Electric meter - strange behaviour

gsf600y

Hi,
I've got an electricity meter pretty much same as this:


It has two readings on it. A "1" and a "2".
My electricity bills, based on Economy 7, have always had Day and Night charges, and accurately reflect the meter readings.

Here's the things I don't understand.
1) Currently BOTH my 1 and 2 readings are increasing during the day.
2) My night time usage according to my bills represent about 25% to 35% of the total cost, despite the fact that virtually everything is powered off overnight, every night, from about 11pm to 7am.
3) I thought my Night readings on my bill were supposed to represent the Economy 7 times, 23:30 to 07:00 in my area - is that right?

Worried that I'm being over charged.

Hope someone can help
Thanks

Consumerist

gsf600y wrote: »

Here's the things I don't understand.
1) Currently BOTH my 1 and 2 readings are increasing during the day.
2) My night time usage according to my bills represent about 25% to 35% of the total cost, despite the fact that virtually everything is powered off overnight, every night, from about 11pm to 7am.
3) I thought my Night readings on my bill were supposed to represent the Economy 7 times, 23:30 to 07:00 in my area - is that right?

It does seem odd that both tariffs are clocking up at the same time. It is possible that a previous occupier had one of those esoteric tariffs which supply different appliances on different circuits from the meter. You should have your meter and wiring arrangement checked.

Point arising: If you don't use any energy overnight, why are you on an Economy7 tariff?

[Deleted User]

Are 1 and 2 both advancing precisely at the same time.? on that meter, rate 1 is mostly day rate, but could be night rate also. The rate which either flashes or has a blinking curser is the active rate. The timer switch controls the switchover times which, if the timeswitch is correct ( radio teleswitch timer ) is 12.30 to 7.30 , but if its and old analogue timer switch the 7 hours cheap rate could be anywhere within the 24 hour period. There is a pointer at the bottom of these timers to indicate what time it thinks its on. when these timers are out it is to your advantage as it will skew the cheap rate into a more usable period. maybe this is why you think they are both advancing in the daytime
That meter you have there is very unusual, I never see that meter with 7 numbers ,its usually 5 numbers in my area. Solar panel meters have 6 and 7 numbers sometimes tho

[Deleted User]

Hi,

sacsquacco wrote: »

That meter you have there is very unusual, I never see that meter with 7 numbers ,its usually 5 numbers in my area. Solar panel meters have 6 and 7 numbers sometimes tho

if you look closely you will see a point between the 2 and the 6.

gsf600y

Thanks for your replies.

I'll get some more accurate readings over the weekend, when I'm at home, but basically, we took readings at around 2pm, 6pm, 11pm, and this morning at 7am.
Each reading, 1 and 2 had both increased. So they're definitely both increasing.

The house is mid 80's, and we've had the house in the family from new. Only ever had "normal" tariffs.
That photo isn't my meter - just showing roughly what type mine is.
You're right though, mine only has 5 digits.

As for Economy 7 - yes, I've been wondering if it is actually not the best choice for us, which is when I started looking at the usage and the meter, and discovered this oddity. None of our appliances have timers built in, so we make no use of the Economy 7 hours (despite our bills saying we do).

I'll update with accurate readings over weekend.
I've also got a wireless OWL electricity monitor, so I'll take KW readings from that too, and see how everything tallies up!!

[Deleted User]

gsf600y wrote: »

Thanks for your replies.

I'll get some more accurate readings over the weekend, when I'm at home, but basically, we took readings at around 2pm, 6pm, 11pm, and this morning at 7am.
Each reading, 1 and 2 had both increased. So they're definitely both increasing.

The house is mid 80's, and we've had the house in the family from new. Only ever had "normal" tariffs.
That photo isn't my meter - just showing roughly what type mine is.
You're right though, mine only has 5 digits.

As for Economy 7 - yes, I've been wondering if it is actually not the best choice for us, which is when I started looking at the usage and the meter, and discovered this oddity. None of our appliances have timers built in, so we make no use of the Economy 7 hours (despite our bills saying we do).

I'll update with accurate readings over weekend.
I've also got a wireless OWL electricity monitor, so I'll take KW readings from that too, and see how everything tallies up!!

They would both advance in the daytime hours if the cheap 7 hour rate had been skewed into the daytime hours. I find many eco 7 meters happily clicking up the nightime rate digits at 3 pm in the afternoon. Look upon that as a positive , at least you get the cheap rate in a decent hour to make use of it. If thats the case, try and work out the on and off times of the cheap rate so you can make best use. Flashing digits or curser would show the active rate. ignore the "T " for total

gsf600y

sacsquacco wrote: »

They would both advance in the daytime hours if the cheap 7 hour rate had been skewed into the daytime hours.

Wouldn't that mean I'm paying twice for the same electricity though?
Or do they both increase at slower rates?
(sorry if that sounds stupid, I don't really know how the meters work).

I'll start my hourly logging tomorrow morning.

gsf600y

And here some piccies of the gear inside my actual meter box:

Note the TIME indicates 6am!!!

And here is the digital meter:


Note, at 20:37, "2" was flashing.

MK55

Sounds like you have a faulty time switch. This will mean the meter is moving at the wrong times. You definitely aren't paying for the same energy twice.

Ring your provider then ask them to compare reads after

gsf600y

That dial has moved from 6 to 7 in 30 mins! Is that right?

[Deleted User]

Hi mate, the timers not really faulty, its just doing you a favour by moving the 7 hours around to another period other than the nominal 12.30 to 7.30. The suppliers all seem ok with this otherwise something would be done to correct the analogue timer switch.. You are not paying twice .rate 2 is night rate so whatever the true time is when you viewed that meter its obvious you will be getting your cheap rate in a nice time for making better use of it rather than the dead of night. If you have night storage heaters, they will be wired into coming on only in the cheap rate period. Just monitor your meter to see when the night switches to day, then you can see the start and finish times of the cheap rate. I dont think the suppliers actually guarantee when the cheap rate starts and stops as its beyond their control these timer switches being accurate
By saying that both advance in the daytime , I meant that the 7 hours night would move and the day rate would also move , but at different times, not in time together