Can an Electric Meter simply malfunction?

Fire_Fox

zoomaster wrote: »

The display on our meter has malfunctioned and replaced by a new meter EON are proposing to calculate our bill on an estimate of pass usage since there is no reading to determine our usage since the last time the meter was read. Im wondering what our legal standing is here cos they cant possible know what our lifestyle has been over the last couple of monthes ie we might have been away for several weeks and not used any power at all ?

If you have been away for several weeks inform EON and send proof if needs be (plane tickets to Timbuctoo, passport entries, bank statements showing transactions in Timbuctoo, letter from work about your extended leave, e-mail from insurer confirmed they know your house is vacant, itemised landline bill showing no calls etc). It's unlikely you'd have used no power in the winter, you would have left your heating on frost protect at least.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

zoomaster wrote: »

The display on our meter has malfunctioned and replaced by a new meter EON are proposing to calculate our bill on an estimate of pass usage since there is no reading to determine our usage since the last time the meter was read. Im wondering what our legal standing is here cos they cant possible know what our lifestyle has been over the last couple of monthes ie we might have been away for several weeks and not used any power at all ?

Hi zoomaster

I'm sorry you've had a problem with a faulty meter.

Just thought I'd give you a bit of info on what usually happens in these situations.

We'll go back to where we last had a valid reading and re-bill from there through to the meter exchange using estimated readings.

These estimates are usually based on future usage and we'll re-bill at the prices current when the energy was used. Seasonal variations will also be taken into consideration.

Let us know if you disagree with the estimates used. We'll be happy to review the figures and explain how we've arrived at the readings in question.

As others have said, if you dispute our figures, let us have as much supporting evidence as poss. This will speed up the resolution.

If it turns out we've overcharged you in the past and there's a credit balance on the account, we'll refund this immediately.

However, should a debit balance be the outcome, we'll be happy to set up a payment arrangement to spread this over a similar period that the meter was faulty.

Hope this is of interest zoomaster. Let me know if you need any more info as will be happy to help.

Malc

157Rusty

I appreciate that this is an old thread, but I came across it while searching for info on metering problems I'm having - so thought I'd add my details in case anyone else does the same.

My electric meter (white digital type) started over-reading by almost 100%. The main clue was when I found it was still reading significant consumption even with the main switch turned off at the consumer unit.

My supplier (Southern Electric) fitted an identical check meter which confirmed the over-read. They told me that everything should be sorted in about six weeks. However, 11 weeks on and I'm no closer to being back to normal.

I won't go into details as I'll end up ranting. But the short version is that although SSE agree that the old meter is significantly over-reading they seem to be going out of their way to avoid actually taking it out and refunding me. It's got to the stage where friends have starting taking bets on what their next excuse will be.

So even when you have managed to persuade your supplier that your meter is is faulty, don't assume that they will just sort everthing out without a lot of hassle...

Southern_Electric_company_representative

Hi 157Rusty, sorry to hear that your issue has not been resolved by our call centre.

Please contact me via the address on our profile and I will take a look at this situation to see what I can do here to help resolve the matter.

Many thanks,

Holly.