Electrical inspection just to have meter removed?

Lungboy

We have 2 electricity meters in the house we've just bought, one for the storage heaters and immersion. We've asked for it to be removed as we are getting rid of the heaters and immersion so have no use for it. EDF are saying we have to have an electrician certify that the electrics are safe as the heaters have been removed from the system before the meter. I spoke to an electrician who can't believe it and says that once they are all removed there is nothing to even test, the only thing left is the meter. I rang EDF again and they are adamant it must be tested, even though there's nothing to test. Any ideas?

lstar337

Lungboy wrote: »

We have 2 electricity meters in the house we've just bought, one for the storage heaters and immersion. We've asked for it to be removed as we are getting rid of the heaters and immersion so have no use for it.

I know this is nothing to do with your question, but what are you using instead?

Direct electric heating would be a huge mistake compared to storage heating, but if you are converting to gas then fair enough.

Lungboy

Aye, converting to gas. Need a new line for that plus a meter too, could really do without EDF demanding extra work be done.

Wolf3

EDF used to be a pain in the backside for this type of thing i believe, they will probably want an "iCert" i.e. a full Electrical Installation Certificate. as the electrician will be sorting out the consumer unit when removing the storage heaters. Probably to cover their backsides if something goes wrong

Lungboy

Would the electrical network company (Western Power) be able to do it, rather than EDF as it's an infrastructure issue?

lstar337

If EDF are being unreasonable, you could switch supplier and get the new supplier to do the work.

Lungboy

That was going to be my next step if Western Power couldn't/wouldn't do it.

lstar337

Lungboy wrote: »

That was going to be my next step if Western Power couldn't/wouldn't do it.

It'll be Western Power (If they are your DNO) doing the work anyway, but I think they will only do it if contracted by your supplier.

It might be worth asking WP anyway, and seeing what they think about this certification being required.

Lungboy

WP won't touch it directly, have to organise it through EDF. BG won't touch it, has to be a single meter to switch as the meters are linked and they don't have any tariffs that support these linked meters. It looks like I'm going to have to pay an electrician to come round and laugh at how stupid EDF are being before pocketing my cash for nothing. Ho hum. Thanks EDF, thanks a bunch.

DandelionPatrol

Another option would be to raise a very carefully worded and accurate complaint with EdF and escalate outside of EdF if they feel to resolve?

Lungboy

All sorted! Someone from EDF came to take a meter reading today (no idea why, I only entered a reading this morning) and noticed some bare copper by the meter so called an engineer to fix it. Engineer noticed that nothing was connected to the meter, asked my builder if we needed the meter and removed it for us when the builder said we had requested its removal. Thanks to the engineer for being sensible. Now awaiting confirmation from EDF that it's gone.