Imposed Meter change question

djblack

Hi Guys

I instigated a change of gas and electric supplier to beat the increase, and have just been sent a letter from the local power provider (Scottish Power) stating that my (outgoing) electric supplier has "instructed us to change your meter on their behalf" as it has reached the end of its PERMITTED life.

I would question "end of permitted life" as the house is only 12-13 years old!

So - what is this all about?!?!?

I know several other properties in this area with very old meters and never has there been a question of "end of life".

Personally, I dont want a new meter, for the disruption, outage, strangers in my home etc...

Thoughts?

David

System

Meters are supposed to be checked on a regular basis and they do have a max recommended life like any type of equipment.

I seem to remember that it is recommended that electricity meters are calibrated or changed every 10 years, but it is not unusual for meters to remain in service for much longer than this, it is only a "recommended" lifespan. (I'm not 100% sure about the accuracy of my memory with respect to the 10 year figure.)

The electricity supply industry have regulations to follow, if they have determined your meter needs to be changed, you have very little choice in the matter, the meter is their property, and you have signed a contract which gives them the right to change the meter if they wish.

Make a note of the old meter number and check it is the same as on your existing bills.

When the meter is changed, make sure you take a reading from the old meter, and also a reading from the new meter (at or near zero). The engineer should take readings anyway and should leave a card in the meter box with the readings and meter numbers.

Once you get the next bill, it should show the old meter number and associated readings followed by the new meter number and associated readings. Check the meter numbers and readings agree with your bill.

P.S.
This old thread has more info about the regulations:
Link to thread

daveyjp

"Thoughts?"

It's not your meter, so you don't have much choice.

I'm surprised with such a new house that the meters aren't accessible from outside. If they are they don't need to come into your home when changing an electricity meter.

djblack

Thanks for the quick reply.

It does confuse me regards to age, as the other five houses adjacent to home have not had letters to change....and a 13year old meter is not "old" especially when I think of friends ones that must be 25 years plus.

Yes, electric meter is inside, gas is outside....even in a "new" house. It is in Scotland though!

I just called Scottish Power to enquire as to why its to be changed and they could not tell me why, nor who it was that requested the change - ie outgoing or incomming electric supplier... how weird.

As you say, its their meter... it has their name on it... yet... why accept an order to change from a third party who has not had any visibility of the meter... I am just changing suppliers!

Much as I can't be bothered with the hassle, I just want to understand why!

Sometimes these big guys dont know or care sh*t.

David

st999

I would love to get a new meter as new meters run slower than old meters.

As meters get older they run faster due to wear in the gears.

SailorSam

st999 wrote: »

I would love to get a new meter as new meters run slower than old meters.

As meters get older they run faster due to wear in the gears.

That sounds as if it's an urban myth to me.
If you do think your meter is running fast you should ask for it to be checked.

djblack

Thanks Guys...

I have emailled both outgoing and incomming electricity suppliers to confirm if they requested the change, and why, as well as giving SP a confirmed date to swap it.

David

SwanJon

daveyjp wrote: »

I'm surprised with such a new house that the meters aren't accessible from outside. If they are they don't need to come into your home when changing an electricity meter.

Physically they don't need to come into your house to change the meter, but the job is more than that.
Firstly they need to check what will be disconnected when they remove the meter (e.g. medical equipment)
Once the job has been completed they need to run saftey checks (e.g. to ensure they have put the live wire in the right place).

For a gas meter, they need to ensure that no gas appliances have been left on (would cause a leak when the supply was reinstated).

OP - it should only take them around 20 mins all in - so long as you have all the details BAA1 suggests so you can provide to your supplier (possibly both suppliers to be safe) it won't be an issue.

nick74

st999 wrote: »

I would love to get a new meter as new meters run slower than old meters.

As meters get older they run faster due to wear in the gears.

I can't say I have ever noticed this phenomenon with electricity meters but have found completely the opposite with water meters.

My water use tends to be very consistent and I take regular readings, but have found in various houses over the years that my water usage readings diminish gradually as the meter ages, then shoot back up when a new meter is fitted, only to fall back slowly again over time.
I've noticed this in enough different metered properties for it to be more than a coincidence I think. I even had one old meter slow down then jam completely, resulting in me having free water for six months!

kathleenryd

djblack wrote: »

Thanks Guys...

I have emailled both outgoing and incomming electricity suppliers to confirm if they requested the change, and why, as well as giving SP a confirmed date to swap it.

David

Interesting that I have just signed up to leave SP to go to EDF and I have received a letter from SP to tell me they must change my meter. Is this a coincidence? Could it cause problems with the change of supplier?
Thanks for any answers.

K

gordon2

I have lived in my present house since it was built 19 years ago and in that time I have had both my gas and electricity meters changed.

What is the problem?

Nothing lasts forever.