17 am:

Smart Meters, what a statement to make that only the lucky ones get their meters read. Unless you live on the 20th floor of an apartment, there is no lift, the meter is located on the 20th floor and guarded by a pit-bull then I would agree that those people may have estimated readings. The vast majority would have their meters read. Is it not a requirement on the retailer to indicate on the bill when the reading has been estimated?

Nerk, Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:12 am:

Sorry but you are wrong again, something as simple as a locked gate, slipper drive way or a dog will stop a meter reader from accessing the meter.

Besides all that, the smart meters are Accurate devices. The mixture of 15 year old rotary meters and estimated reads will always be inaccurate.

Lynn, Sun, 25 Sep 2011 03:42 pm: Reply

I live in Langwarrin. I am desperatley in need of advice. I have solar panels installed in June and have not got a smart meter installed yet. Not sure if this is good or bad. Reason being that the latest bill dropped by $80/. I recently had a letter fr. our distributor wanting to install a sart meter and if I delay after the 30/09/2011, I will miss out on the PFIT from the govt. Pls. pls. advise immediately. Judging from all I read above, I am only afraid that I have to pay more after the smart meter is installed.

joe z, Sun, 25 Sep 2011 04:32 pm: Reply

This planet is doomed because of the selfish,ignorant and greedy people that are running it only for profiteering way beyond the limits irrespective of the shortfalls of the outcomes to be.While we are on the subject of electrical energy,there would be no such thing as a coal carbon tax if the coal mining was shut down.Their excuse was that there would be a lot of people out of work.That may be so,but it does not justify the mainstream of this issue,and which is seriosly impacting on the climate change. There will always be other jobs created by other sources of energy which are already up and running.What good is it by flogging a dead horse if it is killing the planet? Here again we see incompetence at the highest level,because the government is interested only on the tax they can reap in from these miners instead of shutting down coal mining industry.

Marky Hindos, Sun, 25 Sep 2011 10:34 pm: Reply

Smart meter installed now my bill has gone from avg of $200 to $600 per quarter... I live alone in a 2 bed house and work 10hr days. How is this possible?
I have friends with a smart meter and 6 ppl living in the household with a bill of $400. Are there known faults with smart meters?

Qaiser, Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:42 am: Reply

Since the installation of Smart meter, My Quarter Bill increased from 225 to 300Plus.
These meters are rippping us off.

Smart Meters, Tue, 04 Oct 2011 01:49 pm:

Meters only measure power they CANNOT charge you, blame the retailer!

Chad, Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:53 pm: Reply

I just had one installed due to not paying my bill. Power was off when i came home. I went to look at the meter and accidentally bumped it; power restored. Somethings not right. Went in the house to find it smelled like burnt electrical and found numerous items throughout my house were fried. Have yet to call them back as they haven't opened yet. We'll see what happens. Anyone know if this thing can cause a power surge?

Smart Meters, Tue, 04 Oct 2011 01:50 pm:

The installation of a smart CANNOT cause a power surge.

What was the outcome of this situation, and who is your utility?

Anonymous, Sun, 04 Dec 2011 04:51 am:

The Smart Meter has a internal remote controlled switch that can turn your power off when you don't pay and back on when you do. (Just like cell phones) Doesn't sound safe to me.

Doug, Sun, 02 Oct 2011 09:40 am: Reply

WARNING WARNING DO NOT HAVE A 'DUMB' SMART METER INTALLED EVVVVER.......
WE COPPED ONE LAST THURSDAY AND TO DATE 4 DAYS LATER OUR USAGE IS RECORDED AS MORE THAT THE PREVIOUS 40 DAYS USAGE ....
THAT IS OVER A 1000% INCREASE..........
WE WILL NOT BE PAYING ANY ACCOUNTS BILLS UNTIL SOME ONE (POWERCOR) CORRECT, REMOVE,OR REPLACE THIS DUMB DUMB METER.............

John, Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:00 am: Reply

I am so glad that I currently do not have a "smart" (understatement) meter.

I am sick of the lies that the companies are making up about these things, they tell us that they are going to fix all of our problems, but so far all they have done for our society is imposed a bigger problem.

A meter, does NOTHING more than record the electricity that is being used, a meter CANNOT be used to turn electricity on and off remoteley, as this has to always be manually done, as the main power swich needs to be turned off. A meter CANNOT alert power companies of an outage, as if the meter sends a message to the company saying that the power has gone out, how do they know if just the safety switch has gone, or a fuse. Are they going to go running out to every property after a smart meter has sent them a message saying that the power has gone out, when really all that has happened is the safety switch has gone.

Another big problem I am having with these meters and am worried about is the health and safety of them. These meters run on similar networks to what mobiles and cell phones run off. As studies have shown, by several different doctors, that the long-term effects of mobile and cell phone use can lead to certain cancer's and tumors, why would we want to put a device in every-one's homes that could potentially lead to this outcome, with no testing of the effects of the meter have been done to prove that they are safe. What about people with pace-makers, will these devices negitivally effect them?

Whilst talking about the publications of the meter's the society has had no given time to express their true options of the meters, or where not given the chance to, and nor has there been any information given to the consumers about the meters, and unless people are watching such shows as 'A Current Affair' and 'Today - Tonight', then people just really don't know what is going on.

The individual charges that these meters will impose on the consumer is still yet to be said, yet they continue with the roll-out.
A law should be passed the retailers must itimise the individual metering charge on the consumers bill so that people can properly see how much they are paying for this meters, instead of the charge just being added in the to customers 'Daily Supply Charge' tarrif on the bill.

For consumers who are already having problems with their energy retailer or distributor and are in the process of having issues resolved, then they would not need someone going to change things around, as this the limits the ability of the companies to investigate these problems and what they can possibly do to fix their bills, ect.

Cunsumers need choice.
The best result of the current review would be if the government came back to say that the smart meter roll-out will be canceled, or that the cunsumer has a choice whether or not they will have a new meter installed, or if they can keep their old one.

Smart Meters, Tue, 04 Oct 2011 01:48 pm:

Hi John
I will state some facts for you about the smart meters, since you have done ZERO research.

A little basic home wiring information for you, the meter is installed after the service fuse (which can only be touch or changed by the utilities) and before the switch board (this is where the safety switch and other breakers are).

therefore:

1. The smart meter contains a disconnect switch, therefore the meter can disconnect power to the house remotely.

2.Upon power outage from the mains side (this is not a safety switch outage as the safety switch is after the meter)the meter is able to send a last message to the Utilities informing them of an outage. This way rolling outages can be tracked, and it is easier to pin point the outage location. This is insted of the utlities guessing where the outage may be from calls from the public.

