Compensation for faulty electricity meter

virtualsphere

Hello,
Hoping someone can help. Our electricity meter has recently proven to be faulty and was replaced by another meter last month as it failed while the supplier's electrician was testing it. We were alerted to the problem when we were charged for an average of 15 units of electricity during our most recent bill and owed our supplier over £200. During the test, and before the meter failed, the electrician observed that the meter continued to flash while the main power supply was turned off.

Since the new meter was fitted we have monitored the usage and are averaging between 7 and 8 units a day. This matches our use before the faulty meter was fitted in 2008. Unfortunately, having gone through our old bills (all of which I have kept), I have noticed that the meter readings started to rise as soon as the faulty meter was fitted, which means that we have overpaid since September 2008. We noticed an increase at the time when our average usage rose to 10 - 11 units, but as we had a baby during the same month in September 2008, thought the higher bills were due to increased electricity use through microwave sterilising, higher washing machine use etc.

We have had the same supplier throughout this time. Does anyone know if they are liable to pay back the entire cost increase between the time the faulty meter was installed in 2008, or if they be able to claim that they only have to pay back the costs over the last bill that we have queried? I would be grateful for any advice about what we are legally entitled to in compensation before speaking to the supplier, who have promised to contact us one month after the new meter was fitted to discuss the problem.

Many thanks for your help.

vaio

if you can prove (balance of probabilities) that the meter has been over charging then you can reclaim for 6 years

Truepat

According to this site the supplier has to give you a refund. They may dispute the amount but you need to get in touch with them ASAP. Hopefully you got a report from the engineer.

keyser666

Get onto it straight away as advised above because you will be hitting the 6 years this year

virtualsphere

Thanks very much for all of your replies!
This is very good news. The supplier have had the report from the engineer and are aware of the problem. Once the one month period is up, they will be taking a new reading to see what our average usage is, so we will be within the 6 year period. Knowing my rights will help argue my case for a refund! :T