EDF Energy blank LCD Meter screen?

barney01uk

Hi,

We received an estimated bill from EDF that seemed quite high, but when we went to compare it to our meter we found the screen was blank.

We reported the fault to EDF who advised they'd install a new meter and then based on a month's bill calculate our bill backwards as we've no way of confirming or disputing their estimated figures.

The meter was changed over but now they've put an even higher reading on the bill as an 'actual' reading and say they've got the reading from the meter - does anyone know if this is possible as its different to the information we were given before they replaced and took away the faulty meter

Thanks!

Wywth

barney01uk wrote: »

Hi,

We received an estimated bill from EDF that seemed quite high, but when we went to compare it to our meter we found the screen was blank.

We reported the fault to EDF who advised they'd install a new meter and then based on a month's bill calculate our bill backwards as we've no way of confirming or disputing their estimated figures.

The meter was changed over but now they've put an even higher reading on the bill as an 'actual' reading and say they've got the reading from the meter - does anyone know if this is possible as its different to the information we were given before they replaced and took away the faulty meter

Thanks!

Yes, it does seem to be possible on occassions.
I guess it depends on what, if any, power is left remaining in the battery.

barney01uk

I was worried you'd say that - it completely disagrees with what they advised us over the phone and with what the engineer said but EDF are saying they got the last reading off - guessing we'll have to pay the bill then.

Terrylw1

Is this an electric meter? A faulty meter would not be opened in that case.

What it could be, is the industry process. To action a meter change in the industry, a closing/opening set of reads is needed. If no reading can be obtained from the display, the suppliers Data Collector will Deem one otherwise it can be actioned.

This Deemed reading is an estimate based on anything they hold. If their history is poor, the Deemed reading will be.

Challenge it and see what they say. Suppliers don't tend to trust Deemed readings and often ignore them in favour of their own estimate if its more likely to be accurate. Sometimes they even write off the difference instead of entering in a complaint where they have little evidence to back their case up.

pooch

The OP says the supplier claims to have got the reading from the meter

Terrylw1

pooch wrote: »

The OP says the supplier claims to have got the reading from the meter

That could easily be a mistake by a call centre operator.

When a reading is Deemed for this scenario, it will also be reflected in a seperate communication as a Final Actual reading. So, you have to check for the Deemed one to spot this.

misterbarlow

NO, there is no way of getting a reading from a digital meter with a blank display.. they are sealed moudled units and would have to be destroyed just to access the pcb and even then they would have to probably swap out the lcd, all costing time and money, they just wouldnt go to all that trouble trying to find a reading on every blank one that comes in, which probably number in the 100s per year...

its not impossible that the display worked again when reenergised in the test station, but in my company blank meters dont even get back there, they are logged on a spreadsheet for stats and then binned by us when we unload our vans at the depot, as the company just writes them off....

I have never heard of anyone in my company gettin a reading from a blank meter, I would say they are spinning you rubbish!!

[Deleted User]

occasionally its just possible to see a very faded reading on a blank screen if a torch is shone on it from slightly above. Blank screens seem to be getting more and more common with the small white digital meters, such as Landys and Gyr and other makers. the suppliers dont take much notice at all from me when I find them, have got one I see every quarter for the last 4 years still blank. Unless the occupier phones in to report it nothing gets done, so its "use as much as you like time " and accept the estimates. This is how B.G. and EDF operate in my area at least

Terrylw1

sacsquacco wrote: »

occasionally its just possible to see a very faded reading on a blank screen if a torch is shone on it from slightly above. Blank screens seem to be getting more and more common with the small white digital meters, such as Landys and Gyr and other makers. the suppliers dont take much notice at all from me when I find them, have got one I see every quarter for the last 4 years still blank. Unless the occupier phones in to report it nothing gets done, so its "use as much as you like time " and accept the estimates. This is how B.G. and EDF operate in my area at least

The only party losing out there is the distributor since several nil advances will stop the supplier paying an industry estimate. So, is it poor management or a strategy?

As long as you get that reading in, plus you can flash a stopped meter or faulty meter via the codes, the supplier gets informed. They just have to interrogate the incoming codes to pick them out.

So, either very poor systems or a strategy to avoid paying the distributor.

pooch

Terrylw1 wrote: »

That could easily be a mistake by a call centre operator. ...

Or it could be the truth ...

Terrylw1

pooch wrote: »

Or it could be the truth ...

It depends if it was changed for this reason. If it was, they wouldn't be getting a reading through so its very likely to be a Deemed reading issue. These are pure estimates hence open to dispute and the supplier is likely to be open to gargling over what is reasonable.

So, its worth digging further. Call centres don't get trained on processes properly so often have to take what they see as correct. They are also well known yo say anything to just get rid of a tricky customer...;):D