3. The smart meters run on the 900MHz and 2.4GHz, these are both ISM bands and have regulations implemented by governing agencies of transmission strength and duration. The smart meters comes in well below any of these limits. In fact a humble wireless router outputs more power.

4.You do not own the meter therefore "society" do not have a right to have a say, the utilities own the meter and they have chosen to upgrade the meter. You have always paid for your meter and you will continue to do so with the smart meters.

I am happy to go over each of your points but i am sorry you are wrong on most accounts!

Nerk, Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:48 am:

Smart Meters, I thought that you were a stooge for the electricity distributors and retailers, now I know better. Society has every right to challenge the wisdom of the Regulator to implement a technological change when it is seen by consumers that no clear benefits are forthcoming. Don’t forget that this is Australia, not the USA where big business rules government. Furthermore, the consumer is paying a direct charge for the smart meter and its installation. Prior to this roll-out it was the utility that paid for the meter, its replacement when needed, its maintenance and its calibration. The utilities see benefits to their bottom line and have convinced the Regulator to the roll-out. If the Regulator had not agreed then the utilities would have borne all costs and in that event would not have proceeded.
The roll-out is a fiasco. There are enough bad reports of issues with the safety and accuracy of the meters to warrant a stop to the roll-out. The Victorian Government has placed a moratorium, but I can’t see much coming from that.

Smart Meters, Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:09 am:

Nerk

I have nothing to do with either the Distributors or Retailers, in fact i have no bias's with the smart meters at all. I have just bothered to find the truth.

All pros and cons of the smart meters aside, the distributors have the right to change their meter, but not only that it has been legislated under law. If you don't like that then get disconnected, from the grid.

The consumer has always paid for their meter, but it may not have been described in you bill as it is now. The meter is part of the grid network and you will always be paying for it no matter what type it is.

And let me put this very clearly, there are NO safety or accuracy issues with the smart meters. This is a fact!

deanna munson, Fri, 21 Oct 2011 05:02 pm:

dont let this idiot fool you.since install here the trees are decomposing,all life in the creek that passes through here are completely DEAD now less than a month after install.my son is living 50 miles away from me now sue to the nausea vomiting insomnia and nose bleeds he started having IMMEDIATELY after install.i have even more symptoms,but being poor and disabled makes it impossible to live anywhere but an apartment,and now all adjoining cities have these deadly meters installed as well.i can research all i want.it wont change whats happening here,and they have hardly been tested for longterm exposure.i feel like im having a heartattack every day everynight.how dare people say theyre safe,when thousands are reporting the same symptoms as i,everywhere these have been installed.something is amiss

Ellen, Tue, 04 Oct 2011 05:31 pm: Reply

Apart from the microwaves that will be pulsing through my house at intervals and doing God only knows what harm to our bodies (they said Mobile phones were safe once, now look at the research), there is the matter of this being a free country. Where in the world do you suppose the 'free' comes from, if we cannot say no to something being put onto our property.
We had solar panels installed, however, we have since been told by Powercor, that they wont connect to the grid, through any other device, than the smart metre. Now I have 8 useless panels on my roof, but I WILL NOT have a smart metre. This is MY HOME, MY CHOICE and I intend to stick to my guns, like any self respecting person with Aussie grit should do! Make a noise, ring the radio stations, contact the government, but dont forget, any letter you send, send it Registered Post, then you have a record.
We are a free country and if we are complacent, we wont be for long!

Jodie, Fri, 07 Oct 2011 07:51 pm:

I put solar on 1year ago Clear solar has gone out of business . Ausnet has connected me to put a meter on I think I will cancel the meter order and like you have the pretty panel just sitting on my roof.. I will cancel on 10.10.11 What do you think??? I know someone that knew a man that puts these smart meters on houses its sad because he gets told by the home owner NO so the next house he was saying we just needed to update your meter and was putting a smart meter on.... Dont left any near your meter......

Anonymous, Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:09 pm:

You won't get any premium feed in tarriffs (FIT)without a new meter, but that's fine. At least your solar PV system will help reduce or offset your grid energy usage during daylight.

After a few years, the benefits of a premium feed in tarriff will be gradually eroded away by the government. So getting a new meter fitted will be a waste.

It was already announced in early Sep 2011 that the Bailleu government plans to reduce the rate from 60 cents-per-kilowatthour to 25 for all new installations after October 1. And who says they won't change their mind and also reduce the FIT for existing customers who already receive the 60 cent rate??? Politicians can back-flip as we all have seen before!

Brian, Fri, 07 Oct 2011 07:25 am: Reply

Landlord, Tue, 02 Aug 2011 03:02 pm:

Be careful with the perspex etc. In QLD they consider that as a form of heat and can radiate heat onto the meters causing problems. Just place a few booby traps in the yard leading to the meter. Why not place a carbon tax collection tin at the meter and say if you touch this meter you have to pay the price.

Its not any form of heat its no different than a regular enclosed meter box except you can see through it.The reason you have to put the perspex or glass is because if you leave just a hole in the meter box water can get in.The meter box belongs to you, you can do whatever you like with it.Mine has a lock and a viewing window and ive had no complaints.I will be the last to get a scam meter if it even goes ahead.Don't listen to these shills on here they are from getup and the socialist alliance they are communist retards.

Brian, Fri, 07 Oct 2011 07:32 am: Reply

Also you can get your own kilowatt hour meter from an electrical supplier they cost around $60.
http://electriciansupplies.com.au/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_357&products_id=2261&zenid=sq3r4g6eshf4qv5jts0srv4u83
And have an electrician install it after their meter.You can buy more expensive digital ones as well that even have usb downloadable records.And then you can dispute the usage with actual evidence and proof.

Smart Meters, Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:01 am:

Sorry Brian.
Unless you have a NATA or equivalent certificate of accuracy (as the smart meters do) you will have no leg to stand on.
But if they are accurate, all you will find, is that the readings will be the same.
EVERY smart meter is calibrated to within 1% by Law.

Farmer, Sun, 09 Oct 2011 11:16 pm: Reply

Don't be fooled by smart meters you will get ripped off blind and stay well clear of them , my friend is a electrician he said you would be safer standing under high tension wires, smart meters are a bad health risk to children and babies whats more important the health of your children or a smart meter,also this is coming from a top lawyer the law states you do not have to have a smart meter installed on your premises if one is installed with out your permission a court action will be in place, and don't be fooled by solar power because they then install a smart meter we nearly got caught they brought the solar panels out ready to install they were up at our meter box i said what are you doing they said we have to fit a smart meter i then told them i am ringing the cops and proceeded inside to the phone they packed up and took off,i then went to my lawyer and he got me a full refund.
So if they come and try to install a smart meter ring the police and have them up for trespassing they sue the arse off them.

