Help! Economy seven clock is wrong!

jamez79

Hi, I have received a bill from my electricity supplier (powergen) and it's considerably higher than expected. £250 as opposed to usually being £130 ish per quarter. Thinking the meter readings must have been incorrect, i checked them to find they were okay. They were read by a meter reader on 29th May 2007. However, when i checked the readings i noticed that the clock, which i think is used to switch between standard and economy seven rates, is out by a whopping 5 and a half hours. So when it's really midnight, the clock on the meter shows 18.30 hours. So regardless of me trying to save money and be cost efficient using economy seven to wash clothes etc, i've been charged at standard rate. The cover protecting the clock timer has tamper proof tags so i can prove i've not touched it. Can someone advise me of what to do in order to try and recoup my losses. Surely the suppliers have a duty of care to ensure the clocks are accurate to effectively charge customers the correct rate. I've had the house for three years, what can i do?

All help greatly recieved.

Thank you.

James

paulmcfadyen

IIRC the supplier can offer you cheap rate electricity for 7 hours at their own discretion. I don't think these have to be at night or even the same 7 hours each day. As the timer equipment remains the property of the electricity company, you may not have a leg to stand on.

jamez79

Hi,

For anyone else's info that may be in the same boat as i am....

I gave powergen a call and they've arranged for someone to come and check the meter. They said that they'll automatically adjust my bill once it's done, but to give them a call in a few weeks to check it has been sorted.

Regards,

James

changkra

must admit i have a white meter and it is out by about 2 hours, always has been.

tripled

If it's out by a small amount then it is unlikely you can get it adjusted, but if it is a large amount then as you've found out it shouldn't be a problem.

david29dpo

my mom had this. she got £80 compo from npower no problem. they went though all the bills to find out a trend to when the clock went wrong. the meter man came out to put the clock right but hinted its best to leave it has it was! she now has e7 from 8am to 3pm. great!