Smart Meters

[The Dog Walker]

I've just read the Latest Headlines, regarding Smart Meters, and noted that Australia and Canada have both said they're too expensive. Germany has rejected them, saying they are not cost effective. The EU have their own ideas about compulsory installation, within a time limit, but what do folks here in North Cyprus feel about them. One person in UK was delighted with hers, said she could read instantly how much electricity she had used, and could economise accordingly. So far, not only can I not 'read' ours, it's obviously quite different from the UK ones,-- but neither have we received a bill or a text.
Other than a trip to Girne, is there any way of finding out how much we owe? Suggestions please.

[MoBry]

We moved from Victoria, Australia, when the government started installing smart meters, with the most disadvantaged areas first. If you're retired, unemployed or disabled, the meters were disastrous as they had the highest charges around mid-morning to mid-afternoon, when those at work didn't accumulate charges, but those at home during the day were penalised the most. They're a real con trick, out to rip off consumers, not give you control of your power usage.

[Deniz1]

Take an old bill to any bank they will tell you how much is owing.

[The Dog Walker]

Thanks for advice, went to Bank, friendly, helpful people, no problem-- but best of all, we owe nothing, since the account was in credit!

[kibsolar1999]

Hi, sorry for late reply.
Smart meters are introduced in N. Cyprus, because the old one are in need ( wrong, usually too low readings) to be changed anyway.
i dont know which model you have, maybe the Iskraemeco mx 382 from slovenia, but all have a button where you can make some readings..
eg, 1..8.0 for positiv energy = total use, or
2.8.0 for negative energy = if you have a PV solar system, the total feed in (which will be deducted from the total use = net metering)
all smart meters are gsm-gprs connected. meaning, readings will be done remote.
as kibtek must modernise (save costs) you also will not get, sooner or later, any electricity bills any more.
instead, you can register at kibtek.com and get your bills from there, also a sms service is available for actual amount owed.
Regards
Kibsolar

[sophie]

kibsolar, strange you should say SMS is also available. That's the only way we find out what we owe. So far its been pretty spot on. however the one draw back is, if for some reason Kibtek haven't updated their figures with Credit West, then when we go to pay, we can't do so because CW haven't got the wherewithal. Then we go in a few days later to pay, CW have been updated but we have a 5tl "fine" for late payment! As to when we use the most electricity during the course of a day really depends on the time of year.

[Leither]

I have already posted a reason why these meters and the systems were binned in uk.These are pulse meters they operate on the system of electric running through the cables which pulses.Unfortunately there are various things that cause the pulse to blip or infact multiply itself onto the users meter,most companies know what they are and will not say,does that explain why Kibtec installed them.

[kibsolar1999]

sophie,
- you can register at kib tek website and get access to your detailed bill. with an SMS you only get the amount to be payed.
- yes, you are right... there are some difficulties with the coordination with banks and fines for late payments..
the only way is.. complaint, complaint...
- the beauty of a PV solar net-metering system is that you do not need to use the power of the sun immediately.
when you are not at home, you feed daytime the grid , collect credits and you can use the credits during night or next day. or, if you come for holidays only, you can collect credits for a couple of month and use them when in cyprus.

leither
well yes. but at least these smart meters are more accurate as the old Ferraris ones from sometimes pre 74 times..
and... a monthly manual reading is not appropriate any more in these modern days..
kibsolar