confusion re eon meter readings/can't establish usage or get meter reader to turn up

catalina66

Hi :-)

Moved into this small bungalow in July ... first time with all electricity/storage heaters. There's been hassle about meter readings ... meter reader months ago could only get 2 readings entered in then the numbers went through to wherever they go. There are 4 readings available, after pressing blue button to go to all zeros. He said to press to all zeros, then press 4 times, recording each number. I'd arranged for a meter reading on nov 20th anyway, ready for billing which was due on 22nd. They never turned up to do the reading. Tried myself, following previous instructions; eon say readings don't seem right, yet I did exactly as instructed. They wouldn't arrange a new meter reading appointment; said they were due to call out some time anyway, and to wait and get new bill then can call up and arrange.

No idea what is going on with reading this meter and getting accurate bills. Estimated says I owe £132 for October and November. Before that I'd paid about £55 for mid-July to September. Whenever I've tried to sort out accurate readings, so I can set up an accurate DD, just isn't happening. Very confused by meter, and hassle with getting a meter reader to come out. I'm on EnergyPlan apparently.

Would much appreciate advice.
Many thanks, Cat

[Deleted User]

With the blue button eco 7 meters you are only interested in rates 1 and 2. It will also show a "t " for total and maybe a display of 88888 s , some show date and time. Most blue button meters default to show the active rate in the display when you look at the meter, so if you view in the daytime , the day rate will be showing. Also it may show a blinking curser / reading to show the active rate which could be either rate 1 or 2, so the other rate would be the night rate

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi Cat

I'm really sorry our meter reader didn't turn up.

Sacsquacco's excellent advice may well sort this out for you. If not, you could have what's known as a complex meter.

These are multi-rate meters that are usually found in all electric properties with storage heaters.

Complex meters give customers a number of hours of cheaper off peak electricity each day for heating/water heating purposes.

There are various types in existence and the actual number of off peak hours depends on the region and type of meter.

For example, in the East Midlands region, there are still some Heatwise meters around. Some of these have a blue button and 4 separate meter readings.

I'm not saying it's one of these meters. It's more likely to be as sacsquacco says but thought I'd mention it just in case.

Drop an email to the address in my Profile if you're still having difficulties. I'll be happy to take a look for you.

Malc

catalina66

sacsquacco wrote: »

With the blue button eco 7 meters you are only interested in rates 1 and 2. It will also show a "t " for total and maybe a display of 88888 s , some show date and time. Most blue button meters default to show the active rate in the display when you look at the meter, so if you view in the daytime , the day rate will be showing. Also it may show a blinking curser / reading to show the active rate which could be either rate 1 or 2, so the other rate would be the night rate

Thank you sacsquacco :-) Am attaching some pics in a moment. Such an awkward meter to reach too ... placed low, and I have severe mobility problems. Have stored minimum in that cupboard, to leave as much space as possible for reading the meter, but still very difficult to do myself. I can't see if it's blinking right now, but pics may clarify which it is.

catalina66

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

Hi Cat

I'm really sorry our meter reader didn't turn up.

Sacsquacco's excellent advice may well sort this out for you. If not, you could have what's known as a complex meter.

These are multi-rate meters that are usually found in all electric properties with storage heaters.

Complex meters give customers a number of hours of cheaper off peak electricity each day for heating/water heating purposes.

There are various types in existence and the actual number of off peak hours depends on the region and type of meter.

For example, in the East Midlands region, there are still some Heatwise meters around. Some of these have a blue button and 4 separate meter readings.

I'm not saying it's one of these meters. It's more likely to be as sacsquacco says but thought I'd mention it just in case.

Drop an email to the address in my Profile if you're still having difficulties. I'll be happy to take a look for you.

Malc

Thank you Malc :-) Much appreciate. I'm in Middlesbrough. Attaching pics, as to ID what meter it is, and what it does also, would be great. I have no idea what the off peak hours are etc. I just keep the minimum storage heaters on at lowest settings. I've gathered the right hand dial on heaters is about storage of heat, so that would release heat slower? but not cost more? No instructions at all about heaters or the meter, except for the meter guy telling me how to read it when I asked, but the readings I've done being said to be wrong, as well as very difficult for me to do, is very confusing. Thanks again.

catalina66

At last managed to photograph the numbers ... 2 pics that show what is displaying now.

[Deleted User]

catalina66 wrote: »

At last managed to photograph the numbers ... 2 pics that show what is displaying now.

