Electricity Meter Loophole?

John_Faill

I am currently with Atlantic Electricity and Gas. I am seriously cheesed off by the way they have handled their recent price increases (I was promised that they wold not pass on any increase until April 2009). I have been thinking of ways in which I can dispute the amount they are now charging me. I may have come up with somthing a little more sneaky than I was originally looking for. I have heard from someone in the trade (this will need to be checked) that the Govenment have set targets for all electricity suppliers to replace domestic meters every 10 years. I checked my meter, and it has 1985 printed on it. My thinking is this: if an electricity meter is more than 10 years old, how can anyone be sure it is giving the correct information? In other words, how can the utility companies be billing us correctly? It would be nice if I could negotiate a discount with Atlantic based on this.
I am posting this here because I am sure that there are thousands of out of date meters accross the country, that are over this alledged government deadline. Does anyone have any thoughts on how this theory can be prooved?

espresso

Not all types of meter have the same service life e.g. some meters have a life of 20 years or more. Modern electronic meters which contain a battery, are usually replaced on a 10 year cycle as the batteries are not replaced in situ.

"I was promised that they wold not pass on any increase until April 2009" No supplier makes promises like this on non fixed tariffs, however their prices are very likely to fall before then.

John_Faill

Just a guess, but as the time clock connected to my meter is 12 hours out, and is now 23 years old, it is probably past its sell by date.
Atlantic told me they would not be putting prices up when I first called them enquiring about a capped tarriff, when the costs first started going up. They said they did not do a capped rate at the time, but I would have plenty of time to decide what to do, as they were not going to put prices up until April.

espresso

John_Faill wrote: »

Just a guess, but as the time clock connected to my meter is 12 hours out, and is now 23 years old, it is probably past its sell by date.

So report it then but it won't affect the price that you pay per kWh.

WhistleBlower

Request a meter accuracy test (Known as a MAT) However some companies will charge you if it turns out your meter is actually correct.

espresso

WhistleBlower wrote: »

Request a meter accuracy test (Known as a MAT) However some companies will charge you if it turns out your meter is actually correct.

Surely all companies will charge for a meter test, if the meter is found to be registering correctly.

WhistleBlower

espresso wrote: »

Surely all companies will charge for a meter test, if the meter is found to be registering correctly.

Not a clue, i know NPower do, but then i work for them

spiro

Suppliers can do two checks; a simple one just involving the engineer switching load on and off and checking the readings and a complex one which involves fitting a 2nd meter (check meter) which they in place for a period of time to ensure the are both recording the same consumption subject to the allowed tolerance. You'll normally be charged for both if the meter is found to be accurate. The governments target for a 10 year replacement program is for the switch from dumb to smart meters.