The end of warrant work ??

[london_lad]

I do warrant work nearly everyday and having spoke to a few gas and electric engineers recently, it looks as though locksmith's won't be needed in the near future.

A new type of gas and electric meter is currently being made in New Zealand which are called smart meters. They have a chip inside which can send meter reads and consumption levels to a central computer. The central computer has the ability to switch the meter to a prepayment if bills are not being paid, meaning no entry will be required to the property. The new meters will start being fitted as early as next year.

Obviously it will take years to change every meter in the UK, but it could mean the end of locksmith's being needed by utility company's

[Beyond]

I do warrant work nearly everyday and having spoke to a few gas and electric engineers recently, it looks as though locksmith's won't be needed in the near future for gas and electric meter work.

There, fixed it for you.

[london_lad]

Thanks Beyond, your a life saver !

[JackNco]

these things were developed in the UK years ago. or at least a version of them was. back around the early/mid 90s they were testing them in the south sending signals down the power lines.

I wouldn't worry about it. the cost of replacing them all would FR out way the cost of warrants. in fact the cost of the actual meters is probably far higher when considering the percentage of warrants performed.

John

[london_lad]

I have been reading about these smart meters online and apparently a few thousand have been fitted in South London already.

It's more to do with the cutting energy levels than saving costs for the utility company's. Over a period of years they would save money in less personnel anyway.

http://www.computing.co.uk/computing/ne ... art-meters