Smart Metering Trial
Comments
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Looks like there is an additional reduction for more people, initially at least. The cost per night for one drops by the £3 reduction (mentioned for May) between 16th and 17th. Whilst for two adults the reduction is £4.40, three £5.80 four £7.20. Unfortunately beyond the start of the trial there is no actual proof, as since DP started we don’t have a price list.
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This is most likely a response to the increasing use of electric vehicles
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The more i think about it the more it seems like a good idea, it will make people more environmentally aware of their usage of electricity ,and make those who think it is an environmentally friendly idea to heat an non insulated awning ,maybe it is not that good an idea
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I agree totally with Twos more than one's comment. I once had a conversation with a gentleman on site who informed me that they left an electric heater on in the awning permanently, go figure the logic to that one, I failed.
Just so long as this is implemented as fairly as possible only has to be for the good.
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At long last I have received a reply to my request for the price of metered electricity and this was the reply:-
Good Morning David,
Thank you for taking the time to contact the Club to share your suggestion. I have passed this to the appropriate staff, as well as other areas of the Club as part of our ongoing improvement. Due to the volume of feedback received, we are unable to offer a response.
If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind Regards,It seems a very strange reply given that all I asked for was a simple piece of information? Interestingly the reply came from a no-reply mailbox so make of that what you will!
David
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I am not one of those who thinks that the club hierarchy should get involved in the discussions area of CT; they'd be on a hiding to nothing and it is no surprise to me at all that, aside from the occasional post from Rowena, they do not get involved; it is more of a surprise to me that people think that the powers that be should engage in threads in this place.
However, if someone raises a specific and perfectly reasonable request through direct contact with the club, I would expect a clear and unambiguous reply. It looks to me that this is a stock, precomposed response and I find it incredibly frustrating that so many organisations, these days, think they can get away with such dismissive responses. Whether you see this as merely "strange", or rather more at the level of outrageous, it is clear that it singularly fails to address the point at issue and to use "volume of feedback" as a reason for not answering a simple question is actually, when you stop to think about it, laughable.
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It will be very interesting when the trial starts to look at feedback from site reviews. Perhaps they are going to try and get away without defining a price per Kw hour. Not sure if that is legal or not. You will be able to monitor the minute by minute cost online, so perhaps it is. Many folk don’t have a clue about Kw hours anyway and would just be looking at how much a day it costs them.
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I think after all the horrors of price rises many will know what KWH means...
However the shock will be the difference between home rates and the now unknown CAMC rates. I really can't see how the club can get away without informing people, especially if someone asks them? I'm thinking of CLs etc where meters are used and I'm sure the owners would let you know if asked in advance.I presume the CAMC have done guestimates regarding the pitch reductions but what is that based on, is there an average user out there?
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This is from the Ofgem regs which someone linked to earlier and substantiates the thoughts I posted way back in this thread. The last para applies to resale by metering.
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Thanks TW. I guess that means we will have to wait and see if anyone who uses the site posts the rate. As the rest of us aren’t actually purchasing it, I suppose we don’t have a right to be informed. Given that most folk will hook up to the electric, it is very poor they are not prepared to indicate the cost to anyone currently booking, who will have no option but the take part in the trial if they want electric.
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It would perhaps be logical for the rate per kWh to be displayed at the point of sale, Steve. I can appreciate that the price could be different at each site but there’s no good reason, as far as I can see, for CAMC to employ obfuscation as they seem to be doing. Publish and be damned!
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When you look at the site web page it is full of contradictions. There is a banner on the picture referring to metering, and in the spiel about the site there is a paragraph similar to the original post, but the rest is as normal I.e. pitch with ehu. Now I know that means hook up and not electricity but it isn’t until you get to the small print that it says electricity charged on top. There is no reference to reduced prices, it is just what it is plus electricity. The site map says electricity is included in the price! On the face of the page there is no reference to needing to register with websites or apps. I would have thought that at this point in the trial the more information given before booking, the better.
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People keep saying that heating a non insulated awning is not environmentally friendly and/or not that good an idea, but is towing a caravan or driving a MH hundreds and/or thousands of miles environmentally friendly? Off topic but has been discussed a few times.
Or do people have some elastic sense of being environmentally friendly, yes my 'green' sense tells me that is ok, but I'll pass judgement on anything else past that point?
These are just some rhetorical question and I'm not going to enter into any debate about it it's just my point of view, but until people use LVs like in the photo, I'll really not going to pay much attention to anyone telling anyone else what they should be doing to be more environmentally friendly with a caravan/MH. I know I'm a bad person, or rather people may think that to be more accurate, but I'll live with that.
To finish back on topic, if and when I use a site with metering I can assure you it will not make me more aware, environmentally and moneywise of my usage, I'll simply use what I need to enjoy my holiday, I don't have an awning anymore worth heating but if I did I would still use it. Just as much as I used a hot tub in just above freezing temperatures in December. Yes I'll be paying my 'own way' (I was before actually just like any all inclusive holiday and in the cottage) but that's a different matter to being environmentally friendly.
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I can only assume (and perhaps hope) that before the trial starts the cost of the electricity will be displayed somewhere?
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Just received this email from the Club, regarding our Cup Final long weekend at Denham.
Fingers crossed we won’t be cancelling 😱.
Dear Pliers,We hope you’re looking forward to your stay at Wyatts Covert Club Campsite from 31 May 2023 to 04 June 2023.
Exciting news - from 17 May 2023 we’re trialling smart metering at Wyatts Covert Campsite and you will have the option to take part when you stay with us. If you do take part in the trial you would only pay for the amount of electricity you use during your stay. This is something many members have been asking for and we’re really pleased to be able to trial it this year!
