Is this possible?

charlie792

Bit of a strange one but is it possible for one light to be wired up to 2 separate meters and then depending on which switch is used depends on which meter is charged?

Basically Im dead careful with my electricity usage and its normally fairly low, last month my usage was pretty high, higher than usual and seeing as I wasn't there for a week it seemed a bit odd. Litterally everything was turned off in my house with the exception of the fridge.

My house is actually two flats and there is a light in upstairs's property that can be turned on and off by either me in my flat or them in their flat - the switch in my property is right next to my main hall light so sometimes flick this by mistake. I was thinking maybe it was possible I flicked this before I went away and for whatever reason (maybe they weren't there either upstairs) that it got left on and I was charged for it. Ive been living here almost a year now and have yet to figure out who is paying for the electric used by that light....

HalloweenJack

a light wont actually cost huge amounts - a 60w bulb would cost 6p for 10hours if your paying 10p per unit of electricity;

So, if for example, the price is 10p per unit, the cost of your 60 watt bulb will be
10 x 60/1000 = 0.6p per hour
or 6p for 10 hours

charlie792

HalloweenJack wrote: »

a light wont actually cost huge amounts - a 60w bulb would cost 6p for 10hours if your paying 10p per unit of electricity;

So, if for example, the price is 10p per unit, the cost of your 60 watt bulb will be
10 x 60/1000 = 0.6p per hour
or 6p for 10 hours

I know technically it wouldn't cost much but my monthly usage was around 30kwh higher than usual - its normally pretty consistent (83 usually compared to his months 113kwh) and considering I was away for 8 days that doesnt make much sense that it was a lot higher.

Regardless though I am a bit miffed as to who pays for the light anyway

dogshome

Hi charlie792 - This light that can be operated from 2 switches is a very common feature of multi-story houses and is used switch On/Off a light on the stairs from either the top or the bottom.

I'ts highly unlikely that your lamp is fed by 2 meters, so I guess your flats are conversion and whichever tenant has the ground floor flat, has the original meter and is the one funding the light.

You can check by operating the isolation switch on your fuse box to see if the light still works -A single lamp on for short periods won't break the bank, but it should have a low energy bulb and both tenants should be aware who's paying for it.