New meter and old use

Jemima5317

Hi all,

would be grateful for some advice. After providing a meter reading, utility co said it was the same as that provided in August 2012 - to cut a long story short, my meter has stopped - no idea why.

Utility co have said they will come and fit a new meter, but I'm a bit worried as they've said they'll take a "Back reading" to assess my use - how can they do that? I have no issue with paying whatever I owe, but I'm concerned as when the meter definitely was working, they consistently refused to believe my use was as low as it was - the fact that I had an enormous immersion heater and storage heaters removed when I had central heating put in 7 years ago is still not believed! I don't mind if they review use for a month and base it on the average, as I would udnerstand that, but I don't understand how they can do a "back reading" - there isn't a meter outside, otherwise why would there be one inside?!

Grateful for any guidance or tips to deal with the new (hopefully not too huge) bill. Can't beleive I didn't notice the meter had stopped...:o

Jx

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Jemima5317 wrote: »

Hi all,

would be grateful for some advice. After providing a meter reading, utility co said it was the same as that provided in August 2012 - to cut a long story short, my meter has stopped - no idea why.

Utility co have said they will come and fit a new meter, but I'm a bit worried as they've said they'll take a "Back reading" to assess my use - how can they do that? I have no issue with paying whatever I owe, but I'm concerned as when the meter definitely was working, they consistently refused to believe my use was as low as it was - the fact that I had an enormous immersion heater and storage heaters removed when I had central heating put in 7 years ago is still not believed! I don't mind if they review use for a month and base it on the average, as I would udnerstand that, but I don't understand how they can do a "back reading" - there isn't a meter outside, otherwise why would there be one inside?!

Grateful for any guidance or tips to deal with the new (hopefully not too huge) bill. Can't beleive I didn't notice the meter had stopped...:o

Jx

As you say, you are happy to pay for what you'ev consumed.

But a year has passed, so presumably 4 estimated bills, which is not paying for what you have actually consumed.

The supplier estimate your usage during the period the meter was not known to be working using actual meter reads obtained before that time whilst you were a customer, or future actual meter reads.

It's the best they can do in the circumstance, unless you have a better solution.

Battleaxe44

Our old electricity meter went on the blink reading a flashing 9999999999, we notified the utility company. we don't know how long it had been reading this and flashing until we opened the cabinet door to reset a tripped fuse.

They came out installed a new meter and then averaged our account from the last bill to the next bill. There wasn't much of a variation I think a few pounds.. From memory they did this in quarter and compared our consumption in the same quarter in the previous year. I suppose we found our faulty meter early.

macman

When usage has to be estimated, the customer invariably comes off ahead-not to mention the effective interest free loan that they've been giving you if you've been underbilled on estimated readings.

Battleaxe44

macman wrote: »

When usage has to be estimated, the customer invariably comes off ahead-not to mention the effective interest free loan that they've been giving you if you've been underbilled on estimated readings.

Thank goodness ours went on the blink after the meter had been read for the previous quarter. So no interest free loan here..:D

chanz4

just think they will be billing on summer usage, remember they can only go back 12 months also

Jemima5317

Thanks all - I've been paying my direct debit every month, but just wasn't sure how they could back bill - I had to fight for a £900 refund two years ago (for avoidance of doubt, meter was definitely working then, as they refused to believe me and sent someone out to check - and it had moved on from the reading I sent, so I know the meter was working!) so I was worried they'd go back to the £45 per month they charged based on storage heaters and I'd have to go through the whole massive credit saga again - not very moneysaving at all, to have let it ride, was it?! But I am being more careful now, hence the question.

Thanks all for your replies... will wait and see what the damage is :-).

Jx

[Deleted User]

Hi Jemima5317, I assume you are talking about a stopped electric meter. Its more common than you would expect, yesterday I came accross two stopped electric meters both Sangamo Weston meters which have a habit for some unknown reason of showing a blank on the 5 th digit. Thats when the meter stops. The suppliers always seem to favour the customer with more than reasonable back billing, if any at all, if you fight your corner.

chanz4

sacsquacco wrote: »

Hi Jemima5317, I assume you are talking about a stopped electric meter. Its more common than you would expect, yesterday I came accross two stopped electric meters both Sangamo Weston meters which have a habit for some unknown reason of showing a blank on the 5 th digit. Thats when the meter stops. The suppliers always seem to favour the customer with more than reasonable back billing, if any at all, if you fight your corner.

if you ever see five hash marks its valve on gas