Do metres go wrong ?

welshblackhorse

hello, I had a statement form British Gas which stated that I had used a total of £663.25 worth of electricity from 30/04/11 to 30/11/11.(seven months)
I read my meter a few days ago and according to the reading I had used £418 worth of electricity in one month. Although we do use a bit more during the winter months I'm sure this cant be right. How do I go about getting my meter checked .It was replaced 2/3 years ago. cant be exact though.
Anyone else had trouble like this ?
thanks

t0rt0ise

Call British Gas. They will arrange for the meter to be checked for a fee which will be refunded if it is found to be faulty.

Cardew

How did you measure £418 in one month? - if you show your figures we can offer advice. was the statement from BG based on estimated meter readings. i.e. the 30/11/11 meter reading could be under-estimated.

Do you have gas?

jalexa

welshblackhorse wrote: »

How do I go about getting my meter checked..

There is a process but first start taking daily readings. From your post you have not yet eliminated other more likely explanations.

welshblackhorse

hello and thanks for your replies.
usage from 30/04/2011 -30/11/2011
night 3075 kwh
day 4518 kwh as per statement

meter reading 30/11 /2011
night 15619 C
day 46492 E
metre reading 30/12
night 15695 C
day 51187 C

rate = day 8.920p
night 7.020p
maths isnt one of my strong points but I think this equates to £418.79 day units and 76 night units , total £424.12 +standing charge and VAT

jimjames

The key figure is the:

day 46492 E

Unless you have your own readings you have no idea if this is a valid reading or not. The other readings look reasonable as both are actual readings but 5000 units in a month is massive.

What do you use electricity for? Do you also have gas?

dogshome

Hmmm -OK it seems that you are on an ECO7 meter, don't have Gas for heating which is provided by overnight Storage radiators, with hot water also being being cooked up overnight

It is usual with this set-up that the Night rate use is higher than the Daytime rate use, but from the figures you have given, yours is the other way around

CHECK what is being charged at Night Rate & Day rate by switching off everything at mid-day, then boiling a kettle to see what meter read-out records this use, then as a double check, look at the meter in the early hours of the day to see which meter read is recording power used by the Storage radiators & Hot water.
If the Day/Night meter readings on this check don't match the way you are being billed get onto your supplier immediately

The BIG problem with ECO7 is useing the boost switch on the Hot Water during the day - This will will consume around 3Kwh an hour at your expensive Daytime power rate

jimjames

dogshome wrote: »

Hmmm -OK it seems that you are on an ECO7 meter, don't have Gas for heating which is provided by overnight Storage radiators, with hot water also being being cooked up overnight

The BIG problem with ECO7 is useing the boost switch on the Hot Water during the day - This will will consume around 3Kwh an hour at your expensive Daytime power rate

I'm curious about the rates quoted, the saving between day and night seems pretty minimal. Is that normal for ECO7?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

welshblackhorse wrote: »

meter reading 30/11 /2011
night 15619 C
day 46492 E
metre reading 30/12
night 15695 C
day 51187 C

how come the day 46492 is an E (est) when night 15619 is C (Cust)?

VfM4meplse

jalexa wrote: »

From your post you have not yet eliminated other more likely explanations.

Are you certain that no-one else has tapped into your supply? Is the house next door on rental? Do you know your neighbours? Might they be running a cannabis factory?

welshblackhorse

ok, thanks all.
I dont have gas.
My cooking is an oil fired range and water heating/ central also.I have two freeezers, two fridges, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer. These are used all year round .
I dont know why some readings are estimated and some actual. I confess Ive not been dilligent about sending readings in. My metre is away from the house behind some of our buildings. I dont actually use much night electricity as you can see from my readings.
I have quite alot of lights outside as this is a business address too.Most are energy saving bulbs but I have 8 security lights which are halogen but I have worked out recently they should only cost around £200 a year so I dont this is the problem.
I think I will take the advice of one person and take readings every day for a week and then phone BG to see what is happening.