We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
electric meter is running fast and the seals are broken
PollySouthend
Posts: 396 Forumite
in Energy
Hello,
I bought a house last year however was only there occasionally so didn't pay much attention to the electric bills.
However two months ago I moved into this place full time and on checking meter readings they are almost double in my new place as I take a monthly reading and using all the same equipment as my last place. There is no electric heating in my new place or anything to account for double usuage.
The meter is very very old, not digital and covered with cobwebs. However the seals are broken and I can get inside the meter.
If I call the board to replace it will I get in trouble for not reporting sooner that the seals had been tampered with? Even though it is not me that did it.
I bought a house last year however was only there occasionally so didn't pay much attention to the electric bills.
However two months ago I moved into this place full time and on checking meter readings they are almost double in my new place as I take a monthly reading and using all the same equipment as my last place. There is no electric heating in my new place or anything to account for double usuage.
The meter is very very old, not digital and covered with cobwebs. However the seals are broken and I can get inside the meter.
If I call the board to replace it will I get in trouble for not reporting sooner that the seals had been tampered with? Even though it is not me that did it.
0
Comments
-
Report it today to both your landlord, the electricity supplier and, if relevant, the letting agency as you are in a potentially messy situation.
Take photos (digital and film)?
Best of luck!0 -
Fortunately, cobwebs are not known to increase the recoded consumption! Your old meter has a lifespan of 20 years before replacement, and as you didn't break the seals there is nothing to worth about. If meter readers gave not commented or reported on it, there's no reason who you should have to.
Two things though - start noting your meter readings weekly at the same time on each day (easier to compare) and just for fun, kill the main breaker switch after taking a reading. Some 6 hours later, take another reading and restore power. If the meter read is not the same, you have issues you need to check urgently.0 -
Fortunately, cobwebs are not known to increase the recoded consumption! Your old meter has a lifespan of 20 years before replacement, and as you didn't break the seals there is nothing to worth about. If meter readers gave not commented or reported on it, there's no reason who you should have to.
Two things though - start noting your meter readings weekly at the same time on each day (easier to compare) and just for fun, kill the main breaker switch after taking a reading. Some 6 hours later, take another reading and restore power. If the meter read is not the same, you have issues you need to check urgently.
If the above test works - shows no power used - then run (only) a 2kW fan for half an hour, and check it's read one unit.
this will give you an idea if it's actually overreading.0 -
DigForVictory wrote: »Report it today to both your landlord, the electricity supplier and, if relevant, the letting agency as you are in a potentially messy situation.
Take photos (digital and film)?
Best of luck!
It is my house so no letting agent and landlord!0 -
Fortunately, cobwebs are not known to increase the recoded consumption! Your old meter has a lifespan of 20 years before replacement, and as you didn't break the seals there is nothing to worth about. If meter readers gave not commented or reported on it, there's no reason who you should have to.
Two things though - start noting your meter readings weekly at the same time on each day (easier to compare) and just for fun, kill the main breaker switch after taking a reading. Some 6 hours later, take another reading and restore power. If the meter read is not the same, you have issues you need to check urgently.
Lol thanks for reassuring about the cobwebs!
What happens after 20 years? do the meter readings generally get less accurate? higher or lower?
Will try cutting the power and testing it with a fan heater, dont have one but will try to borrow one.0 -
Also the meter sometimes rattles ive noticed, then if i hit it the rattling stops.
A 3 min shower used a whole unit, seams very very high!0 -
3 min * 9kW = .05h*9kW( a typical shower rating) = .45kWh.
however - are you sure it was 3, not 6 mins?0 -
Yep, I used stopwatch on phone lol!rogerblack wrote: »3 min * 9kW = .05h*9kW( a typical shower rating) = .45kWh.
however - are you sure it was 3, not 6 mins?0 -
It seems very odd that your precisely timed 3 min shower used exactly 1 unit!
Did you read the meter correctly?
7683.6
7684.1
Has that incremented by 1 unit?
It was actually 3min 21, but rounded it down for the sake of simpleness
Of course that hasn't increased by 1 unit, I know how to read the meter.0 -
Meaningless though without knowing the actual power rating of your shower. Could be anything from 7kW to 10.No free lunch, and no free laptop
0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 347.2K Banking & Borrowing
- 251.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 451.8K Spending & Discounts
- 239.5K Work, Benefits & Business
- 615.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 175.1K Life & Family
- 252.8K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards