How do I understand my electricity meter?

Claire_lks

I moved in to rented accommodation in the summer and have, unfortunately, got a pre payment meter. Whilst we haven't been spending that much on electricity we have started spending more due to having the heating on. I work from home and try not to put it on during the day, although it's tempting as we only have single glazed windows!!

I didn't think we'd been doing too badly until I put money on yesterday lunch time and checked this evening to find I'd used £2 being in the house on my own!! Yes I had used the washing machine the night before but hadn't used the oven and had thought I'd probably have used less energy than usual.

I have a TaleXus key meter but can't seem to find any advice anywhere that tells me how to understand the meter. There is a little red light that seems to come on sometimes although I can't figure out if it's when I am using more energy.

I'm quite good at general energy saving, turning things off etc, but I can't see how I am meant to improve this if I don't even understand the readings I can get off the meter.

If anyone can help it would be most appreciated!

reactor_3

Is it one of these?
http://www.actaris.com/html/products-385.html
I assume it must have some sort of read out (dials or digits displayed).
If it does make a note of them every day then it should be possible to work out
what they are. If it's electric it should be in kilo-watt hours.

Does the red light mean you are using power? Or that your credits are running out?
Try turning off everything that uses power (don't forget the fridge) and see what happens to the light, and then again when you turn stuff on.
Mabe it comes on when you are using a certain amount?

There is/was a big hike in prices at about this time of about 30% for most people, would that explain it?
I would imagine washing machines a fair bit of energy, especailly if it is
a washer dryer.

Pixie28

When the red light is flashing it means that electricity is being used.

To read your key meter, press the blue button to cycle through the display, and here is what each screen displays;

A - Credit available
B - Display test
E - Total credit accepted
F - Total fixed charge (weekly standing charge + debt recovery rate)
G - Total kwh used
H - Total day rate kwh
I - Day rate pence per unit
j - Total night rate kwh (only visible if you are on a 2 rate meter)
K - Night rate pence per unit
S - Total debt set on meter (only visible when the key is inserted)
T - Total debt recovery rate (only visible when the key is inserted)

You will also have a screen "l" and "m" if you are on a 3 rate meter. You may want to check screens "S" and "T" to make sure that there is no debt left on the meter by the previous tenant. If there is, ring your supplier so that they can arrange for it to be reset.