Economy 7 meter broken - huge bill

phatwa

Hi all,
I have been going off estimated electricity readings for the past year, until last week when I submitted a reading for the first time. The figure came in at £400 for 2 months usage! House is unoccupied during the day, don't use much electric so I knew it was wrong, but Scottish Power asked me to monitor the meter... which I then did, it turns out that the "night rate" isn't changing at all. It is stuck on the same reading.



I have night storage so have been using that when the Night rate kicks in. Scottish Power are sending out an engineer in a few weeks to investigate. So the £400 bill is half correct in that it's all been put to the Day rate, even if used at night. It is electricity that has been used - but not in the correct tariff (the Day rate goes up at nighttime too, basically)


Anyone know how they can resolve this? I resent paying for Day rate electric when I have been making an effort to use Night rates. I am sure legally the onus is on me to check everything and they are sitting pretty but I do resent being asked to pay such an amount.





Also, can they insist I get a smart meter now or can I still refuse one?

jk0

When you have a correct meter installed, wait two months, and see what the proportion of day to night is. Then apply that to your old reading. The company should accept that, I'd have thought.


You don't have to accept a smart meter.

phatwa

Thanks, that's what I was thinking - seems the common sense solution. Although 2 months seems ages, I am having trouble negotiating with them already to "pause" the £400 bill for a bit. They wanted me to pay it then refund it!

jk0

Oh, well I suppose you could choose a shorter period if you are 100% sure that the meter is correct in all other respects. The reason I suggested 2 months, is that will show up any over-recording in your old meter.