Well done for getting the pics on . That meter shows rate 1 and "rate now " which means , assuming you viewed the meter in the daytime up to 12.30 am , that rate 1 is day/normal and rate 2 will be the low/night. the meter switchover times are controlled by timerswitches. Radio teleswitch timers are very accurate but if its controlled by a circular analog timer it could be switching onto the cheap rate at any time. Normal eco 7 times are between 12 am and 8 am ( its 12.30 am to 7.30 am in my area ) so keep an eye on the meter to see which time that rate 2 is displayed with "rate now ", then you know you are on the very cheap rate. Thats when you want your night storage to be switching on ( its normally wired direct to come on only when the cheap rate is on. also try and do any heavy electrical use such as ironing, electric showers, dryers etc when the cheap rate is on

catalina66

sacsquacco wrote: »

Well done for getting the pics on . That meter shows rate 1 and "rate now " which means , assuming you viewed the meter in the daytime up to 12.30 am , that rate 1 is day/normal and rate 2 will be the low/night. the meter switchover times are controlled by timerswitches. Radio teleswitch timers are very accurate but if its controlled by a circular analog timer it could be switching onto the cheap rate at any time. Normal eco 7 times are between 12 am and 8 am ( its 12.30 am to 7.30 am in my area ) so keep an eye on the meter to see which time that rate 2 is displayed with "rate now ", then you know you are on the very cheap rate. Thats when you want your night storage to be switching on ( its normally wired direct to come on only when the cheap rate is on. also try and do any heavy electrical use such as ironing, electric showers, dryers etc when the cheap rate is on

Thanks sacsquacco :-) Just looked at it now (early hours) and it's showing number 2 now. Glad to hear that the storage heaters are generally wired to only come on at cheap rate times ... I just leave the settings as they are on the 3 heaters I'm running, and tweak slightly as needed. Will definitely aim for the cheap rate hours more. So pressing to all zero's must then give 1 and 2's display first ... it's surreal, as their own estimated bill details 4 estimated sets of numbers, but when I give the present 4 sets of numbers, that seems to be wrong. Maybe they think usage is too low, but I really don't use much at all. One huge wish is to be at the top of the smart meter list, lol, as taking the readings is so awkward!

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi Cat

Thanks for posting the pics. You've a type of complex meter similar to the one I mentioned yesterday.

It's what's known as a Restricted Hour Tariff (RHT) meter. This particular one is found in the old Northern Electricity region.

RHT meters provide electricity at a cheaper off peak rate at certain times during every 24 hour period. This is usually for things like storage heaters and water immersion heaters.

As sacsquacco says, the meter will be wired into the heating circuits at the property. This is to allow the storage heaters to come on during the off peak times and to turn off again when the cheaper period ends.

Generally, storage heaters charge up during the off peak times and then release the heat gradually throughout the day.

As well as the heating, this type of meter will give you a number of hours at night when all electricity is charged at the off peak rates.

With this meter, there's also a boost button to let you top up the heating/water heating whenever you like. Please be aware, if you press the boost during the peak hours, you'll be charged at the higher rate.

This particular meter will have 4 separate readings as follows.

All daytime peak usage.
All night off peak usage.
Usage for heating/water heating purposes only during the off peak times.
Usage through the boost facility.

I suspect you've not used the boost and this is the reading showing as zero.

Also agree with sacsquacco, the reading in the pic starting 234 looks like the day rate.

If you let us have all four readings, we'll be happy to bill your account up to date. We can also tell you the exact times when the off peak rates are active.

Hope this helps Cat.

Malc

catalina66

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

Hi You've a type of complex meter similar to the one I mentioned yesterday.
It's what's known as a Restricted Hour Tariff (RHT) meter. This particular one is found in the old Northern Electricity region.

As sacsquacco says, the meter will be wired into the heating circuits at the property. This is to allow the storage heaters to come on during the off peak times and to turn off again when the cheaper period ends.
As well as the heating, this type of meter will give you a number of hours at night when all electricity is charged at the off peak rates.

This particular meter will have 4 separate readings as follows.
All daytime peak usage.
All night off peak usage.
Usage for heating/water heating purposes only during the off peak times.
Usage through the boost facility.
I suspect you've not used the boost and this is the reading showing as zero.

Also agree with sacsquacco, the reading in the pic starting 234 looks like the day rate.
If you let us have all four readings, we'll be happy to bill your account up to date. We can also tell you the exact times when the off peak rates are active.

Thanks Malc :-) Great to know more about the meter, and thank you for listing what the 4 readings are about especially. Yes, never touched the boost button. Thankfully heaters give off a lot of heat, so it's been about setting them low enough.

It is difficult for me to take the readings myself, which is why I was so disappointed the meter reading wasn't done. You're being great, but I am a little wary that dealing with the faceless side of Eon might mean another meter reading appointment not being kept. Puzzles me why meters are set so low down/awkward to read, and I've signed up to register interest in the smart meter, crossing fingers about that being able to happen sooner rather than later.

That will be great to know what times the off peak rates are active. Thank you very much.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Off peak rates for the SP-Boro are 0100 to 0800 at the moment, they change in the summer to 1200 to 0700. These times are hard wired directly to your water and storage heaters so there's nothing you should be doing, and no way you could change anything even if you wanted to. That's one very old antiquated Horstmann meter.

The right hand knob on the storage radiator is the 'damper' it opens and closes a lid on the heat to allow more or less of the heat-store out. The left hand knob tells the heater how much to store in the first place. 1 is very little 7 is maximum. The right hand knob on the storage radiator should always be off or minimum while you are in bed or out of the dwelling.

If you have mobility problems you should register with their 'priority services register' this will facilitate :

- Password protection schemes and identity cards
- Quarterly meter readings so you don't get estimated bills
- Annual gas safety checks
- Your meter moved so it's easier to get to

Ask Malc to get you Priority Service Registered or ring this freephone : 0800 051 1480.