change meter

gedrob

Hi,
I'm an 85 yr old invalid and only have one eye which has a cataract, I have been sending dual fuel meter readings online, I now find the electric meter difficult to read as it is dial type, 26 yr old, I recently spoke to BG CS with regard to changing it to more modern one, either digital or Smart meter, I was told that as I had requested there would be a charge, but they couldn't tell me what it would be until I ordered it.
I never use estimated bills, just pay whatever it comes to.

Considering the age of the meter, why should I have to pay for a replacement ?

thanks
gedrob

macman

Because the meter is not your property, and it's up to the supplier as to when they upgrade it-from their point of view it's still serviceable (which doesn't help your problem). If you request a meter change it will normally be around £60.,
Is there no-one who could help you to read the meter once a quarter though? You might be better off using monthly DD and so evening out your bills over the year. You'd also probably get a better tariff rate on monthly DD.

gedrob

Thanks for the reply macman, if I do decide to get it changed, £60 not too bad I suppose, as long as it's digital or Smart meter I shall be able to read it, of course, with the Smart one it's already done for you.

Don't know anyone who can read a dial meter, they can be tricky, as you know, when the hand is hovering over the zero, I have a carer who comes every day, offered to to read it, oh dear, she made it 1010 more units than it really was, very nice lady, not into tech. so I didn't say anything, are the Smart Meters in use anywhere yet ?

cheers
gedrob

macman

Totally agree with you, even those with good sight can misread dial meters. Have you a phone with a camera on it? Take a picture of the meter dials, transfer it to your PC/laptop and you may be able to read it better there than in a dark cupboard etc?
However, if you have regular readings by your carer, you should be able to work out from her readings what the correct ones should be, if your consumption is steady? As I pointed out, if you switch to monthly DD, then only a quarterly reading is necessary.
Register for BG smart meters here:
http://www.britishgas.co.uk/new-smart-experience/register-interest.html

gedrob

Yeah, camera's not very good on my phone, must get a better one.

gedrob

Consumerist

Are you on BG's <Priority Services Register> ? If not, it may help to get registered.

MeterMan

Contact BG again, tell them the meter has stopped working and the reading hasn't changed in a month.

Meter engineer will come out and change it.

Consumerist

MeterMan wrote: »

Contact BG again, tell them the meter has stopped working and the reading hasn't changed in a month. Meter engineer will come out and change it.

Not sure that's a good idea. If they find the meter is working, they may want to charge for the visit. If they take your word for it, they'll probably add a month's consumption to your bill.

chanz4

take a pic and post it

[Deleted User]

Consumerist has got it right, get onto BG and move onto the Priority Services Register and get regular quarterly visits from meter readers. BG have been doing everything possible the last two years to avoid the costs of meter readers visiting customers like you.
Absolutly disgraceful antics from BG, like getting call centres phoning up 89 year olds ( eg my mum )to stand on stools with a torch to try and read a difficult meter. Dont take any nonsense from BG and demand a meter reader visit or switch supplier. I have found them to be calling someone up who can only read with a large magnifying class who was almost blind. I am very surprised that BG havent been stopped/sued/prosecuted from cold phoning people who are nt fit to read meters just to save a few pence on metering costs

SwanJon

Give the team a call on 0800 072 8625.
It might be that they can't get you a Smart meter, but they should be able to switch you to a digital read meter.