Gas man says new meter to be fitted

CazzieT

My elderly mother has recently changed to N-power. A man came to read the meter (we know this was genuine as the reading appeared in her online account which we can monitor). Today another man came to the door to tell her she will be having a new meter fitted on Thursday but she's not very good at asking the right questions in these situations so I don't know what reason he gave for replacing the current (very old) one. My guess is that the meter reader saw the need for a more up to date one. My question is: who owns the meter and is there likely to be a charge for the work?

GingerBob_3

CazzieT wrote: »

My elderly mother has recently changed to N-power. A man came to read the meter (we know this was genuine as the reading appeared in her online account which we can monitor). Today another man came to the door to tell her she will be having a new meter fitted on Thursday but she's not very good at asking the right questions in these situations so I don't know what reason he gave for replacing the current (very old) one. My guess is that the meter reader saw the need for a more up to date one. My question is: who owns the meter and is there likely to be a charge for the work?

Don't know who owns the meters, but they won't charge for this. Just make sure they're not planning on fitting a so-called "smart" meter. Such a device could compromise your mother's security (reveals to a greater or lesser extent when the house is occupied etc.).

The big question here is - why, why, why! Why npower? They are an appalling organisation, who are likely to cause you no end of trouble.

trollopscarletwoman

CazzieT wrote: »

My elderly mother has recently changed to N-power. A man came to read the meter (we know this was genuine as the reading appeared in her online account which we can monitor). Today another man came to the door to tell her she will be having a new meter fitted on Thursday but she's not very good at asking the right questions in these situations so I don't know what reason he gave for replacing the current (very old) one. My guess is that the meter reader saw the need for a more up to date one. My question is: who owns the meter and is there likely to be a charge for the work?

Don't know who owns the meter.

Interesting question who owns the meter and does ownership change if you swap supplier?

When I had a gas fire put in the gas safe engineer noticed a pressure drop therefore a leak somewhere. It was in a valve going into the meter.

A transco engineer did that `live `which was impressive as the gas cannot be turned off at that point. And free.

Perhaps they own the meter.

A little bit of info here. But as its the internet pinch of salt!





http://www.fmotl.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=8968

footyguy

CazzieT wrote: »

My elderly mother has recently changed to N-power. A man came to read the meter (we know this was genuine as the reading appeared in her online account which we can monitor). Today another man came to the door to tell her she will be having a new meter fitted on Thursday but she's not very good at asking the right questions in these situations so I don't know what reason he gave for replacing the current (very old) one. My guess is that the meter reader saw the need for a more up to date one. My question is: who owns the meter and is there likely to be a charge for the work?

You don't usually have a stranger coming to your door to tell you that you must have the meter changed.

The supplier (or their agent) usually writes to the customer and asks them to make contact to arrange a suitable appointment.
There is no charge for a routine replacement requested by the supplier.

I think you should tell your mother not to let strangers in her house and if anyone does come near for her to call the police immediately.

In the meantime, perhaps you should encourage her to contact the supplier directly and check out the authenticity of this strange caller. If it proves bogus, she should call the police about it anyway.

chanz4

The meter operators own the meters, transco dont own any no more. If the meter has reached its end of life they need to replace, people also cant really stop smart meters as you dont own it.

lstar337

GingerBob wrote: »

Don't know who owns the meters, but they won't charge for this. Just make sure they're not planning on fitting a so-called "smart" meter. Such a device could compromise your mother's security (reveals to a greater or lesser extent when the house is occupied etc.).

Light bulbs reveal when the house is occupied too, so get rid of those ASAP. :rotfl:

GingerBob_3

lstar337 wrote: »

Light bulbs reveal when the house is occupied too, so get rid of those ASAP. :rotfl:

Er, no they don't. :doh:

GingerBob_3

chanz4 wrote: »

...people also cant really stop smart meters as you dont own it.

Not so. You are legally entitled to refuse one, and that's the best thing to do.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

GingerBob wrote: »

Don't know who owns the meters, but they won't charge for this. Just make sure they're not planning on fitting a so-called "smart" meter. Such a device could compromise your mother's security (reveals to a greater or lesser extent when the house is occupied etc.).

The big question here is - why, why, why! Why npower? They are an appalling organisation, who are likely to cause you no end of trouble.

Dear Christ, the luddites are out again.

If nefarious badmen wanted to ascertain when the house is occupied, stealing smart meter data isn't going to be their first modus operandi....

giraffe69

I had an old meter exchanged about 10 days ago.

1. There was no question of a smart meter although I would not have minded one as the pills are currently controlling my paranoia
2. There was no charge
3. I had a letter beforehand (not from my gas supplier but from the company responsible for fitting meters). As it happens the proposed day was not convenient but it was easy to swap for another day.

I would have the gravest suspicion about someone calling at my door to say I would be having a new meter and would not let him do this without seeing authorisation and giving me a number I can ring.

[Deleted User]

Npower are not fitting smarts yet Gingerbob, so calm down , its just a normal meter exchange, and shes not entitled to refuse it. Meter readers have no imput into when meters are due for change and its not normal for someone to come knocking in advance. The usual methods now are advance letter with a date, and asking if that it is acceptable, or a phone call to confirm if the date and time is ok after the letter