Advice re height of pre-payment meter

sollydog1

My electric company want to install a prepayment meter to recover a debt. However my meter is currently very high (above my front door). Scottish Power have informed me they cannot move the meter and I'll just have to stand on a chair to charge the meter (I cannot reach even on a chair :mad: )
Does anyone know if there are any regulations for maximum height of a pre-payment meter?

Scottish_Power

Hi can you please e-mail us at [EMAIL="onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com"]onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com[/EMAIL] and we will try to help. Thanks David

sollydog1

Hi David, sorry my mistake. I'm actually with SSE (getting my Scots mixed up)

Wywth

sollydog1 wrote: »

My electric company want to install a prepayment meter to recover a debt. However my meter is currently very high (above my front door). Scottish Power have informed me they cannot move the meter and I'll just have to stand on a chair to charge the meter (I cannot reach even on a chair :mad: )
Does anyone know if there are any regulations for maximum height of a pre-payment meter?

How is the guy going to move it if you can't reach it even stood on a chair?

How do you (or anyone) manage to read the meter today?

Could you take us a photo and show us the situation please?

SwanJon

Don't think there are any regulations, but there is common sense.

They may not be able to swap the meter if they are unaware of it's height (if they don't bring a ladder).
Have you told SSE about the height of the meter? What did they say?

JC_Derby

So your supplier want to change the meter, but wont because of its height? if they want to change it, ultimately its there responsibility. I should leave it with them.

Johnandabby

JC_Derby wrote: »

So your supplier want to change the meter, but wont because of its height? if they want to change it, ultimately its there responsibility. I should leave it with them.

No, the supplier IS going to change the meter for a prepayment meter, which is going to be too high for the OP to safely charge. Therefore choice of either being plunged into darkness or getting a step ladder every time it needs charging.

The meter needs to be positioned where it can be read safely - this would also relate to safe charging. You should speak to them again and keep mentioning that it's too high to reach safely and it needs to be moved. Obviously moving it is a lot more work than a simple replacement, so they're not going to do it willingly.

t0rt0ise

When I moved in here in 2010 there was a prepayment meter up by the ceiling and it's an old georgian house with very high ceilings. We had to stand on the top of a step ladder to feed it. They changed it for us to a normal meter but would not move it. The guy who changed it was not impressed with having to balance on the top of a step ladder to do it.

So yes, they will do it and you will have to buy a step ladder. I still have to do that to read the meter now.

[Deleted User]

Theres hundreds and thousands of electric meters high up over doorways. I know of whole estates with all the meters being at least 6 foot high. any meter fitter turning up and running away like a big girl because of a fear of heights should nt be in the job. I think some refuse just to get out of what looks like a slow and awkward job, some do the same if they are tucked away at floor level deep under the stairs. Then, the get-out clause is " its because its too near the gas meter " latest regs etc, and off they go, leaving the long suffering householder bewildered and angry after waiting in all day

Atidi

SwanJon wrote: »

They may not be able to swap the meter if they are unaware of it's height (if they don't bring a ladder).

Health & Safety mate!

Ladders are not to be used as a working platform; they may only be used as a means to access a safe working platform.

It sounds like they will have to install some sort of working platform - so ask them to leave it in place so you can top up the meter as required.

undaunted

Wywth wrote: »

How is the guy going to move it if you can't reach it even stood on a chair?

How do you (or anyone) manage to read the meter today?

Could you take us a photo and show us the situation please?

Irrelevant / not the customers problem!

They can move it but in reality simply do not want to move it - because it costs money to do so. Perhaps they know you can't afford to pay for it but they don't want to either?

If you happen to be on the priority services register (eg pensioner, disabled, in long term ill health, sight or hearing impaired) you would have an even stronger argument for moving it on safety grounds & will also not have to pay for it to be moved

Try a look at http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/consumer_w/consumer_energy_and_water_supply_e/consumer_energy_supply_e/consumer_energy_and_your_home_e/consumer_energy_work_e/moving_your_gas_or_electricity_meter_or_changing_your_connection.htm

and if you think you may be eligible for the p.s.r http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/get-advice/energy/households/help-for-vulnerable-consumers


There are regulations re installation of meters generally but whether you can follow them / find any help in them is another matter I'm afraid

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/29/schedule/7


http://www.mocopa.org.uk/assets/documents/MOCOPA%20v3.2.pdf


http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1565/contents/made