nPower want to replace my electric meeter - what's the catch?

KarenStew88

Hiya

An unsolicited call today from nPower (they are our suppliers) saying they want to replace our electric meter because it's at the end of it's useful life (I've no idea if it is or not!)

Is this a way of selling me a new high tech meter, or is it some EU obligation they have that I've never heard of?

Any advice would be great - I don't want the bother unless I have to!

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

If you take them at face value (which I do), they are simply trying to replace an old meter for a new one. They may be replacing it with a smart meter, your post hasn't made it clear.

Either way, you won't have to pay for it. It's worth pointing out that the meter belongs to them, and if they really want to replace it, and you refuse, they can obtain a warrant to enter your home and replace it.

KarenStew88

They didn't say what type of meter it is - I just don't want the energy bills to increase because of a new meter!

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

The meter simply counts what you've used - if you use the same you'll pay the same

molerat

The only catch is that their hopeless computer system will completely !!!! up / ignore the change over readings and you will be forever chasing them to get it right

dogshome

As already been posted, meters don't go on forever and meters are being changed Old for New all the time, so there is nothing 'special' about yours.

However, there are 2 causes of concern
1) When a meter is changed, the fitting crew should leave you a card which shows the reading on the Old meter as it was removed, and the reading on the New meter as it was installed - All too often there are reports on this site that fitting crews have failed to issue this card - Make damned sure they don't leave the house till you have yours in your hand

2) As molerat has pointed out, you are dealing with n'power who tend to lose
the plot on Meter change record keeping - Check your bills to see that the change of meter number is shown - If it isn't, that record card from the meter change crew is your Ace card when argueing with n'power

naedanger

dogshome wrote: »

As already been posted, meters don't go on forever and meters are being changed Old for New all the time, so there is nothing 'special' about yours.

However, there are 2 causes of concern
1) When a meter is changed, the fitting crew should leave you a card which shows the reading on the Old meter as it was removed, and the reading on the New meter as it was installed - All too often there are reports on this site that fitting crews have failed to issue this card - Make damned sure they don't leave the house till you have yours in your hand

2) As molerat has pointed out, you are dealing with n'power who tend to lose
the plot on Meter change record keeping - Check your bills to see that the change of meter number is shown - If it isn't, that record card from the meter change crew is your Ace card when argueing with n'power

I agree with all the above. And obviously double check the readings on the cards. Maybe even consider taking photos of the meters (and certainly if they won't leave a card).

And I would reiterate the warning that when your are dealing with npower be extremely careful.

techno12

NPower replaced my meter several years ago - letter out of the blue and it was swapped a few weeks later.

Weird thing was, the old meter was a new-looking digital display one. The replacement is a old-skool traditional looking mechanical spinning disc one.

Odd..

PS Agree about checking meter numbers etc. When they replaced my gas meter a couple of years ago (old one was stuck on same reading for months) they cocked up the bill and their system thought I'd used 300,000 kwh due to it going back to zero!

Quentin

There is a possible "downside" if you have economy 7 but nothing you can do about it.


If your old meter's time clock was running fast or slow then you got more economy 7 rates at more social hours, thus a new meter can mean you "pay more" for the same amount of electricity.


The newer economy 7 meter is much more efficient at keeping time.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Quentin wrote: »

There is a possible "downside" if you have economy 7 but nothing you can do about it.


If your old meter's time clock was running fast or slow then you got more economy 7 rates at more social hours, thus a new meter can mean you "pay more" for the same amount of electricity.


The newer economy 7 meter is much more efficient at keeping time.

Perhaps not very "MSE" of me, but I don't see people having to stick to the contractual relationship they agreed to as a bad thing!

Quentin

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

Perhaps not very "MSE" of me, but I don't see people having to stick to the contractual relationship they agreed to as a bad thing!

My post was nothing to do with morals, but it seemingly gave you a chance for unnecessary preaching about your own morals.


(My post was in answer to the OP's post #3)