Please note: the option to take part in the trial is only available for your existing booking (made prior to 5 April 2023). If you amend your booking or make a new booking at Wyatts Covert Club Campsite you will automatically be included in the trial and the new price will exclude electricity.
How does this work?
Smart Metering enables us to measure the amount of electricity consumed by members and guests when plugging into the electrical hookup (socket on the bollard) allocated to your pitch. Similar to how many of us use a smart meter at home, we will only charge you for the precise amount of electricity you use. This allows us to reduce your campsite fees and puts you in control of how much electricity you use.What does this mean for me?
You don’t need to do anything until you arrive at the campsite. As you have an existing booking at Wyatts Covert for 2023 you have the option of taking part in the trial. If you choose to take part we will reduce the price of your original booking when you arrive and you will be able to pay only for the electricity you use. You can of course decide not to take part in the trial and therefore your booking will be unaffected.We’ve calculated the reduction in your booking for you below…
The original total price for your booking with electricity is £221.16
The updated total price for your booking without electricity is £209.86
Reduction total £11.30 for your stay
Reduction average £2.83 per nightIf you take part in the trial you have the freedom to choose the amount of electricity that’s right for you and only pay for what you consume - use a little less and save when staying with us, plus, of course reduce your impact on the environment.
How do I opt into the trial?
You don’t need to let us know you want to opt in until you arrive at the campsite. When you check in, please let our site staff know that you would like to take part in the Smart Metering trial. You’ll then pay the updated total price for your booking without electricity. If you have paid in full already, our site staff will arrange for the price reduction to be refunded to your account.Do I need to do anything ahead of arrival?
Ahead of your arrival, we would recommend you set up a Smart Meter online account, so you can add funds in advance of your stay. However, you can wait until you are onsite. For more information and a step by step guide, please visit camc.com/smartmeteringWhat do I do once onsite?
Our site team will be on hand to help with any queries when you arrive. If you decide to take part in the trial the set up is designed to be as simple as possible:
Simply plug into the bollard allocated to your pitch
Login to your Smart Meter online account and select your pitch number
Start your power
As you use electricity, payment will be drawn down from your online account balance during your stay. To ensure a continuous supply of electricity, your account will require sufficient funds loaded.For further information and frequently asked questions, please visit camc.com/smartmetering
We hope you’re excited to be one of the first to trial Smart Metering and that you have a wonderful stay at our Wyatts Covert Club Campsite.
Kind regards,
Anthony Davies
Director of Sites and Accommodation2 -
Thanks Pliers.
It still doesn't make any mention of price per kWh though. Be interesting to see if they actually divulge it to you when you stay. You may even have to sign a NDA.
Enjoy your trip as I'm pretty sure City will get to Wembley. We've been to site before and it has easy access.
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Pliers. it seems that you will have the choice to have metered or not. Without the cost information it could be difficult to decide which is best?
I have persevered with my previous email. Whilst I am no further forward regarding the price at least the reply was a little more comprehensive, in the end suggesting that I could discuss the detail with the site. This was the reply:-
Hi David,
Thank you for your reply. It is very difficult to provide a specific unit cost until you are plugged in at the site, at which point the costings will be provided to you.
This is because you only pay for what you consume, and the amount it costs will depend on your personal usage. How much you have plugged in at a given time will impact the cost.
We understand there may be concerns that the Club is profiting from this electricity usage. However, this is not possible. OFGEM regulates electricity charges, and will only allow us to pass on the direct charge with a slight allowance for install and ongoing charges. But the Club cannot profit. It's also worth noting that we are treated as a commercial location, and are subject to a higher unit rate than domestic properties.
I hope this helps. Should you not be satisfied with the information we are able to provide here at head office, please contact either of the sites directly. I have listed their telephone numbers below. They will be happy to try and answer any further queries you may have. Should you reach a voicemail, you can leave an answerphone message requesting a call-back.It didn't cross my mind that the Club would profit from switching to charging for electricity, beyond the saving they might make by not including it in the price. Strange they are reluctant to be tied down on price. We will have to wait until you visit the site or another member to get the information.
David
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It seems to me that the question had been (deliberately?) misunderstood 🤷🏻♂️
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Since the trial is only taking place at 2 sites I would have thought the price per KWh would be known now, unless they have to change plans soon or are on a variable tariff. Surely they could say that as of today, write the date in to ensure clarity, the price per KWh is £x for both sites or £y for... £z for..... Clarity and clear communication seems beyond the club and mystery seems to be flavour of the month. Also referred to as the mushroom method when I worked 😉.
I agree with Tinwheeler I think that your first email was deliberately misunderstood and the latest leaves any leg work down to you and the site staff. Tgey hope youll not persue further??? Pliers email indicates the same. How can you make a decision without the full facts? Are there folks considering a different career in the future? Politics 😉😉
As far as Pliers booking is concerned, and I presume others who booked before, they will be able to go on the same terms as they booked, but they can't work out at this stage if it'll be beneficial going metered.
It matters not to me but I'm an interested observer. I could use less words in my post or more words, my choice but no financial gain either way 🤐🤣
Edit typo made trial into trail,confused.com either way 😳
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I may be incorrect but I understood no allowance could be made to the metered cost.
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A slight amendment.
Standing charges can be included but that will be extremely difficult to apportion in pitch nights. That is the only "slight allowance" allowed and not installation/maintenance costs unless Ofgem and CAMC have reached an exceptional agreement.
A little openness would avoid this speculation.
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I’ve just received notification that my 5 night stay at Wyatts Covert will be reduced in price by £2.20 a night if I take part in the trial. I am quite prepared to do this. What I am NOT prepared to do is log in and register with a different organisation and set up a Smart Meter online account. ! Why can’t the payment be taken from your credit card by the club at the end of my stay?
Have the powers that be no sense ?
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