187% increase in gas usage

DAKOTA45

This is very informative…

Fact sheet
Meter Accuracy & Billing Disputes
The measurements from the readings of gas and electricity meters are used to calculate the amount of energy supplied to your home and will appear on your energy bill sent to you by your supplier(s).
Any gas or electricity meter used for the purpose of billing, whether by a licensed energy supplier or a landlord, must be approved by Ofgem, or an equivalent EC Member State body. Most domestic and smaller industrial/commercial metering applications are covered by this requirement. Only meter types that operate to defined accuracy and performance requirements will be approved. More guidance on meter approvals is available in Meter Approval, Certification and Stamping fact sheet. http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/temp/ofgem/cache/cmsattach/5815_Factsheet_MeterApproval. pdf
Suppliers are required to read and inspect your meter(s) at least every two years – although some suppliers may visit more frequently. Bills, between supplier meter readings, are issued using estimates based mainly on past consumption.
As there can be a lengthy period between supplier readings it is important that you ensure that the estimated reading is close to what the meter has recorded. You can do this by recording the reading on the meter yourself and comparing this reading against the estimate - soon after you receive your bill. If a large difference is found contact your supplier who should make adjustments to your account.
There may be many reasons for a change in consumption. These could include:
• Particularly colder or milder seasonal weather causing you to use more or less energy;
• A change in circumstances may cause a change in energy consumed - i.e. illness, new baby, working at home, etc...;
• Faulty appliance – using more energy than it should because it is not operating correctly; and
• Changing types of appliance – i.e. moving from gas to electricity or vice versa.
There is also a chance that your meter may have developed a fault. If you think your meter may not be registering accurately you should contact your supplier. Your supplier is required to investigate your complaint and make best efforts to resolve the problem. You may also want to consider contacting your local energywatch office.
If necessary, as a final option when all others routes to settle the problem/dispute have failed, the supplier will make arrangements for the accuracy of the meter to be verified by a meter examiner appointed by Ofgem, under Schedule 7 Electricity Act 1989 or Section 17 Gas Act 1986.
The process of testing a meter varies for gas and electricity meters.

Gas Meter Testing.
It is impractical to test a gas meter for accuracy on site so your meter must be removed, and exchanged for another. This is then securely packaged and sent to a meter examiner appointed by Ofgem at SGS (UK) Ltd. You should take note of the meter details including the serial number and reading at the time of removal.
At the laboratory your gas meter will undergo a number of tests by the meter examiner to check the performance of the meter and whether any fault is present that could affect its accuracy.
After all the tests have been completed the meter examiner will analyse the results and issue a certificate detailing his findings.
If the meter was found to be within prescribed limits (nominally±2%) it is within prescribed limits and a certificate will be issued stating that the meter was accurate.
If the meter was found to be outside prescribed limits, a certificate will be issued stating that the meter was erroneous with the error stated.
If the meter was found to have a fault causing the readings to be unreliable this would be stated on the certificate along with a description of the fault.
Copies of the certificate will be sent to you, your gas supplier and the owner of the meter.
Electricity Meter Testing.
Unlike gas meters, electricity meters can be tested on-site. Your electricity supplier will carryout a preliminary accuracy check and if necessary arrange for one of their representatives to discuss any specific concerns. If concerns over the meter persist your supplier and/or local Energy Watch Office can facilitate a request for an Ofgem appointed examiner to review the facts surrounding the dispute and to visit the property to carry out tests on the meter and the meter installation. The meter examiner will talk to the consumer, check the meter for accuracy and whether it was installed correctly.
Depending on the results obtained, the meter examiner may take the meter away for further testing to Ofgem’s appointed laboratory. Where the meter needs to be removed, a replacement will be fitted.
Following this, the meter examiner will analyse the results and issue a Determination. This will detail his findings, including whether the meter was within or outside prescribed limits (+2.5% and -3.5%) or installed correctly along with other applicable information.
Copies of the Determination will be sent to you, your electricity supplier and the owner of the meter.
After the Test.
Depending on the findings of the examiner, stated on the certificate or Determination, the supplier will take forward measures to conclude the issue. This may include a plan

