Electricity Meters

tez1503

Just spoken to Central Networks about changing the meter for one of the new ones but i wanted the new meter to be on the outside wall of my house, which requires turning the new meter around to face the other way... the charge for this is £530!!! Is there any other way round this or am i having to pay these extortionate fees?

Ken68

Cheaper to ring in your numbers. 0800 even better.

tez1503

yeah i know about phoning in the numbers, is their a cheaper way to get the meters moved?

Ken68

I was quoted a similiar price a few years ago
My sister had her meter moved recently, the actual connecting fee was £200.
So in your case minimum cabling so a days work for one skilled electrician..say £200 and perhaps certification fee.

tez1503

thanks for that ken, can anyone move the meters then or is it only the electricity board??

tez1503

can anyone help?

Ken68

I'll find out. Wait a bit.

Ken68

Just rang electrician brother. Has to to someone qualified to change meter.Some rule since January 2006.
If cavity wall, can be inset, otherwise a safety issue if fixed on the surface.
£530 ok price. Eventually it will be all wireless anyway. A chap in a van will download the whole street all at once. About 5 years away.

Gal

Has to be moved by your distributor as it involves movement of the service cable - Central Networks in your area (Which must be supply area 11) would be the only people authorised to do this. If someone else does it then you will find that there meter security team could potentially take you to court.

My advice as already stated phone in with your own readings. Or register on your suppliers website and send them through. The most times you would do this is 4 times a year and thats only if no one reads you meters in that time.

ken68 is sort of correct although its probably longer then 5 years before all meters are affected. But in Sweden they are using smart meters - They send readings in automatically every quarter notify suppliers of power cuts and also let home owners know where they can save money in the home - This is already in use so shouldn't be long until it hits the UK.

Probably be done through re-certification programmes though and be looking more like 2015 till all homes have this technology.