10,000kWh electricity in a month?

danielv9

Our electricity meter (digital display) advanced over 10,000kWh over the course of just under a month, which is a lot more than the 250kWh which we've been averaging over the past few months. Fortunately we have been taking regular readings, so there's a clear pattern of usage been established. Has anyone ever else had a problem like this?

Does anyone else know what else could cause a digital meter to show a sudden and temporary spike in the number? None of the 'usual' explanations (misreadings, lodger, new baby, thieving neighbour, cannabis farm in roof) apply.

Also, what are my options if the engineer doesn't find a fault with the meter? There isn't any way that we could have actually used that much electricity.

Any advice greatly appreciated...

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

I calculate that to use that amount of electricity in a month you would have to be draining a constant 50-60 amps from the mains. I don't know if the typical household consumer unit could stand up to that sort of use.

Definitely sounds like a problem somewhere.

Cardew

What readings have the electricity company received?

danielv9

Thanks both for responses. Readings were as follows:

Reading 1: 14544
Reading 2: 26747 (25 days later)

[Deleted User]

Thats quite a lot of money you ve used there this month! dont worry, thats a meter fault,we had the same thing the other week on this forum with a smart meter going haywire.These digital displays are not beyond this sort of thing.The smart meter was clocking up similar sorts of units too ,that was faulty too.I ve even found the numbers showing as if in a mirror, backwards.

danielv9

The customer service representative was very keen to explain that if the meter was found to be accurate, there'd be a charge for the call-out. I pointed out that if the meter isn't found to be faulty, I might have bigger problems than the call-out fee!

I see you're a meter reader yourself - do you know if there are any other tests they can do apart from checking that the meter is reading within tolerance at a given point in time? Could they be persuaded to take it away and inspect it more thoroughly?

[Deleted User]

These digital meters are often going faulty,I usually find one a week just loosing all the numbers, going blank.A rough calculation is its trying to charge you £60 a day! I suppose you v done a check by switching all your appliances off, so the red light shows constant on,to check if the digits move still.I personally would have enough confidence to get someone out without incurring any call out fee on this fault.the meter useage is just too high for it not to be faulty

Terrylw1

Yes, they can fit a check meter meter and the last resort is a meter examine visit which is an independent examiner commissioned by ofgem who has the ability to break the seals and give evidence in court, etc.

There must be something wrong with that one unless someone tampered with your supply to charge up an electric car howroom!

DVardysShadow

danielv9 wrote: »

Thanks both for responses. Readings were as follows:

Reading 1: 14544
Reading 2: 26747 (25 days later)

Do you live in a flat or apartment? and if so, have you satisfied yourself that the meter you have been reading actually supplies your property?

danielv9

Yeah, I wondered about that, but no, no tapping or funny wiring going on here. It's a semi, and we know the neighbours are definitely not the sort to tunnel through the wall!

DUTR

danielv9 wrote: »

The customer service representative was very keen to explain that if the meter was found to be accurate, there'd be a charge for the call-out. I pointed out that if the meter isn't found to be faulty, I might have bigger problems than the call-out fee!

I see you're a meter reader yourself - do you know if there are any other tests they can do apart from checking that the meter is reading within tolerance at a given point in time? Could they be persuaded to take it away and inspect it more thoroughly?

You should remind them of the solar flares recently :eek: can affect all electronics.
Unless you live in a factory, it is unlikely that you can use that much energy in a month for a domestic dwelling.