Received letter to say meter needs changing..do I need to watch out for anything?

*onlyme*

Thanks for all the replies.

spiro wrote: »

Why do you have a lock on your meter cupboard? If you have a serious gas leak will you remember to take the key with you to unlock the cupboard to enable you operate the ECV? The reason meter boxes have 'standard' triangular keys is because all parties that need access carry these keys.

It's a very small padlock but it's to stop the postman/delivery men to jam parcels in the cupboard and then not leaving a note to say they put it in there...

The padlock could easily be broken by the use of a brick or some force but it's just a small deterent

brewerdave

Never had a change of gas meter in 25 years; only had one change of electrikery meter in the same period due to breakdown of the earthing straps(??) - very pretty light show in the meter cupboard!!!

Swipe

brewerdave wrote: »

Never had a change of gas meter in 25 years; only had one change of electrikery meter in the same period due to breakdown of the earthing straps(??) - very pretty light show in the meter cupboard!!!

That's what makes the whole thing so ridiculous. There are so many old meters out there yet they are insisting that people with 12 month old digital meters have them swapped for identical ones.

torbrex

Onstream have started to fit 'smart meters' nationwide so even if you have had a new meter fitted recently it will still need to be changed for one of the new ones, all meters in the country should be the smart type by about 2017.

grahamc2003

Swipe wrote: »

There is no official reason. They just do it for the sake of doing it. I had a brand new digital meter installed just 12 months prior. I sent email after email telling them that it didn't need to be done (even sent them the serial no and photos) but they would not take no for an answer so in the end I just gave in and let them swap it for an identical one. Even the engineer who swapped it said it was a complete waste of his time. The distribution company was OnStream in my case.

istr is a requirement for all suppliers (via their meter operators) to have an ongoing replacement of meters. Possibly something like 3 or 4% have to be changed each year, giving an average 26 year life, or something like that. Seems stupid replacing new ones though! but many things these days in this industry are done by obligation, and of course, the cheapest way of meeting that obligation is the way it's done. So maybe if an engineer is planned to be in your area for another reason, they may tag a useless meter change (I'm just thinking aloud, no evidence, be good to hear from an engineer who actually changes meters to why new ones are changed.).

itzmee

My meter very definitely needed changing as it was the old fashioned wheel turning around type meter which was awkward to read, it's much easier now just reading the digital numbers. Just wish the flipping meter reader didnt have to come round every single quarter to read my meters though as it's so inconvenient having him traipse through the house :mad:

[Deleted User]

Hi,

itzmee wrote: »

Just wish the flipping meter reader didnt have to come round every single quarter to read my meters though as it's so inconvenient having him traipse through the house :mad:

mmm, 4 times a year. :huh:

You could of course opt for an online paperless account, might even save you money.

torbrex

itzmee wrote: »

Just wish the flipping meter reader didnt have to come round every single quarter to read my meters though as it's so inconvenient having him traipse through the house :mad:

You could arrange for the meter reader to come at a time to suit you otherwise your power company will continue to send him every three months, if they know that they are getting a guaranteed read/inspection they would not need to send him so often.

All power suppliers operate an appointment register of some kind, all you need to do is ask them but dont ask the meter reader, he is not in any position to organise that for you, chances are he works for a sub-contract company that just reads the meters.

HalloweenJack

itzmee wrote: »

My meter very definitely needed changing as it was the old fashioned wheel turning around type meter which was awkward to read, it's much easier now just reading the digital numbers. Just wish the flipping meter reader didnt have to come round every single quarter to read my meters though as it's so inconvenient having him traipse through the house :mad:

i would rather have my meter read 4 times a year , than once every 2 years - then get a huge !!! catch up bill (as some on here have done)

brewerdave

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi,



mmm, 4 times a year. :huh:

You could of course opt for an online paperless account, might even save you money.

I have been "paperless" for several years and submitted online meter readings....but for the last two years EON have had the meters read every three months anyway!!!!:)