Farmer, Sun, 09 Oct 2011 11:19 pm: Reply

And to all of use yes the smart meters have come to Victoria as they tried to install on on my farm

Fred, Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:39 pm: Reply

Some different kind of kilowatt meters
http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&x=0&ref_=nb_sb_noss&y=0&field-keywords=killawatt&url=search-alias%3Daps&_encoding=UTF8&tag=worth100005-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

Margaret, Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:55 pm: Reply

We do NOT wANT A SO CALLED Smart Meter, Thank you.

Total Recall, Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:34 pm: Reply

What can be done collectively to change this 'law'?
Also there should be an opt out program, for those customers that NEED to have their smart meter removed.
I am about to refuse the installation of a smart meter because I am very sensitive to electromagnetic waves and the wall where they want to place it is 30cm from my head where I sleep for 8 hours each night. NO WAY!!!

Stan, Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:21 am:

Being sensitive to electromagnetic waves is a medical condition, I would refuse the new smart meter and cry discrimination if they try some special "non-smart meter" fee.

Jean, Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:21 pm: Reply

Smart meter was installed in our absence. I then complained to the provider on receiving a bill that was double the amount of usage. They seemed unconcerned. I then approached the Ombudsman to look into the matter. I have been told to pay off the bill while they investigate the matter and this would take long because they have a lot of complaints to look into. I am requesting them to program the meter to off peak and peak rates. Does anyone know how this will reduce next bill?

random, Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:28 pm:

as a random smart meter customer i cannot explain exactly why bills have doubled or even trippled since installation of some ppls smart meters,i moniter my power usage daily through the smart meter, running pv solar panels also- i have an off peak and on peak rate and use almost 3 times the power through off peak than on peak as im happily not home during the most days while majority of power is being generated through the panels,so i benefit greatly through this. heavily reliant on my electricity retailer to do their job correctly(to ensure im billed according to the power i use and payed back the excess power generated through the grid),my last power bill was somewhat dissapointing, ONLY because the company charged me the exported power to the grid including power i consumed,the meter is doing its job and i can read it, however it seems to confuse the hell out of my retailer( i will be changing companies if this continues)it took many calls to the company with complaints that something is not right on my bills before one person said OH IM SORRY IT SEEMS YOU HAVE BEEN TERRIBLY OVERCHARGED COMBINING MY USAGE WITH THE EXPORTED PWER in one figure on the bill!! Im incredibly sad they did not record the measurements correctly or possibly know what was what regarding the figures through the meter. . im not here to complain greatly about the meter but just sharing what i have regarding the topic, and anyone who does have a smart meter to read up any info about them (the model you have ), so you know how they work, especially if you do not have solar panels running,

Anonymous, Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:23 am: Reply

Check out TURN.org

t., Wed, 19 Oct 2011 04:29 am: Reply

they installed a smartmeter last week on my neighbors house (cincinnati, Oh) when they were out of town. When they came back they had no gas or hot water, the contractor just changed the outside boxes and didn't care if everything was working properly just hat he got paid.

Sam, Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:08 pm: Reply

Citipower said it scheduled a routine maintenance test for our smart meter. It has just taken place. It took an hour. Is there a serious problem with them that is being checked or corrected. They will not give any answer when asked what they are really doing.

Wendy, Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:45 am: Reply

Hello from Redondo Beach, CA...its so nice to read about your frustrations with the SmartMeter and know that I am not alone. We received SmartMeters here in 2010 as part of a "pilot program". This is a joke as there was no pilot, no testing, no forum for feedback from us guinea pig users. I have been fighting SoCalEdison ever since. My normal electricity bill would run around $100 ($150 in December). Ever since I received the SmartMeter, my bills average $300, the highest being $700. Needless to say, my electric bill is driving me to the poor house. I have opened many cases with the power company and filed a complaint with the California Public Utility Commission and now the Federal Communications Commission for interrupting my cell phones 3G coverage through AT&T. I can "hear" the electro-magnetic pulses of the "Queen" transceiver polling in the neighborhood. It shocked me the first time I felt it and I thought I was losing it until I read about other people experiencing the same thing. I work from my home and have had lost revenue from the interruption of my cell phone conversations and time spent on the phone resolving this issue. I am a computer technician and know a little about wireless communications so here's what I've learned. In 2010, California passed a bill mandating SmartMeters for all electrical users. At first they told us that they were being deployed to upgrade the SmartGrid infrastructure so that we as consumers could manage our electricity and control usage remotely. To date, Edison has refused to give me the SmartTools so that I can have the capability of figuring out "when, where, and how much" electricity I am using. Then I learned about the State mandate and that this effort was really being used to counter terrorism and provide a stable, monitorable electric grid. I recently also learned that it is technically possible to conduct audio surveillance with my SmartMeter via my home's fiber voice infrastructure (I also learned through Verison that California has also mandated a "copper underlay" along with my fiber install...why, I dont know. However, I do know that as a tech we used copper underlays to provide us a backdoor into our systems. Since my phone service appears to have an open circuit, I am now convinced this is done by design. Here's the other thing about the SmartMeter; it has the capability of starting and stopping individual appliances connected to the meter and can also launch a timed startstop to a remote sensor via its wireless interface. So in essense, Edison or some other terrorist, could install a wireless device on my property without my knowledge that is controlled by my SmartMeter and launched remotely. Since I have pipeline going under my property, this scares the shit out of me because I know the "local" Edison tech has access to this incredible power. I am in the midst of battling Edison and my State over this entire effort and in the meantime, have placed a copper garden pot over my SmartMeter. I'm so tired of being a guinea pig...and even more tired of paying for corporate America's revenue generating on us, the small people.

Nut Case, Fri, 21 Oct 2011 07:50 am:

Sorry but that is just plain right hilarious, I think you should do more "work" at home and less reading about conspiracy theories!

But thanks for a good laugh.
This will be on A Current Affairs soon, they love this type of story.

KillSmartMeters, Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:00 am:

Check your power bill for a meter number and compare it to the number on your meter. So Cal Edison hired subcontractors to install the meters in Redondo Beach and many meters where mixed up durning the install and put on the wrong homes. You could be getting your neighbors bill and they could be getting yours.

Carolyn, Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:16 pm: Reply

I have 3 phase power also connected to my home (for the garage)I am told because of this a Smart meter cannot just be installed. Just need to clarify as if this is the case I wont need to lock up my metre box and put up a sign. (Also bought this current home and moved in 8 months ago and checked my bills and I have Not yet received one form TRU Energy) Whats with that ??

