Confusing Electricity Meter

[Deleted User]

Could you have a look at the other tenants meters if poss. they are usually the same model of meter in new builds and see how they are doing it. Meters are not supposed to be as confusing as that, its got me baffled. Just make sure you are def looking at your meter. there is usually a little red light which go s to constant on when no electric is used, flashing when in use, so switch everything off and check your meter.' just to rule that out. I have known it happen many times people reading wrong meter. The suppliers wont have that much idea themselves about individual meters. Poss get in touch, (through the supplier ) with the regional distributor who installed the meter. its their property after all, who should know how its configured. Theres a big difference between rate 1 and Total. I only see that with eco 7 or former eco 7 meters. The differnce between rate 1 and total would be the night rate use

macman

6.301kWh is about two years typical usage, but not impossible over 15m. 12,440kWh would be absurdly high.
Your monthly DD should be about £45 assuming the former (5,040kWh pa).

InsideInsurance

sacsquacco wrote: »

Could you have a look at the other tenants meters if poss. they are usually the same model of meter in new builds and see how they are doing it. Meters are not supposed to be as confusing as that, its got me baffled. Just make sure you are def looking at your meter. there is usually a little red light which go s to constant on when no electric is used, flashing when in use, so switch everything off and check your meter.' just to rule that out. I have known it happen many times people reading wrong meter. The suppliers wont have that much idea themselves about individual meters. Poss get in touch, (through the supplier ) with the regional distributor who installed the meter. its their property after all, who should know how its configured. Theres a big difference between rate 1 and Total. I only see that with eco 7 or former eco 7 meters. The differnce between rate 1 and total would be the night rate use

It is by elimination that it was decided it is our meter by the fact there was no meter in the flat, the other flats/ houses have meters in their properties and in this cupboard is a very big meter which has two blue buttons, one of which has a tag through it to prevent its use, and using the other button it has about a dozen different screens.

"Our" meter is a little domestic meter with the two screens that automatically cycle. I will turn off the master switch and check that it reflects in the little blinking light (hopefully dont get the police coming round from the alarm losing power for a few minutes, I'll blame you if they do )

I guess the one thing I want to do is check that the two rates remain the same difference (±1) in which case then I'd guess one other rate is holding a static value and not displaying it but it still leaves the question of which of the two numbers should be used. If the difference between the rates are not constant then we have a real conundrum

Wywth

InsideInsurance wrote: »

I just wonder therefore why rate 1 is lower than rate Tot.

I've seen this type of meter, both used on single and dual rate supplies.

As you are on a single rate supply, I would have thought the total should be the same as the rate1, so like the supplier I don't really know why it's not.

Just a thought, if this meter was previously used for a dual rate supply (either at the current address or elsewhere) and wasn't zero'd, could that be why there is now a difference between rate1 and the total?

As the supplier suggests, best to get them in to check it out properly - they'll probably just install you a new meter when they come
(make sure you get a formally agreed record of both the rate1 and total reading of the meter before they remove it, if that is what they decide)

InsideInsurance

Are meters often reused in new builds? If they are do they often go in unzeroed?

[Deleted User]

The meter fitters are supposed to leave a card with old meter details attached to new meter, with date, start and end reads. I find the card sometimes on the floor in communal cupboards.Supplier has details of any meter exchanges also. New gas meters could be starting at any number. Electric digitals I think prob will be zero d, but am not 100% sure. you say an opening read for the brand new property was 04765 which is odd unless its was used as a show home or builders office.

InsideInsurance

Well meter guy came, says it is a reconditioned meter and when they recondition them they normally zero down the Rate 1, Rate 2 etc as necessary but the Tot figure is left with the reading for the life of the meter.

In short, read Rate 1 and ignore Total but be careful in the future that no one reads Total in error

[Deleted User]

Thanks for that feedback InsideInsurance. Its standard procedure for us to read Total on single rate meters. these meters must be rare. would be a good idea to label your meter for any future meter readers to avoid mess ups.