Faulty electricity meter and estimated reading

jon2432

I went to update my meter reading online. The readings were the same as the last quarter. I rang SSE and they said the meter was broken! They arranged for a new meter but said they would have to estimate the bill. This would be taken from an average over the last year.
Last winters bill was more expensive because of the colder conditions than this year.

How will they estimate the bill etc.

I pay monthly through direct debit.

macman

Invariably when usage is estimated you will come out ahead, so I wouldn't protest too much-wait until you get the bill and see what it is like.

Terrylw1

Its known as a stopped meter.

Remember, they can't prove your consumption, its impossible. So they can either estimate based on the previous 12 months, if the period is short they can use a similar previous period, nil bill you if its a short period to avoid a comp,ain't about something they can't prove or they can ask you for readings over set over set periods on the new meter. Be wary of this last method if approaching a larger usage period such as winter.

What you need to understand is diffeting use based on weather conditions as you said and the quality of the data they held last year. If they had overestimate you, be wary.

Its worth working but out yourself and seeing what thy come up with, then if too high argue for a settlement...they can only say what they think, there is no proof.

There is also no regulation or operating practice that covers this part either, just the actions to find, investigate and change the meter.

[Deleted User]

I find stopped meters more and more nowadays, especially the little digital meters which are very common.Electrical surges and even lightning nearby can knock out the meters, have found whole streets out in the past.There is one meter, the Sangamo Weston, for some reason, drops a blank space in the last single digit occasionally, which stops the meter.A good bang on the side of the meter will restart it. The Utililties are ignorant of this meter, and the meter readers record the blank space as a zero, therefore you get free electicity.I have found them stopped for over two years, with the utilities happily billing for full gas central heating and zero electric consumption.Proof positive of absolutely no monitoring of useage at all.

misterbarlow

stopped meters are very common lately (i change dozens of them every week), probably a small white Actaris one is the worst offender...
if you are not happy with the estimate method they want to use then ask them to read the new meter in a few weeks and use that as an average period and back bill you..
i know they will do and have done, this!!