Smart Meters, Fri, 21 Oct 2011 03:07 pm:

Not sure exactly what you mean, bu there are 3 phase smart meters, therefore yes you will have one put on you garage. It depends on your distributor as to when they start changing over the 3 phase meters, but most have already started.

As to the issue with your bill, you have to take that up with the retailer (TRU energy).

Michael, Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:16 pm: Reply

A thought

Does anyone know the wavelength the smart meters are broadcasting on? Can it be blocked?

Smart Meters, Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:33 am:

The most common Smart meter using the mesh network uses the ISM frequency band of 902-928MHz.
These bands have regulations that must be met by all devices uses them. I am sure you can block the signal but due to the legality of it, i doubt you will be able to do it for long.

Smart Meters, Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:33 am:

The most common Smart meter using the mesh network uses the ISM frequency band of 902-928MHz.
These bands have regulations that must be met by all devices uses them. I am sure you can block the signal but due to the legality of it, i doubt you will be able to do it for long.

Chris, Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:59 pm: Reply

"Others have reported in forums where smart meters using the 2.4GHz ISM band (to communicate with the suppliers) are causing interference to other devices that use the same band. They can cause problems with WiFi computer networks, bluetooth devices and AV senders that use the 2.4GHz band."

These devices send out signals once a month to BT. It is a text message. How many text messages do you/the average person send out whilst sat at home?

Smart Meters, Thu, 27 Oct 2011 08:28 am:

Smart meters do use the 2.4GHz ISM band for Zigbee communications, this is communicating to things such as In Home Displays. To be able to use the 2.4GHz band a device must transmit within regulations, but it must be able to receive all radio traffic at that frequency without failing.

The 2.4GHz is very messy with alot of wireless routers, cordless phones and many other devices using it. Yes the smart meter may interfere with other products on that band, but unfortunately it is not the smart meters fault as they are working with in the regulations of that frequency band.

john, Thu, 27 Oct 2011 07:22 pm: Reply

Can I enclose my smartmeter in a metal box to prevent myself from being exposed to the radiation generated by them? I understand that areas where they have been installed, a few years later there is a marked increase in unexplained health issues in the area. Energy suppliers deny such claims but that is natural.

Martin, Mon, 31 Oct 2011 06:05 pm: Reply

Can I flately refuse to have smary meter installed, and if so what are the consequenses and what protection (redress) do I have?

Smart Meters, Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:42 am:

As it stands at the moment (assuming you live in Victoria) you my refuse to have a smart meter installed, as most utilities are respecting this stance.
But soon this will not be the case, as it is law that every house in Victoria WILL have a smart meter. The thing that you need to know is that, you do not own our meter the utilities do and they have every right to change their meter. Jump on board and get it done early, cause it will be much easier in the long run.

Helena Varnsen, Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:06 am: Reply

I've had a smart meter installed and since have developed the following symptoms:
* Constant high level pitch when at home, wakes me up at night, haven't had a full nights sleep since this has been isntalled.
* Have developed vertigo since this has been installed. Have had a myriad of tests by doctors who tell me it's from eating too much salt and processed foods - I have a basic organic diet with no added salt (I don't eat processed foods as I am allergic to the additives) so I know it's definitely not my diet. There are days when I wake up in the morning and the room is spinning so I can't get out of bed until the room stops spinning.
* Regular migraines
* Sinus problems
* Muscle spasms and jerks
* Tingling oin my scalp in localised areas.
* and most interestingly, I had a pot plant under the meter, after a few months of constant radiation the plant has withered, I've since moved it away and it's starting to thrive again.

I would ask everyone to do this as an experiment:
1) Get two identical pot plants.
2) Place one under the SMART meter and the other as far away from the SMART meter as possible (the control sample).
3) Nurture them the exactly the same.
4) Every week at exactly the same time take a phot of each of the plants.
5) Post the photos online to compare the damage these things do.
Without proof the legal authorities won't intervene. If everyone does this, we can show that these emitters actually do cause damage.
The damage to peoples health won't be evident for a number of years and by then it will be too late.

cody, Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:52 pm: Reply

Interesting comments, i am in QLD due to have solar installed next week, when energyx come to connect me to the grid that is the digital meter, then later down the track do they try and install a smart meter??

Smart Meters, Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:29 pm:

At the moment it is only Victoria that is mandated to have smart meters.
Who knows QLD my be next. But yes if in time QLD mandates smart meters, then yes you will have your meter changed.

Brian, Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:55 pm: Reply

You do not have to allow the power company on your property unless they have a court order or its mandated under an emergency.
I know people with big fences and pit bulls and no one reads their meter they just estimate it.
So basically lock up your house lock up your power box, and they will just estimate your bill from the previous years.
They will never break in that is against the law.
But of course this could cost you money for example if you installed new appliances that use less power.
No doubt the so called "investigation" and "report" will just be a sham where they bribe the corrupt crooks doing it.
If the power company owns the meter then why do we have to pay for it? Do you not find this odd?If ive paid for the meter, then its MY meter I don't care what they say.Lets see them explain that in court.

Leanne, Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:21 pm: Reply

I would say that Smart Meters is on some one pay roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope it pays well. Because I don't know 1 person who is happy with the smart meter.

Smart Meters, Mon, 07 Nov 2011 03:01 pm:

No sorry i am not, i am just well informed, I know how the systems work and i now the Pros and Cons. Feel free to do a little research and stop jumping to conclusions!
And like i have said before on this website, if you would like to know anything feel free to ask, i am not just here to cause arguments i just want people to know the truth about the meters.

Bob, Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:57 pm: Reply

Leanne it does pay well, look into an ex Goldman Sachs banker named Cameron O'Reilly.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameron_O%27Reilly
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landis%2BGyr
His daddy is a rich Irish media tycoon mates with Rupert Murdoch and the Packers.He started an investment firm in 2003 with 100 million capital from investors such as John Fairfax media group, and the Singapore government.And its now in only 8 years worth 2 billion.He bought out Landis & Gyr the metering company for pennies, and sold it to Toshiba for 2.4 billion only years later.All based off this so called green metering technology.Which we are paying for.We are basically making O'Reilly and his Murdoch and Packer mates rich while we suffer.It is these people who are doing this to us by using their government favours and contacts and bribes to force this theft on us.Yet no one talks about these guys because they are to scared of them.These people are truly evil and the sad part is this O'Reilly goon is on the board of the Salvation Army.

