Replced meter - how to claim refund?

iQueen

In March, my electricity supplier, SP, changed my meter, 'because it was reaching the end of its life'. I received a digital meter (not a Smart Meter).

Worried that I could find myself paying more for my electricity (cynic!), I calculated, from the data SP put on my quarterly bills, that I used 8.3kw per day, during the year to the final bill for the old meter. This bill was out of the quarterly sequence, and followed by another (part) bill, for the new meter, a few weeks later.

Since the new meter was in stalled, I have been following my late grandfather's habit of reading, and recording, the meter, every Sunday. My average daily use is now 6kw per day.

My electricity usage is at a bare minimum and does not fluctuate, and I have no piped gas. Everything, except the fridge-freezer is off at night - nothing lit up, on stand-by or running. Usage has not changed, because I've been using the absolute minimum for the past 6 years.

So, the new meter, which apparently is "more accurate", shows that I have been overcharged for at least the last 6 years! :eek:

What is the best way of successfully applying for a refund, please? :whistle:

McKneff

I cant see how you can say it doesnt fluctuate, surely you cook different things on a daily basis, use a hairdyer sometime more, sometimes less, fridge freezer will fluctuate depending on outside circumstance, you will use more in winter than summer, etc. etc, etc.

Cardew

As I understand it you are comparing average daily consumption for the full year prior to meter change in March, with the average daily consumption since March. ie the summer months


In my part of UK it is light for much longer during the summer, and so I have the lights on for a lot less than in winter!

If you have CH, it is on much less and so the pump runs far less time.

Many people eat less cooked meals in summer.

macman

It could of course be equally possible that the old meter was under-reading? Funny how no one ever gets worked up about that though...

chanz4

Bit late to query now, as the meter will be gone

iQueen

McKneff wrote: »

I cant see how you can say it doesnt fluctuate, surely you cook different things on a daily basis, use a hairdyer sometime more, sometimes less, fridge freezer will fluctuate depending on outside circumstance, you will use more in winter than summer, etc. etc, etc.

Of course my usage fluctuates slightly, from day to day, week to week, month to month, and quarter to quarter, because of the reasons you give; however, I adjust the fridge-freezer when the outside temperature substantially changes, rarely use the oven and don't use a hairdryer regularly.

My winter quarter bill is generally £10-20 more than the summer one, because I have a 55W electric blanket to pre-warm my bed and probably drink more hot drinks.

Cardew wrote: »

As I understand it you are comparing average daily consumption for the full year prior to meter change in March, with the average daily consumption since March. ie the summer months


In my part of UK it is light for much longer during the summer, and so I have the lights on for a lot less than in winter!

I only use a single light on, in a single room.

If you have CH, it is on much less and so the pump runs far less time.

I don't have any kind of central heating.

Many people eat less cooked meals in summer.

macman wrote: »

It could of course be equally possible that the old meter was under-reading? Funny how no one ever gets worked up about that though...

Very true.

Chanza4:
My bills record my presumed usage, and it is recognised that the old meters are less accurate than the new, which favour the consumer.
****************************

How sad: I had hoped for some helpful advice, rather than critical nit-picking.

st999

I would write to your supplier with all the details that you have outlined here and ask them to consider a refund of your overpaid electricity because of your over reading old meter compared to your under reading new meter.

Of course they may decide to test your old meter to see if it was over reading and test your new meter to see if it is in fact reading correctly.

If they decide to test your new meter what would you do if they identify that it is in fact under reading and they replace it with another meter that reads correctly and records more than your supposed usage?

If it was me I keep quiet but if you are convinced you were over charged, complain in writing to the CEO of SP.

iQueen

st999:

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond to my request.

I shall carefully consider your advice and the implications.

gasmanmartin

One chance - No chance :money:

Terrylw1

Old meters are considered accurate to the standards required by the National Measurements Office (NMO), as are new meters.

If your old meter is faulty, time is against now its gone. Your supplier can no longer test it as it requires a Standard Load Test (SLT) which is performed onsite at your property.

At this point, it will be winging its way back to the manufacturer to be scrapped or certified to be sent back out.

You could ask for your meter to be tracked down and a manufacturers test be actioned. They can break the meter seals to test it, which the suppliers Meter Operator was unable to do.

Be prepared that call centre people won't have the first idea how to arrange this as its more in the realms of contract management activities now.

So, to help you with knowledge of the parties involved:

- the suppliers Meter Operator don't own the meter but perform the work. They come yo your property.

- the suppliers Meter Asset Manager (MAM) purchases the meters from the manufacturer.

So, you need them to track it down via the MAM.

Its going to take them speaking to that agent, most likely via their contract manager so they can get the contacts who are on the cold face.

iQueen

Terrylw1:

The meter was replaced because it had "reached the end of its 30 year life', and replacement "is required by law".

I was not aware that the old meter was inaccurate until I started getting bills showing 25% less usage, when my usage has not changed.