to either compensate the consumer for over-billing or prepare a payment plan for the consumer where under-billing has occurred.
Meter Testing Charges.
Whilst, at the present time, Ofgem makes no charge for meter testing (irrespective of the outcome) in cases where the meter is found to be accurate, suppliers may make a charge to the customer for the costs they have incurred in visiting the premise and, where necessary, replacing the meter. If the meter is found to be inaccurate or too defective to test, no charge to the customer will be made and a compensation package should be offered.
How to get a lower bill / Tips on ensuring you receive an accurate bill:
There are some things you can do right now to ensure you start receiving lower energy bills:
• Take and submit your own meter reading rather than accepting an estimated bill. Suppliers are only obliged to read and inspect you meter once every 2 years.
• Ask your supplier for the cost of energy at different times of the day and ensure that you are being charged at the most appropriate tariff for your manner of consumption and the equipment you have connected.
• Where possible use energy at times of the day when charges are low (i.e. use of the washing machine or dishwasher).
• Keep a conscious note of what appliances are switched on and for how long they are on. A recent survey in America showed that if people turned off their Computers and TV when not in use, instead of leaving them on standby, supplies equivalent to the production from seven power stations could be turned off.
Did you know that leaving your TV, radio or computer on standby uses up to half the amount of energy consumed when the appliance is in use?
Further Energy Efficiency Advice can be obtained from your supplier or energywatch.

The Consumer complains about their meter’s accuracy
The Supplier attempts to resolve dispute
The Supplier arranges for the meter to be replaced and for the old meter to be tested by an Ofgem appointed Meter Examiner
The Meter Asset Manager labels the meter with the index reading and sends it to the SGS (Ofgem) laboratory
Accuracy Certificate
The Meter is tested in the SGS laboratory by a Meter Examiner
The Meter Examiner analyses the results and issues the appropriate certificate
The condition of the meter is unsuitable for testing or readings are found to be unreliable
The supplier & consumer agree appropriate settlement
Failure Certificate
The consumer pays outstanding bills and may be liable for supplier’s costs
The supplier pays costs & credits the billing difference back to consumer
The Consumer complains about their meter’s accuracy
The Supplier attempts to resolve dispute
The Supplier arranges for the site to be visited with an Ofgem Meter Examiner and for the meter and installation to be checked

Yes
Assessment complete - meter OK
No
The Meter has further tests in the SGS Lab by a Meter Examiner
The Meter Examiner analyses the results and issues an appropriate determination

Metering accurate
Metering Inaccurate
The consumer pays outstanding bills and may be liable for supplier’s costs
The supplier will pay costs & credit the billing difference back to consumer


lstar337

DAKOTA45 wrote: »

I can't even prove how long this has been going on, but if my bills are anything to go by, then possibly many years…

I would assume it has been ever since you moved in, and before then too. Presumably nobody has been in to do the wiring since you have had the property?

DAKOTA45 wrote: »

Using the black marker lined up with an arrow I have just measured the rate at which the wheel is turning when switched off at the mains… about half a cm a minute… so quite substantial if the drain has been going on for several years…:eek:

Somebody here can probably tell you what that equates to in kWh's.

jamesd

DAKOTA45, you mentioned that your computer is plugged in. Is it turned on as well? A normal desktop computer and monitor can use between £140 and £420 a year if left on al the time, sometimes more for high end models with high power graphics cards. It won't use a significant amount if plugged in and on standby and setting up power saving so that the power button puts it into standby mode makes it really easy to cut the power use when you're not actively using it, but so it only takes a second or two to get back to exactly where you were when you come back.