JFI, Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:26 pm: Reply

Smart Meters
"A smart meter does not charge you a cent! A smart meter is a set of Bus Bars, current transformers, switches and Microprocessors. The current flows into the meter, through the bus bars (either import or export (if you have solar)) and then out the meter to the occupant. This current is measured by the CT's and then this measurement is stored into memory for power measurement. Smart meters have an accuracy class of 1.0 or are accurate to 1% at at ideal current ~10A. EVERY meter is verified before being installed"

Interested in how these things measure power.
You say they use CT for the current...If using an induction motor (load) our PF may be as low as .7, so we need 10 amps to flow through the CT, to provide only 7 amps in phase with the voltage for the motors needs (vector). Old meters charge for 7 real amps, will these multiply the 10A by the power factor offset.... or do they charge for phantom power.

Also with pwm power supplies, the crest factor will have high peaks (above the filter C), but use none of the waveform under the capacitor banks voltage (320vdc). How is this interpreted by the microprocessor?

How are the harmonics filtered out to stop misreadings of the current.

Are these tested in simple power measurements with PF=1 loads without spurious harmonics, or real world measurements.

I note the old spinning ones naturally solved these problems with their simple design, it could only charge for real power used, but what do these things really charge for?... and can this account for some of the interesting power bills folks seem to complain about.

Are the switches triacs, scrs, or relays? If silicon based, what protects from o/loads and transients.

If it runs on radio up-datable software, when the codes get released (and they will... wikileaks etc.) will hackers be able to control the chips.... what fun that will be.....

Smart Meters, Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:40 am:

Good Morning JFI

To answer your main point smart meters are full 4 quadrant meters meaning they can measure full real and reactive power. And as per AS 62052.11 all meters must be tested to .5 power factor. When it comes to handling harmonics it does not filter them instead it measures them as well, as this is part of the usage.

I will not go any further into the design of the meters, it is not my place.

hopfully that answers enough of your questions

anne, Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:09 pm: Reply

i am sat watching the installer in my street i have put asign up saying i dont want a smart meter but i will see what happens when he comes to my house after reading all this site i am not having one

anne, Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:09 pm: Reply

i am sat watching the installer in my street i have put asign up saying i dont want a smart meter but i will see what happens when he comes to my house after reading all this site i am not having one

Stop Smart Meters Australia, Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:20 am: Reply

Join the fight with us www.stopsmartmetersau.com

Anonymous, Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:55 am: Reply

Smart Meter, I was wondering if you could answer a question? We have all been hearing the energy minister state on the TV, Radio etc that Smart Metes are safe and have lower radiation emissions than other household devices that we all have like cordless phones etc. But many of us know people that appear to be getting sick from them. So the question is this. How can the radiation emissions from a smart meter be less than my cordless phone when my phone will only work within the confines of my own home? If I go out the back door the signal drops out as it is out of range of the base station. The Smart Meter must be able to transmitt futher than my cordless. So how can it's radiation emissions be less?

Bev "Angry Consumer", Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:15 pm: Reply

My electricity bill this time last year was $178, now after having a smart meter installed unbenown to me its now $491. I'm one person and I work all week. I turn everything off except the fridge at the powerpoint. My god who can afford this, these bastards are making a killing at our expense.

Jo, Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:29 pm:

I agree Bev, all my bills have almost tripled and all I get from TruEnergy is that the bill is accurate. I actually had a sign not to install the meters, but they went ahead and did so whilst we were out of the house.
We should get a few people to join and make a company to buy our own electricity from our supplier and not worry about going through our retailer. It's been done in Qld and people are saving 100;s if not 1000;s in the year.

John Wilson, Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:36 pm: Reply

Hi All,
You do have an option to refuse smart meters in victoria. I understand that under the Commonwealth Constitution you are denied your rights and maybe under the Commonwealth Crimes Act.
Remember these companies are commercial enterprises and City Power and Powercor in Victoria have a majority ownership held by a Chinese company in Hong Kong and the other by other internal interests. Therefore as a commercial company they are breaching the Trade Practice Act by using their power in the Market Place this needs investigation by ACCC, the commonwealth Ombudsman's Office and perhaps the Commonwealth Attorney General.
There is sufficient evidence to suggest they are potentially dangerous to human health, e.g. pace makers, fibrillaters, etc.
Evidence is available that put the blame for house fires on the installation of smart meters.
Next is the fact they are only a tool and a tool is only as good as its manufacture and use. The accuracy is being questioned worldwide
I do not believe it is intended to benefit the consumer. The industry has lobbied governments to have them installed so they can charge at peak period times. Stating you can change your usage times is an intrusion on your personal rights, e.g. sleep, recreation, family time, etc. It is the greed of industry that is looking at increasing profits in any way possible.
People have come home to find they have been installed despite having made it clear they did not want it. They have been told that once installed they cannot be uninstalled Why? Nonsense, they can be installed but these companies will argue to the government that it is a major cost on them to install them.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I understand the consumer has to pay for them!
Where I live, they are starting to install them. Correspondence via a carefully crafted letter implies that the customer has no choice, as it is a government mandate. Advertisement in the media does not inform the customer they have a choice.
Be aware that you (if you are alive) o0r your family may well able to sue and by default if the government allows the rollout to continue be vicariously responsible and could face individual or class action.
Put no trespass signs up, a sign telling installers they are trespassing, as you do not want the meter installed. Also send a letter to you Minister and also the CEO of the company. Fight for your rights and then at a time when you can be guaranteed benefit you can make a decision based on accurate and factual evidence, not PR promotion. Learn about you rights under the Commonwealth Constitution. It should be taught in our schools. The USA makes sure that their bill of rights is taught so why cannot our citizens be taught their rights. Our rights have been gradually eroded by vested interests, dis or misinformation and omissions. Thankfully, there is a new generation starting to question but the politicians and vested interests will fight to make sure you don’t know

Pat, Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:48 pm: Reply

We dont want these murder meters. Also see www.sparrowsinoz.com for oz info.

John Wilson, Sat, 19 Nov 2011 06:56 pm: Reply

What is puzzling about these smart meters is the Australian Electricity Regulator has approved a $60 increase to the power charges to the consumer. What is uclear is whether this increase a “one off". Cynically, I doubt it, so the $60 will become a permanent charge.
Wow! What an expensive toy the power company is attempting to foist on the public. Add that to the charge the Baileau government has added to "cover the cost" of installation. There is a rumour that you will be billed the unit again and also the installation.
Not sure about that, but if true then what a fraud and sanctioned by the government!
The point I would make, is that if you have to pay for it (whether once, twice or more) and not the company then surely you own it.
If you decide you don't want it then surely you can get rid of it. These companies have seen a wonderful opportunity dealing with gullible government to enforce products on the public.
I reiterate my comment, these are no longer public utilities but commercial companies and I believe they breach the Trade Practices Act by using their basically monopoly in the market place to force the public to pay more and more without too strong a control from governments.
Our Rights are gradually being eroded by vested interests supported by governments that appear to have a conflict of interest. The view appears, we are not interests in the citizens, we are here to govern for the rich and international vested interest groups.
I urge people to take an interest in your Australian Constitution and the commonwealth Crimes Act and you will understand how governments have manipulated the public into believing they have a mandate to change laws as they wish.
We should be lobbying the ACCC to investigate under the Trade Practices Act and contact the commonwealth Ombudsman’s Office to have the activities under Constitutional Law investigated and another would be to complain to the Commonwealth Attorney: Office and complain.

