I’m very disappointed to see the latest link between the RSPB and smart energy GB.
Firstly there’s the ridiculous statement that “the humble smart meter in your home has a major impact on how we protect and nurture our wildlife” - maybe someone should have read this carefully before publishing as it’s obvious nonsense!
Secondly, what about the considerable effect on the environment of all those engineer visits, not to mention the huge number of working energy meters that end up being scrapped?
in addition there’s the £13bn cost to the country of installing these meters. What about spending that on protecting and nurturing our wildlife (or even on feeding hungry children or fighting COVID)?
Getting involved with this thorny subject and in essence in politics is, in my opinion, a mistake. I am usually a strong supporter of the RSPB but I’m afraid tharI’ll be scaling back my support from now on.
Best wishes
Hazel in the Gironde estuary, France
In reply to Noisette:
This must be what hes talking about Hazel www.rspb.org.uk/.../ I am sick of being offered one here in Scotland and until it becomes law that we all must have them installed I shall keep refusing as heard so many horror stories about them!
(Pardon the Scottish Accent)
I believe they're also a nightmare for people who have them installed.....but live in areas where mobile signal is 'limited'. We agree they're not worth having. I do think there is a place for them in terms of educating people who aren't aware tumble driers use a lot of energy for example. Nothing wrong with a washing line for at least six months of the year......Likewise, swapping for energy saving lightbulbs saves energy.....so if people aren't aware of those types of things, the meters help.....but otherwise, they aren't worth having and are a waste of resources IMO. Having said that, charities are finding it hard to raise money this year, so I wouldn't knock them for collaborating with businesses to open up new revenue sources.
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Find me on Flickr / All about your camera - The Getting off Auto Index
First, I'm not a fan of smart meters, but that is me personally, but then we keep a close watch on the gas and electricity we use.
However, for some folk who are absent mended, it could be a beneficial way of saving money on their energy bills, particularly if they leave a light on in a room when the vacate it, which indirectly, should help the environment.
As for old meters being scrapped, later ones they are often refurbished and reused when a meter has gone faulty enabling quick replacements without the need to try and repair. I know, because a few years ago, we had four in the space of a week, and I asked the gas engineer why they kept going faulty.
The old ones that are not up to the latest legislation will be stripped and many components recycled or in some cases, reused.
I'm also well aware that many recycling processes are not as environmentally friendly as we believe. It really is worrying when we ship stuff across the seas to other countries to deal with, or just dump and leave to rot over hundreds of years!
However, one thing to keep in mind, statistics can be made to tell the story the statistician, or the person(s) employing the statistician wants to tell, so be very aware of many energy and environment saving claims, from all sources, and one in particular which is close to my heart, is electric vehicles.
Mike
Flickr Peak Rambler