What do you use for lighting, any old filament bulbs? A 100W filament bulb could use around £140 a year if it was left on all the time at 6p including VAT per unit electricity price. If on for eight hours a day it would be £47 a year for each bulb. An LED bulb would use more like £10 a year at eight hours a day with the same light output.

Something like this can help you to measure the power use for anything that has a plug. You'd just plug in for a day or week and it would tell you the total power used for that whole time, as well as the use at any particular time you look at it. You could work through everything with a plug in your home to find out how much power each thing is using.

This won't help with the possible use of power by something outside your home, though, that's a different problem.

This is an alternative that monitors the power going into your electricity meter. It can be used to track the power used by things without plugs, like a light bulb in the ceiling - just turn it on, check the change in power use, then turn it off again. This will show you the usage of anything connected to your supply that is not being controlled by your meter.

E.on is also doing changes to smart meters in some areas. There are massive privacy issues with the current system because it lets someone outside your home work out even what things you're using in your home minute to minute but it might be worth accepting that loss of privacy to help to solve your problem. Personally I'd switch supplier rather than accept one of the current insecure "smart" meters that are dumb rather than smart and don't allow appliance control based on network power shortage or request but it might be worthwhile for you. A person installing a new meter would undoubtedly notice if there was power drain when everything was switched off because that would be an essential part of the safety checks for a new installation.

macman

DAKOTA45 wrote: »

Does that mean that I will have to pay for all the leakage that's been going out who knows where for possibly several years?!

You've already paid for it, since it's going via your meter-that's why your bills are so high!
It's not 'leakage', the power is being used somewhere else on the premises.
Get it stopped now, and worry about recovery afterwards.
Posting endless queries on here is not going to resolve the issues-every day you delay calling an electrician and switching tariff, you are literally burning money.

DAKOTA45

Brian - E.ON

Not Ranked
Joined on Tue, Feb 03 2009
Level 3: Cool Customer
Points 735
Re: help electric meter still recording when everything turned off at fuse box
Reply Quote Report Abuse
Hi Rocky200,
If everything is off there is no way the meter should still be clocking, you’re right to raise this with E.ON. Before you do just double check everything is off, no fridges or freezers still on, appliances on standby, microwave displays etc.
There are cases where meters are crossed with other properties, hucksters theory is correct, this happens more often in flats, especially when meters are in communal spaces.
Is the meter communal?
If so when you turn everything off are there any meters that stop? Then start going again when you turn appliances back on? This is a test you can carry out yourself. And it may highlight which meter yours has been mixed up with.
If you call E.ON to discuss this, an appointment can be made for an engineer to visit you and test the meter and establish the problem. The meter should then be changed accordingly.
Brian
Post Points: 35
Fri, Jul 03 2009, 10:42 AM

macman

There is no evidence whatsoever that your meter is faulty, and given the evidence you've now uncovered that the meter is feeding other properties than your own, that is even less likely. If you still believe that it is, then you need to get it tested (and if within tolerance, be prepared to pay the cost of testing it). If not, you need to get an electrician in to trace and isolate the source of the usage. Your choice.
Talking to eon on Twitter nor posting on here is going to tell you anything that you don't know already.
PS: since you've been liaising with eon, have you switched your tariff yet?

zeupater

lstar337 wrote: »

I would assume it has been ever since you moved in, and before then too. Presumably nobody has been in to do the wiring since you have had the property?

Somebody here can probably tell you what that equates to in kWh's.

Hi

Our meter is a 'wheel type' analogue meter and is based on 240 revolutions=1kWh, therefore 1 revolution will register as just over 4Wh on the decimal points on the meter ... Dakota45's meter should say something like '240 rev/kWh' near to other technical details (ie 230V, 50Hz etc) but it could be a different ratio ...

If the meter is similar to ours (240rev/kWh) and the wheel is around 2" diameter then the circumference is about 15cm, so 1cm/minute would be about 17W draw, which is nothing significant ... probably the equivalent of a couple of timers and/or sensors.