John wilson, Sun, 20 Nov 2011 10:38 am: Reply

Hi All,

I have been trying to findout whether these smart meters have been accredited and validate under the commonwealth Weights and Measurement Act. So far it appears it has not been. If this is true then the smart meter is illegal under the Weights and Measurement Act as well as the other Acts I have mentioned before. I would be interested to know if any other person has checked and what are their conclusions.
regards

Peter, Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:10 am: Reply

How I have got round the possible fitting of a “Smart Meter” and all the associated risks on my home and hopefully not only save our health but save on electricity costs too.

I am just about to commit to having a 2 kW solar system fitted to my home. Reasons, currently no matter how much I cut back on my electricity usage my average yearly bill is about 2,000 and rising. So the total cost of the preposed system is about 7,500 with government help this comes to a net figure of 5,000.

If I only save a conservative estimate of 1,000 each year and rising it would be the equivalent of having the interest of 20,000 dollars in a term deposit in the bank.

Also due to the possibility of the electricity company fitting of a "Smart Meter" if I did not have solar on my home. When you have solar on your home (No smart meter is fitted) These meters are reviled by many people and are said to emit dangerous levels of radiation and for some people unacceptable levels of life destroying noise.

Added to this I have removed all the deadly CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs) that government have foisted on us. They save little on electricity costs, contain deadly mercury, emit high levels of UV radiation so one in a reading lamp close to your head could cause skin cancer.

For some people the low levels of light and the flickering or strobing can cause headaches and depression. Also when crushed down by the millions into landfill the combined mercury dust could injure Garbage Dump workers and if that happen to breath the dust could be affected, if the mercury also seeps down into a water table a single gram of mercury (that is about half the size of a strawberry) it can pollute 4 billion litres of water.

So a better and safer alternative to CFL light bulbs are LED or the smaller 20 to 40 watt smaller incandescent bulbs.

In my own case the electric (smart meter would be fitted on the adjacent wall to the main bedroom only a few feet from where one sleeps. I had planned for an electrician to move the meters and box to the far end of the house, but I was informed the cost would be astronomical. Fitting Solar is the much cheaper and better option.

Even a small single panel 12-volt panel can save heap on power. If you fit 12 volt led lights throughout your home 25 standard LED lights are equal to just one 60 watt light bulb as they give good light and only use about 2 to 3 watts of power.

You can then simply plug an extension lead into your vehicles 12-volt battery. Having LED lights on most of the evening will not flatten your vehicles battery. So this means anyone with a car can have free lighting.

Or if you want buy a small single solar panel + car starter battery and a regulator and you can run your home lighting off this system, meaning never having to pay another cent for lighting.

In my home I fitted this system. The LED lights are guaranteed for 50,000 hours. In each bedroom I fitted a small plastic panel with a switch and coloured light. If you wake in the night and want to go to the bathroom or kitchen, you simply reach over and switch the light on. This switches on lights in the dining room, lounge room, kitchen and the two bathrooms.

If someone wakes in another bedroom they see a coloured light on the panel and this indicates someone is in the main bathroom so they simply go to the second bathroom.

After returning from a trip to the bathroom you simply climb back in bed, reach over and switch off the light. This is a great saver of electrical and human energy. This system is also used when there is a power outage from the mains electricity, we can light up the whole house with a single flick of the switch. I did a calculation on the normal short time we use these lights of convenience. The total came to 1 hour per week, as the bulbs are guaranteed for 50,000 hours they should last a thousand years.

Note: Other LED lights we use for normal use are on for several hours every night and we have never flattened the batteries. We also use the 12 volt system for lights over two phones, small entry lights near the two main doors, charging up our mobile phones, 12 volt to my workshop when working on 12 volt applications. 12-volt home alarm system. Cordless vacuum cleaner charged from system, Cordless landline phone.

One of my large aquariums used to be marine, Once each week I would do a 1,200 litre (That's about one ton) partial water change also once each week would climb in it for 20 minutes in diving gear with an air supply to clean the viewing glass and coral reef. The electricity costs where quite high. So converted it to fresh water tropical, still expensive to run with over 1,000 litres of water used to do a partial water change.

By fitting a small skylight over the aquarium electric lighting hour have gone from 8 hours each day to two in the evening. Instead of using 1,000 litres of water each week for water change I fill a 100-litre bin at one end of the house.

Once each day for one minute the 12-volt solar switches on a boat bilge pump for just one minute. This pumps water some 12 meters under my home. This slightly chills the water. When it enters the aquarium at one end it is like a cool mountain stream.

The slight rise in water overflows down an overflow drain. This causes a surface skimming action keeping the surface of the aquarium like a sheet of polished glass.
This wastewater loaded with fish nutriment then flows down the overflow and hence to a small vegetable garden.

Also at the turn of a valve on the return filter pipe water is diverted at no extra cost to 20- rain drippers over the aquarium. In the filter box I have installed two small pumps instead of a massively expensive large pump this type of large single pump has to run 24/7 365 days per year and when it finally burns out is quite expensive to replace.

So with the two small pumps running all day and during the night I alternately switch off one of the pumps thus once again saving on electricity and the pumps should last twice as long and will be cheaper to replace.

Another thin is sometimes I might leave (at no cost) the rain dripping on the surface all night. This oxygenates the aquarium and so no need for an electric air pump. The action of the rain on the surface not only oxygenates the aquarium but also creates "Negative Ions" this keeps the fish extremely healthy and also is good for ones health. It is a bit like the restful and relaxed feeling you get when there is a rainstorm.

The whole system has come together and is like magic. I never have to clean the inner part or viewing glass of the aquarium it stays spotlessly clean and I no longer have to don diving gear or climb into the aquarium.

As water will be the next item on the agenda to rise dramatically along with electricity it should help with the ever-increasing cost of energy and water and all this from a single second hand solar panel and two old car batteries and some wiring, total cost 600 dollars.

