Gas meter reading going backwards

50Twuncle

I have just taken meter readings for my dual fuel Scottish power account and noticed a discrepamcy
Whilst the electricity use has increased as per expected
Our gas meter has gone backwards 10 units !!
This is from a previous "actual customer reading" - which implies that either :

a. I misread the previous reading
b. The meter is broken and turning backwards
b. I am generationg gas !!

I presume that it is a. - but if it is b. - how long will it take to sort this out and what happens in the meantime ?

House_Martin

There is another way that the meter can go backwards but is a criminal act to make the meter go backwards
. It is most probably simply an error in reading the meter.
Digital gas meters can be misread if not viewed level with the index. A 4 can be read as 9 for instance if the index is nt viewed at eye level. a 1 and a 7 can also be the same.

AndyCF

I would assume if it was a mechanical fault they would use a sensible estimate for actual gas used.

Regarding reading the meter, if you're not 100% sure on the dials it may be prudent if you can to take a picture of the meter now, a clear pic so you can see the 'readings' , then take another one in 24 hours or possibly 48 hours, depending on how much gas you consume in that period.

This way you'll have two pics you can easily compare to 'see the difference' plus you could also submit them if the supplier has any queries regarding this, as you can then show them what it was reading on "day x and then on day y"

I would concur it may be a simple 'mis reading' as House Martin has said, some of them do appear quite confusing it seems, but the 'two pics' if you can do this will be slightly easier to work from.

I'd probably contact them soon though if you do think it is faulty or running back.

Robin9

As others have said probably a misread.

I read mine once correctly then wrote down 29 as 92.

firefox1956

50Twuncle wrote: »

I have just taken meter readings for my dual fuel Scottish power account and noticed a discrepamcy
Whilst the electricity use has increased as per expected
Our gas meter has gone backwards 10 units !!
This is from a previous "actual customer reading" - which implies that either :

a. I misread the previous reading
b. The meter is broken and turning backwards
b. I am generationg gas !!

I presume that it is a. - but if it is b. - how long will it take to sort this out and what happens in the meantime ?

Looking at the way you have written this post I think you have probably misread the meter !!!!
:D:D:D

50Twuncle

firefox1956 wrote: »

Looking at the way you have written this post I think you have probably misread the meter !!!!
:D:D:D

Thats what I thought - but have double checked and this time have it correct
Last time appears to be correct as well (the amount of increase was consistent. ...)

firefox1956

a. I misread the previous reading
b. The meter is broken and turning backwards
b. I am generationg gas !!

Point a.
Point b.
Point b.

Is what I was refering too............

50Twuncle

firefox1956 wrote: »

a. I misread the previous reading
b. The meter is broken and turning backwards
b. I am generationg gas !!

Point a.
Point b.
Point b.

Is what I was refering too............

Don't be so picky - It is pretty obvious what I meant !!
Point a.
Point b.
Point c.

AnotherJoe

It’s easy to transpose numbers. I take photos now.

50Twuncle

AnotherJoe wrote: »

It’s easy to transpose numbers. I take photos now.

I have input the.figures online and am surprised that it accepted them without any query !!

D_M_E

Input the lower reading?

If so then the all-knowing computer may well just simply assume your meter has gone round and passed zero and got back up to the -10 reading and will generate a GINORMOUS bill probably for several thousand quid.

If it had been me, I would have assumed the previous reading was a misread and I would have added 5 to that and submitted the +5 reading then kept an eye on the meter - read it every day at the same time for a few days - to make sure it's increasing, which, if you have heating which uses energy supplied by the meter in question, it should be doing.