HTH
Z

lstar337

DAKOTA45 wrote: »

I have been liaising with Eon all the while… they have agreed that the meter sounds faulty…

I don't believe it is, it just seems to be powering something outside of your house. If they test it and decide the meter is fine, they'll likely charge you.

This is why an independent electrician is a good idea, they will just disconnect the erroneous cable, leaving the functioning meter alone.

lstar337

zeupater wrote: »

If the meter is similar to ours (240rev/kWh) and the wheel is around 2" diameter then the circumference is about 15cm, so 1cm/minute would be about 17W draw, which is nothing significant ... probably the equivalent of a couple of timers and/or sensors.

Yeah, that is a low draw. Thanks for working it out.

I suppose that doesn't mean that it's not the cause of the high usage though, it could be 17W now, 2kW later!

If some of the properties are holiday lets, they would only be using large amounts of power while occupied!

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi Dakota

There's a number of points you've raised since I was last on MSE on Friday. Thought it might help if take them in the order you posted.

DAKOTA45 wrote: »

My urgent priority at the moment is trying to find the 500 quid to pay my bill before I am cut off… I have no disposable income or savings to pay a man to lag the loft..

I doubt they will let me set up a DD until the current bill is cleared...

Don't worry, we won't just cut you off. We'll be in touch with various suggestions to help you pay the balance. As I mentioned earlier in the thread, we'll be happy to look at setting up a payment arrangement to help spread the balance over a more manageable period. We can include the ongoing usage too. Will help stop a similar big bill landing on your doormat in the future. If you go for a Monthly Direct Debit, this will save about £35 per fuel per year in lower standing charges. You don't always need to clear the balance. As I say, we'll look at including it in the arrangement.

DAKOTA45 wrote: »

Hi guys…

Several letters from E.on in the post today… One is inviting me to switch to E.on (eh?) telling me they will contact my old supplier (themselves) & do all the switching over and the tariff will be 13.91 per kWh… which is probably the plan I am on already..

The next is for a one year fixed rate of 13.44p per kWh…

Then an offer of a 2 year fix at 14.228p per kWh…

All seem to have a standing charge of 26.019p per day

A letter of authority for me to sign if I want someone else to speak on my behalf… (?) No idea how that arose…

Weird how I have been a loyal customer for many years but not rewarded with a lower rate… hmmm…

Of the tariffs available, only our standard Energy Plan (the one you're on) has no tie-ins. The rest have either cancellation fees or age restrictions (please see post 38 above). As these are contracted products, we're unable to automatically put you on them without talking to you first. You can, though switch yourself through our website. If you're still struggling with this, give our dedicated tariff team a call (their number is on your bill). They'll be happy to go through all the options with you.

If you've gone on the Priority Services Register (see post 27), I suspect the letter of authority has been sent as part of this. Please bin it if not needed. It's on the website if you decide you need it in future.

Oh… and a letter telling me to pay immediately or I will be cut off and they will fit a pre payment meter… (so much for loyalty)…

It takes a long time to reach this stage. Before this, we'll make many attempts to contact you to sort out a more mutually agreeable solution. We do, though, have a duty to let you know the possible outcome of non-payment.

Still no mention of the Warm Home Discount which I definitely applied for and they definitely said they would write to m about in due course..

Please see post number 14 earlier in the thread.

DAKOTA45 wrote: »

They haven't sent me any paper bills for ages and I have been unable to access this information on the online account…I van't find any statements at all…I am pretty sure I supplied them with a meter reading for the previous bill...

If you've registered with our website for paperless billing, we won't send bills through the post. Instead, we'll email to let you know a bill is ready to view. Please log into your online account and select 'billing and payments' from the left hand menu. On the next page, choose 'view your paper bill.' Again from the left hand menu. This will open up a new page with the bill. You can download this as well if you like.

I've picked up some more questions which I'll answer on the post below.

Malc