Electricity Meter Problem

snapping_crocodile

Our quaterly utility bills arrived today and the readings were estimated. On checking the actual readings I found the electricity meter was on the same reading as our last bill, which was an actual reading by the swalec man, meaning our electricity meter hasn't been going round for the last 3 months!!

Now we are going to ring them tomorrow to get them to sort it out but just wondering re the bill. I am guessing they will just apply the estimated reading without having anything else to go by? Also just wondering if anyone else has been in this situation with swalec, and how they were at rectifying the problem. Are we likely to get charged for repairs/replacements? The meter is only 4 years old and no obvious signs of tampering (it is on our external side wall), and neither of us have played with it!! :cool:

Cardew

If you have a billing history, they can estimate consumption. If not, the normal method is to check your consumption over xx days and use that as the basis of an estimated bill. If you are not satisfied with their estimate it is 'negotiable'(I was abroad for 2 months during that period!!) however normally the customers comes out well in these situations.

Also don't forget that the meter wouldn't have stopped on the day it was read 3 months ago - so they will look at your previous bill.

Meter replacement is free if they are satisfied it hasn't been tampered with or damaged.

spiro

Have you compared the previous quarters consumption with the one before that? It may be that the meter stopped more than 3 months ago but it is unlikely that the supplier will try and check/prove that but it is probably best to be aware if that may be the case.