Southern Electric - Meter Change

ReynardTheFox_2

Hi,

I've had a letter from Southern Electric telling me they want to carry out a safety inspection and change my meter. According to the letter, "we are required to replace meters after they have been in use for a set period of time. We are due to replace your meter to meet this requirement"

Is this just what is says on the tin? Being the cynical type I am I want to check they're not trying to fit a meter with a higher tariff, or one that will prevent me from switching supplier etc

Any advice appreciated,
Cheers
RTF

mulldoonuk

ReynardTheFox wrote: »

Hi,

I've had a letter from Southern Electric telling me they want to carry out a safety inspection and change my meter. According to the letter, "we are required to replace meters after they have been in use for a set period of time. We are due to replace your meter to meet this requirement"

Is this just what is says on the tin? Being the cynical type I am I want to check they're not trying to fit a meter with a higher tariff, or one that will prevent me from switching supplier etc

Any advice appreciated,
Cheers
RTF

Does your meter have m3 on it?
if not....
the chances are you have an old imperial meter..

they will change it to a newer metric one.

Edit: i assume this is the gas meter?

Nikkisun

My Hubby is a meter installer for Southern Electric (and previously for EDF).

It's true every meter has a 'shelf life' - usually about 10 years (depending on meter type). So the letter is exactly right - your meter will be taken away and tested and recallibrated and a different (not necessarily new) meter will be put in it's place.

They don't need to change the meter if all they wanted to do was increase your tariff (they only change meters for tariff changes if it's for Economy 7 or Eco 20:20 as then they need to know when you used the electric rather than just how much you used).

So essentially it's 'exactly what it says on the tin' and nothing to worry about.

Garz

Old mechanical meters had 20-25 yrs, the usual shelf life for the digital ones is 10 yrs as Nikkisun has pointed out. The age of the meter is denoted in the serial number, usually the first two digits in after the first letter.

Thus a meter with A05N123456 would have been made in 2005 and should roughly be due for another recert after 2015.

ReynardTheFox_2

Many thanks all!

Garz

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cuddlybunny

Can anyone advise me on how to get my metre changed from economy 10 to a standard one. As things stand I can't take advantage of price comparison sites to change my supplier and my electricity bills are sky high. I have a wet radiator centralheating system in an all electric flat, and use a lot of electricity especially in this cold weather, despite having excellent insulation. I think I would be better off on EDF's online saver version 7 tariff, but can't switch in the usual way because of the E10 metre
Any advice gratefully received

London_pete

Nikkisun wrote: »

My Hubby is a meter installer for Southern Electric (and previously for EDF).

It's true every meter has a 'shelf life' - usually about 10 years (depending on meter type). So the letter is exactly right - your meter will be taken away and tested and recallibrated and a different (not necessarily new) meter will be put in it's place.

They don't need to change the meter if all they wanted to do was increase your tariff (they only change meters for tariff changes if it's for Economy 7 or Eco 20:20 as then they need to know when you used the electric rather than just how much you used).

So essentially it's 'exactly what it says on the tin' and nothing to worry about.

i was told to change my meter from pay as you go to quarterly i have to submit a test certificate is this correct, it dosnt sound right to me but the lady on the phone was quite adamant

mattcanary

Eh, she is speaking a load of gibberish an is trying to get out of taking out the prepayment meter by the sounds of it!