wrong electric meter reading

follyfoot

Since last year I have been trying to establish with my electric provider why their actual meter reading never matched mine. They always responded with I am reading the meter wrong and sent me a four digit reading instead of a 5 digit reading. I have now found out they have been reading my neighbours meter and billing me and vice versa. however when i looked at the meter they should have been reading it was more than double the meter reading i thought was mine. Is it possible there could be some electrical fault with an appliance since the meter reading is so high and the property is new build and supposedly economical to run? Also where do i stand with the debt I maybe plunged into once the supplier starts demanding the outstanding balance - the supplier said the developer probably gave them the wrong details for the meter?

Magentasue

Why do you think the meter is wrong? How many kwh a day/week/month or quarter?

follyfoot

the supplier came out and checked the meter by switching off all my electricity

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi

It sounds as though the meter details were mixed up when your account was first set up. Check your meter serial number. This is on the front of the meter.

If this is different from the one on your bills you have what is known as a crossed meter issue. Contact your supplier and tell them.

They will need to make sure your meter is put on to your account.

Once this is done they will re-bill you. Under the Billing Code they should not back bill for more than 12 months where they are at fault.

This is not always straightforward as customers and developers have a responsibility to provide meter details on new builds to suppliers.

Once your account has been sorted out ask your supplier for a payment arrangement. They may agree to spread any debt over a period you are more comfortable with.

There have been several price rises over the last 12 months. Therefore, make sure you are charged for electricity at the prices that applied at the time it was used. It should not all be charged at today's higher prices.

If you can check meter readings for your property see what amount of kWh you are using daily. List all your electrical appliances and the length of time they are in use. It should then be possible to see if there is a discrepancy.

follyfoot

the serial number on the meter and bill are the same. the supplier is simply reading the wrong meter which they say is the developers fault. i always sent the supplier the correct reading from the meter which i always thought was mine and they always responded i had read the meter incorrectly and dropped the first digit. the supplier will have to reimburse my neighbour who they have been charging my electric. i am today monitoring how much electricity i use with just one heater on.

spiro

malc_-_eon wrote: »

This is not always straightforward as customers and developers have a responsibility to provide meter details on new builds to suppliers.

It is the meter operator who fitted the meter on behalf of the supplier that is required to supply the meter details, they also provide the reading of the meter at the point it was installed. The customers responsibility is to advise the supplier they have moved in and the reading on that date.

follyfoot

spiro wrote: »

It is the meter operator who fitted the meter on behalf of the supplier that is required to supply the meter details, they also provide the reading of the meter at the point it was installed. The customers responsibility is to advise the supplier they have moved in and the reading on that date.

I did advise EDF when i moved in and sent them a reading. i have monitored how much electricity i used between today and yesterday and it is 50 (the meter is a single phase watt hour meter). I had one heater all day at the max, used my laptop all day, and used my bedroom heater for 1 hour, cooked and watched TV. Is this considered high usage? the difference between the meter readings could run into thousands and i am not sure why

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi

To clarify the meter readings I would contact your supplier and ask them to send someone to read the meter.

When they come ask them to explain what readings they are taking. If they are the same as yours contact your supplier and tell them.

If they are different ask where these are coming from.

50 kWh in a day does seem high. Is your property all electric? What type of heaters do you have?

Is the heater you have on all day a storage heater and what size is it? Also, when you say ‘on all day’ do you literally mean 24 hours or do you turn it off at night?

For instance, a medium sized storage heater on for 24 hours can use up to 60 units of electricity daily.

Is your meter a single rate or two rate? If you are using appliances all night you will be better off with a two rate meter. This will give you cheaper prices for night usage.

I would also contact your supplier and speak to their energy efficiency department. Have a list of your appliances and ask for tips on how to use them more efficiently.

follyfoot

malc_-_eon wrote: »

Hi

To clarify the meter readings I would contact your supplier and ask them to send someone to read the meter.

When they come ask them to explain what readings they are taking. If they are the same as yours contact your supplier and tell them.

If they are different ask where these are coming from.

50 kWh in a day does seem high. Is your property all electric? What type of heaters do you have?

Is the heater you have on all day a storage heater and what size is it? Also, when you say ‘on all day’ do you literally mean 24 hours or do you turn it off at night?

For instance, a medium sized storage heater on for 24 hours can use up to 60 units of electricity daily.

Is your meter a single rate or two rate? If you are using appliances all night you will be better off with a two rate meter. This will give you cheaper prices for night usage.

I would also contact your supplier and speak to their energy efficiency department. Have a list of your appliances and ask for tips on how to use them more efficiently.

my property is all electric. the heaters are flat panel made by creda. the heater is on for about 14 hours. the electricity company charges a different rate depending on how much electricity i use. i thought the reading was watts not kwh. i am concerned i cant heat a 2 bed house efficiently when my mother's house is 6 bed and it appears her bills are cheaper than mine

hollydays

It took my provider sixmonths to sort my problem out.

follyfoot

i have looked on the net and the rating of my model of panel heater is 1.5kw - is that good or bad?