Meter Problems

Drumbum

I had a bill meter for years, I always thought my electricity consumption was very very high, the meter was checked in 2008 and they said it was working fine, I took that as being correct and paid the huge amounts being asked of me, this year I got into debt with the electricity company and they put a prepayment meter in to recover their costs.

They left me with 25 credit on my meter and in 10 days I still have £16 left, I knew I wasn't using that much electricity anyway, does anyone have any contact numbers/email for Scottish power so I can speak to someone, last year I was charged £1200 for electricity alone and a further £600 for gas, I believe the 600 for gas as during the winter I do have my heating on a lot, but 1200 for electricity is just insane. I prefer the 80p - 90p a day im using now and wish I had done it sooner.

regards

bob_bank_spanker

When was the meter changed? Were you actually charged £1200 pounds last year, or was this the credit balance when the change took place? If its the latter that could have built up over time.

It's difficult to give solid advise without seeing your consumption figures, however as you've discovered meters are very rarely inaccurate. If you're finding that you've been paying less recently, it's probably because you've been using less.

Drumbum

I actually paid 1200 just for electricity last year, up until December I always paid my electricity bills, but this year Ive struggled with being unemployed and losing my job in January, in the 6 months Ive apparently used 600 for electricity, which seems excessive.

In my house I have

TV
Sky Box
Stereo
Slow cooker
Cooker
Fridge Freezer
Shower
clock
Router
Laptop
Washer/dryer
Phone charging
Two bedside lights
Lights in each room, Livingroom,kitchen,2 bedrooms,lobby,bathroom.

All these things use electricity but I don't see how running these thing periodically could amount to 1200 a year with the exception of the fridge freezer which stays on.

The prepayment meter was installed 10 days ago, Im now using less than £1 a day, which equates to < 365 a year, lets say 500 a year and push the estimate up, even then its a far cry from 1200, ive never been a huge user of electricity, I live alone in a 2bed house and in the winter I do use a lot of gas but that's about it.

Something must have been wrong with that meter, now its all good with the new meter and closer to what I expected to be paying years ago. I should be using more now as Im not working and I have the tv on a few times a day and listen to the stereo more and probably use the cooker more too.

has anyone managed to successfully claim money back for a broken meter?

bob_bank_spanker

Drumbum wrote: »

has anyone managed to successfully claim money back for a broken meter?

People have. But there's no evidence yours is faulty?

[Deleted User]

check screen "S " with key inserted to see how much debt, if any, is on the meter. I think the next screen, " T " shows the weekly amount that is recovered. There is also a daily standing charge on meters now, approx 12p -14 p

sheffield_lad

It's summer time now but do you use any heating (underfloor or conservatory),or water heating in the winter months? One small electric heater can use more than the rest of your appliance list put together and then some.

Drumbum

I only use gas to heat the house and hot water, The 600 a year gas is ok as during the winter I keep my heating on a lot, in the summer I use it only for hot water and the occasional cold day.
I cant believe the money im saving having a prepayment meter, 90p a day has a much nicer ring to it compared to the £3.50 a day I was being charged only a few weeks ago, all happening the day the meter was changed, something was not right. if the variation was only +- £1 id understand that I what im using might have an effect but with such a large change its crazy to think that my old meter was somehow in perfect working order.