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how do i take a reading from a 'dial' meter?

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  • brewerdave
    brewerdave Posts: 8,734 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    The supply meter was changed in 1999 - its possible that the E7 meter(s) were removed then and the then owner was paying for everything at single rate..Subsequent changes have then got lost in the system and the property has defaulted back to needing 2 meter reads.
    CU = consumer unit (box where the individual circuit breakers and main switch are located.)
  • piratefairy
    piratefairy Posts: 4,342 Forumite
    edited 2 November 2010 at 11:20AM
    Thanks, macman - sorry for the dumb question.

    brewerdave, this is what i suspected when i moved into the property - hence the query with them in the first place.
    I would suspect that they haven't actually sent anyone out to look at the meters, and have sent a bog-standard letter.
    But that wouldn't really explain why the meter hadn't changed since the last reading taken in July. Unless it is broken.
    I've spoken to them this morning, explained that the estimation seems wrong, and that I still don't understand why they have me down as having two meters. I have emialed them all the points raised in the telephone call, along with the photos of the devices.

    That said, my experience of their customer service would suggest this will take a while. :(
    Would you suggest that I try and sort it out with them first, or pay the estimated bill first and then see if they can sort it /; refund me the excess paid when I change supplier?
  • brewerdave
    brewerdave Posts: 8,734 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You'll need to sort out the meter reading issue before you move - Otherwise, your opening and subsequent reads with the new supplier, will all be estimates!!!
    In an earlier post you said that an "engineer" had been out to access the meters - were you actually present??
  • piratefairy
    piratefairy Posts: 4,342 Forumite
    I waited in for the first and second appointments for an engineer, and they did not show up on either occasion.
    Npower were notified of this at each occasion and apologised. I wasn't able to take another date off work for them.

    They then sent a letter to confirm that an engineer had visited the property at another time, when I was not present and that the engineer had managed to gain access to the meter room via a neighbour. In this letter they also confirmed that they had two on the property, the serial numbers for each and the readings at the date they visited. The reading on the elec-display meter stated the same reading in the letter as it shows at present in the photo, so I think that they did access the property, although not being present on that date I cannot confirm.

    I have asked, but of course Npower are not able to confirm exactly who visited the property, the name of who let them in, and the exact time.
  • molerat
    molerat Posts: 34,661 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    You need to do some detective work yourself if you are going to solve this. Waiting for the supplier to get their act together will take forever. I am sure their various depts work on chinese whispers and the real reason never gets through to the person doing the job.

    How many meters are in the cupboard and how many flats are there ?

    Preferably when as many flats as possible are occupied and with the help of a friend on a mobile switch off the main switch at your fuse box and make a note of how many meters are not moving. Switch back on and put a high use item on, electric fire or kettle, and watch which meter starts spinnng quickly, switch off and on a few times to prove it.
  • piratefairy
    piratefairy Posts: 4,342 Forumite
    There is a number painted for each of the flats in the building, on the trunking, and one cut-off and either one or two meters for each flat. Most of the meters have painted on them the numebr of their flat as well. I couldn't see any obvious "unclaimed" meters, and my three items (meter, timer device as pictured, and cut-off switch) are in between the next door flats' items, as one would expect.

    I have called them several times today, and they have so far acknowledged receipt of my email, but each time just tell me that the account is on hold, and not to worry as they will contact me when they know more.

    The elec-display meter, which i am told is off-peak, is not moving, regardless of anything being on or off it seems. I use lights, kettle, cooker and fridge etc would be plugged in / using, but these have not affected the off-peak meter. I don't have a fire etc to test it with, but will try and get someone to test as you suggest. Thanks for your response :)
  • missbishi
    missbishi Posts: 229 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hi Piratefairy, I used to work at the 'power until quite recently. The only way they will pay any serious attention to anybody's issues is when these people
    http://www.energy-ombudsman.org.uk
    are mentioned! Then, it suddenly becomes an "executive complaint" and MUST be resolved within a certain number of days. Best of British!
  • piratefairy
    piratefairy Posts: 4,342 Forumite
    edited 2 November 2010 at 5:14PM
    Already done that, thank you missbishi. I did tell them this when I spoke to complaints this morning, and she said ok but still just told me to wait for them to call me.
  • I waited in for the first and second appointments for an engineer, and they did not show up on either occasion.
    Npower were notified of this at each occasion and apologised. I wasn't able to take another date off work for them.

    Under their Guarantee of Service Guidelines they promise to pay £20.00 for each missed appt. Not much if you've lost 2 days wages but make sure you claim it.
  • Hi - do you think that perhaps you are hooked into somebody elses meter for daytime use and that the meter was just off peak and controlled by the timer?

    Could be!
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