Best regards

Peter

Adam, Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:47 pm: Reply

()peter that is awesome i would liuke to do the same as i am 27 and have a wife with twins on the way i live out in the bush and want a healthy lifestyle for my children and wife i want to be self suficient i want to be "off grid" mate if u could throw some pics up that would be great or throw some up into photo bucket that would be a great help cheers in advance

Peter, Fri, 09 Dec 2011 01:17 am:

Hi Adam, I just wrote article on possible way to shield smart meter if needed. Some of the things you could try in your home is some sort of water feature, with dripping rain like action, the negative ions created by this will be extremely calming an healthy for you and your family.

Also large indoor cactus will soak up many harmful emissions along with the positive (tiring) ions that come from most electrical radiation. I believe Wall Street in the US have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on certain types of cactus these soak up radiation and positive ions.

Another thing whist you are justifiably concerned about the effect of health risks from a smart meter there are other things to consider. Living out in the bush I suppose you will have a wood burning fire. These can be quite a health hazard.

The smoke from a wood burning fire is equal to the exhaust emissions from 5 standard vehicles. The residue from wood smoke contains cryogens that can cause major health problems; along with smoke from burn offs and bushfires these cariogenic residues settle on the roof of your home or outbuildings.

So when it rains these can was into your water tanks causing a steady build up of toxins. One way to stop a lot of this rubbish flowing into your water tanks is to install a T piece in the down pipe just under the gutter. Then the vertical pipe needs to run down the side of your home and finish about a foot from ground level. Fit a removable cap on this.

Then at the right angle of the upper T piece run a pipe to your water tank. When it rains the first run off the roof will go down the vertical pipe. Taking most of the dust and rubbish of the roof. When the water reaches the upper level of the T piece it will then overflow into your water tank. Every so often you can remove the cap at the bottom of the vertical pipe and let all the leaves, dust and toxic rubbish run out.

Finally your water tank will still have toxic, carcinogenic pollutants in it, so to protect yourself and your family you can invest in a reverse osmosis filter just for your drinking and cooking water.

These filters can turn the filthiest water into water that is purer than rainwater and free from all the contaminants from wood smoke or fungus from your roof.

Where you may be worrying about problems from a smart meter there is also the hidden danger from the monster on your rooftop.

Best regards

Peter

Lyn, Mon, 28 Nov 2011 07:57 pm: Reply

There is a Public Forum on Smartmeters at the Pakenham Uniting Church Hall, James Street (MEL 317 8D)at 7.00pm, Wednesday 30th November. There will be Guest Speakers, personal experiences of the roll out and opportunities to ask questions. A gold coin donation is requested to cover costs and Carparking is available next to the Church. Limited number of books and Trifield meters will be available for purchase.

Marina, Fri, 02 Dec 2011 07:53 pm: Reply

Just received notice that the so called smart meter will be installed. I rang the supplier and said that I did not want the installation and also sent a letter as a backup. I have placed a sign on the meter with the legalities which can be found on google. No Smart Meters.

JustTheFacks, Sun, 04 Dec 2011 04:41 am: Reply

If a public official tells you Smart Meters are safe, take out a notepad and in front of them write down "On the date of xxx John Joe told me smart meters are safe" look them in the eyes and say are you sure?

marena, Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:28 pm: Reply

I would like to install solar energy but will not have a smart meter mainly because of health concerns - box is padlocked. Surely there must be a bi-directional meter that is not 'smart' and therefore safe...where can I get one, please? I'm prepared to go to local Member with this alternative.... Thanks, Marena.

Peter, Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:43 am: Reply

Hi I have read many items on smart meters and the fears of possible health hazards. I have also been in contact with several groups opposed to them. These are some of the things that apply to my own case.

Not wanting a smart meter fitted to replace the old meters on the outside of our bedroom wall. I consulted an electrician about moving the meter box to the far end of our home. He informed me it would cost several thousand dollars.

So on further investigation I was informed that installing solar system on my home would include what they call a Net Meter even though this meter uses similar technology to a smart meter the emissions are so low that there is no threat to health.

Also because the several old type meters the net meter will replace, these older type meters being noisy during the quiet evening hours can echo through hollow wall cavities and as the sound from the old meters becomes distorted it can pose an health hazard due to upsetting of sleep patterns. I was assured that the solar Net Meter that will replace the old meters would run close to silent.

As from what I can gather that the emissions from smart meters are similar to a cell or mobile phone, I was going to wait till after the solar system is installed then use a simple microwave and EMF emissions meter to see if there are any harmful emissions.

If there are I will simply strip all the wallpaper off the inside bedroom wall behind where the Electricity meter will be. Then paint the whole wall with special emissions shielding paint. Once this has dried I will glue a full sheet of Emissions shielding. Once this has dried I will then Re-wallpaper the wall.

Someone told me earlier today that the emissions from smart meters emit the same type of emissions as a mobile or cell phone.

So just out of curiosity (and you can try this simple test. I wrapped my Mobile or cell phone in metallic baking wrap. Then from my landline phone I tried several times to place a call. The mobile would not receive a signal or send a call.

So shielding of a meter might be as simple as using a sheet of metallic baking wrap. Best way I think is to wait till my own solar system is installed then run some simple tests.

If you already have a smart meter installed and are worried about your health you could try checking out with a microwave tester or EMF meter. If these tests indicate high levels (or any levels) you could try placing a sheet of metallic baking wrap on the inside wall behind the electricity meter and see if it blocks any emissions.

I am sure that there are much more suitable materials out there than (metallic baking wrap) that will give you complete protection.

Even better if the company that fitted the smart meter to your home should come to your home (at their expense) and install effective shielding on the inside walls behind their installed smart meter so that NIL emissions of any kind threaten you or yours.

Best regards

Peter

Peter, Fri, 09 Dec 2011 01:51 am: Reply

After reading the many comments on smart meters there seems to be a lot of cases were installers have just rolled up to someone’s home and forced the fitting of these meters.

In my own case I ordered solar power and then contacted a reliable local Level 2 electrician to order the Net meter and to fit it when the solar system is installed on the roof.

A lot of the wording pertaining to wiring mix-ups and fires strikes a note a bit like the Government insulation scheme that was rushed through and in many cases unqualified or badly trained inexperienced workers made several stuffups that cost lives and damaged property,

Maybe it might be a better idea if you as the property owner could choose the level 2 electrician, instead of some incompetent person doing a faulty installation on your home.

Sometimes I ask myself what has happened to our rights and freedom of choice.

