Broken leccy meter

downshifter98

Hi all.
I had a visit from the meter reader today and my leccy meter is just flashing a load of symbols - this happened once before about 2 years ago but after a few weeks it came back on (albeit having not measured usage for the period it wasn't working - as far as I could tell). The meter reader was a bit flummoxed - we both tried holding down the button that switches between day and night reading but all that did was make the whole thing go off for 20 or 30 seconds! He basically said that he would try and report it as faulty but then found no option for this (!) so has put down a reading of zero (The meter is 15 years old so perhaps I will get a 15 year refund:D). He also stated that I will probably have a smart meter fitted but I'm not sure I really want one of those - too intrusive. So does anyone know whether I should just wait for Scottish Powers response to the meter reader or should I attempt to call them myself as well - a bit nervous of them estimating my usage since my last 'diy' reading a couple of months ago.

System

My advice would be to call them because that is the sensible and right thing to do. My guess is that others will disagree.

I should add that you are under no obligation to accept a smart meter if you do not want one.

D_M_E

Agreed - call them and back up your call with an email.

Expect a massive bill and debt collectors as a result of the meter man putting your reading down as zero, and no end of arguments.

If the meter reader simply put down the reading as zero you are VERY likely to get an extortionate massive bill - for example if the previous reading was 5001 and the new "reading" is zero then they will assume you have used either 5000 units or it could be ten or more times that if they use five figures for the readings.

If they don't or won't listen on the phone after a couple of attempts, write a letter headed COMPLAINT, detail the facts and send it off and again back it up with an email and keep copies and refuse any further contact on the matter on the phone.

downshifter98

Oh great - surely meter readers see this from time to time and have a vague idea how to deal with it; it's not rocket science is it? Perhaps a smart meter would be a good idea after all...

System

downshifter98 wrote: »

Oh great - surely meter readers see this from time to time and have a vague idea how to deal with it; it's not rocket science is it? Perhaps a smart meter would be a good idea after all...

It will be SMETS 1 compliant which means that if you switch suppliers it will lose its connectivity, and you will have no option but to take the readings yourself. Most meter readers work for a third-party not the supplier. That said, there should be procedures in place to cover your situation.

System

Meter readers are told never to put five zero s down when the meter is faulty or blank. Scot Power meters are read by G4S

downshifter98

A week later and no sign of updated readings online - they usually appear within a day of being read. Meter is still flashing gobbledygook. Will give it another week and if still not working (this has happened once before for a few weeks) I will call Scot Power.