Regards

Peter

maria t, Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:50 am: Reply

Hi all, I have a house in Avoca just north of Ballarat (lots of great wineries, highly recommend a visit!). Last year I split my time 50/50 between Melbourne and Avoca, but this year due to work demands I have been located almost exclusively in melbourne. A smart meter was installed with no notification at all early this year. Since the installation of the meter the elecricity bill has exactly doubled...despite the fact I have been located almost exclusively in melbourne this year!! The only thing on in the house is the fridge...no lights, no tv, no heaters...so how can a doubling of the bill be justified??? If any lawyers are reading this and are working on a class action, please include me - I can prove via work records that I have not been living at the house. This is a complete rip-off. A complete GOVERNMENT SANCTIONED rip-off.

Oblivion, Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:30 pm: Reply

Well! regardless of all the 'NO NO and Many other NO's' Above!

The Gov review has come to an end and for all thoes who have deferred the installation of the Smart Meters. You will now be getting one regardless...

And yes the AMI Mass Roll Out of the Smart Meters have been made official that it will be going ahead and deadline to have all Smart Meters installed is by 2013.... Good luck everyone going against these Smart Meters..

You've just got to suck it up now and have it installed... Oh well ...

Blasphemy, Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:28 pm: Reply

The Bailleu government can scratch and sniff!

Someone has paid someone off big time and the lame excuse says it all.

This babysitting big brother is watching you society is balls.

Keeping the lock on my meter. If everyone did the same there wouldn't be so many installed now to give them the excuse.

Anonymous, Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:30 pm: Reply

the slam rally people marched 20,000 strong, on the victorian parliment to stop the government of the day trying to close down places like the tote hotel at collingwod, dont you think its time Australian public march on all their parliments and do the same, show them your vote matters and if they dont care then get out of the job, believe me they listened when we raised our fists, and voices, and blocked the streets if you dont stand up you have no power at all the younger generation also needs to get out of their houses and out from behind all their devices and fight as well the rich will not stop till their control every part of your life do nothing now an count the costs into the future financial and health wise this will get you all no matter how they package it or market it we were all warned in the past about cash card tellers when we got our pay in yellow paypackets and no on listened then do we just continue to let them fxxk us all

Jess, Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:32 pm: Reply

Special thank you to the Bailleu government for putting Australian Dollar ahead of the safety and wellbeing of the Australian people.

Bravo

matt-elec, Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:12 pm: Reply

im an electrician and know alot of people that install the smart meters and know a way around having to install a smart meter. install a power point or switch on the meter panel it doesn't need to be connected just a dummy will do and legally they cant touch the meter until that switch has been removed or relocated

GrumpyBear, Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:14 pm: Reply

If I read this correctly, even with a smart meter installed we still have a choice:

http://www.energyaustralia.com.au/nsw/residential/products_and_services/electricity/powersmart_home/faq#Q8

Q8. If I am not satisfied with PowerSmart Home rates can I revert back to the Domestic All Time rates?

A: Yes, if you find that PowerSmart Home rates are not suitable you can then change back to Domestic All Time rates. We can also help by calculating to see if you would be better off on PowerSmart Home rates or Domestic All Time rates.

Please note: We allow customers to change twice, so a PowerSmart Home customer can opt out and they can opt in. However, this is the maximum number of changes permitted.

GrumpyBear, Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:57 am:

UPDATE: Attempted to calculate the cost based on my own power bill and I came out better off on the smart meter. Spoke to Energy Australia and they confirmed my own calcs - since April 2010 I've saved nearly $500 over what I'd be paying on the non time-of-use meter.
It really comes down to how (ie when) you use electricity. Know the times when the rates vary and avoid running power hungry devices in those times where possible. i.e. pool pumps, ironing, tumble drying, plasma TV's etc.

Anonymous, Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:47 pm: Reply

You can save with Smart meters if you do not use power between 3pm and 11pm weekdays, which is 30 cents a kWh. Poor pensioners frying in the summer heat, their bills will double and that's not fair for anyone. It still costs the same to generate electricity all day 5c a kwh.

Dick Biggs, Sat, 24 Dec 2011 06:02 pm: Reply

They installed a smart meter on my house today.It actually took 4 electricians to install the damn thing, two held me down one to kick me in the ribs and one to change the meter I hate it already.

ben, Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:50 pm:

you are a total dick.

anonymous, Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:44 pm: Reply

URGENT URGENT URGENT.
Some people like smart meters, but some others do not.
Vic power minister Michael O'Brien's Malvern electorate is a focus of the smart meter rollout from Mon 9th January 2012. United Energy letters were sent out over the Xmas School holiday period and the first that some people will know about it will be when they see the shiny new "smart?" meter in the meter box, left by Santa (AKA Service Stream and United Energy.)

anon, Sun, 08 Jan 2012 03:52 pm: Reply

what a bunch in whinging sooks, get over it there is fuck all radiation comming out bunch of ludites

Anonymous, Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:21 pm: Reply

Check out Stop Smart Meters Australia stopsmartmeters.com.au

marena, Sun, 22 Jan 2012 01:13 pm: Reply

I am wanting to install solar panels but will not have a 'smart' meter...I would have the bi-directional meter that was installed pre-2009, for solar power users/makers. Whom can I get to legally intall/provide one of these? Any ideas?

Sojin Muneshi, Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:23 pm: Reply

Its surprising how easy mass hysteria and mis information can spread online.

Do try to balance the "information" you receive here and via U-Tube, and ACA with some real information!

http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/smart-meters/safety

have a good read of the NATA Test report in regards to the Electromagnetic and RF "radiation" levels from smart meters.

http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/smart-meters/publications/reports-and-consultations/ami-meter-em-field-survey-repor

Eva, Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:07 pm:

I think YOU need to get with the times, and checkout youtube for ORIGIN energy and POWERCOR!!
then by your words anyone taking any notice of anything from youtube you will now need to add
these power companies to your list of people/groups/companies who must be ignored?

Eva, Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:11 pm: Reply

check this article out for it now seems that BREAK-INS ARE ACCEPTABLE behaviour by electricity providers.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion/rex-jory-privacy-trampled-yet-no-one-cares/story-e6freagu-1226263131150

Confused, Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:06 pm: Reply

I find it all rather confusing. I'm not an electrician or lawyer & I do not
under any circumstances trust the current
government or their opposition. To me, they're
all liars, swindlers, hustlers & back-biters.
I do know that I'm having a very hard time
getting by with current utility bills, rent & food costing as high as they are now. I cannot literally afford any technology that increases costs either financially or physically.
How sad to live with pseudo democracy & apathetic neighbours.

WebDevSys

Say No > Say No to Smart Electricity Meters - Overcharging - Rip Off - Smart Meter Radiation Problem

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