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new meter to be fitted...
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One of my neighbours lives in a fairly olld property. She had a new electric meter probably 10 or so years ago....now she tells me that metrplus sent her a letter to say - I think - 'due to recertification' she will need to have a new meter fitted. She doesn't want the upheaval,she is elderly. Has she by law gort to allow it? what on earth does 'recertification' mean anyhow? it seems spurious.....
I can't help but wonder why they want to change a meter that works fine? they say for 'safety reasons'...if this is the case, are they fitting meters that become faulty at a predetermined time or something? it all seems suspicious to me, someone in the pub had told her it wil be because the new digital ones can't be tampered with or something? and apparetly older ones could be tampered with or turned back? (apparently some electric employees turn themback for a fee,) I have heard of this years ago actually.
So what is the real reason for changing the meters and will she, as a low user end up with a meter that goes faster or does like a standard charge sort of thing? ie if she is such a low user then to make more money from her then they could say she has to pay the minimum of x amount for it to be worth our while.... I shall print out and pass replies onto her many thanks in anticipation...with the information I have been told I must say I am suspicious...
I can't help but wonder why they want to change a meter that works fine? they say for 'safety reasons'...if this is the case, are they fitting meters that become faulty at a predetermined time or something? it all seems suspicious to me, someone in the pub had told her it wil be because the new digital ones can't be tampered with or something? and apparetly older ones could be tampered with or turned back? (apparently some electric employees turn themback for a fee,) I have heard of this years ago actually.
So what is the real reason for changing the meters and will she, as a low user end up with a meter that goes faster or does like a standard charge sort of thing? ie if she is such a low user then to make more money from her then they could say she has to pay the minimum of x amount for it to be worth our while.... I shall print out and pass replies onto her many thanks in anticipation...with the information I have been told I must say I am suspicious...
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They will be in and out in twenty to thirty minutes and no mess.I used to be indecisive but now I am not sure.0
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I think all your fears and suspicions are without foundation.
A new meter should read exactly the same as the old one and her bills will be no higher.
I have a little used annex with a separate supply and some quarters the bill is a few pence.0 -
Hi,
They have a legal obligation to change the meter based on a recertification programme that is agreed at industry level, not by them.
They have to get in and do this to satisfy this obligation and they can request a Warrant Of Entry to do this with the full backing of the court if you refuse their attempts.
Recertification is a like for like meter change, they cannot under any circumstances change the charges. Also, MeterPlus are not your SUpplier hence have no legal ability to increase charges, only your Supplier can.
Remember, the meter is their property, not yours.
It's all legal & above board. If you are really unable to accept this, contact Energywatch, Ofgem or the DTI who will tell you exactly the same.
Do you really want to have a meter past it's safety lifespan in there with her?
Electric employees don't turn them back as it's illegal thesedays and is reported where seals have been tampered with. It's not in their interest anyway as it just means that the company earns more. However, that does not benefit an engineer.
If you suspect your meter has been tampered with, check the seals are in place. Also, the dials can become out of line. Only the manufacturer or Ofgem's appointed independant meter examiner is allowed to crack the seals by law.
All meters have a determined life when the DTI insists they be changed to safeguard later faults.:rotfl: It's better to live 1 year as a tiger than a lifetime as a worm...but then, whoever heard of a wormskin rug!!!:rotfl:0 -
We had our gas meter changed earlier this year and about time too - our last one was getting to over 12 years old and I've heard gas meters can lose accuracy over time as well as possibly becoming unsafe too. It's common practice to have meters changed periodically - in our house we've had 2 gas meter changes in 28 years and at least 1 electric meter change back in 1995 or so. Speaking of which, are there recommended periods when an electricity meter should be changed or does it vary according to the manufacturer etc.?0
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Thanks for replies so far, everyone! So these new meters which are digital probably like the one I have (?) are these too, changed every so often? I would have thought that maybe because they are newer, more efficient perhaps (don't know how?) it surely can't be cost effective to keep changing everybodys every so often? Is it just old ones of say 10 year old, which get changed to a digital. (are they digital?) This has sparked lots of questions locally now!0
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We had our gas meter changed earlier this year and about time too - our last one was getting to over 12 years old and I've heard gas meters can lose accuracy over time as well as possibly becoming unsafe too. It's common practice to have meters changed periodically - in our house we've had 2 gas meter changes in 28 years and at least 1 electric meter change back in 1995 or so. Speaking of which, are there recommended periods when an electricity meter should be changed or does it vary according to the manufacturer etc.?
Generally the meters are changed after 20 years.0 -
Electricity meters have a defined recertification programme that is set down by the industry, not 1 party in a region.
It depends completely on the type of meter and these timescales are re-assessed annually (if memory serves me)
Old mechanicals tend to be 25 years
PP meters inc Smartpower, token, key are anywhere from 10-12 years last time I saw the programme.
I can't remember what newer electronic credit meters are, I think it was somewhere in the region of 15-18 years but don't quote me on that one. I would have to check.
Newer electronic meters are changed more frequently as they are not as basic as the old mechanicals which are less prone to faults as they are more basic.
It doesn't vary by manufacturer, it is defined by the type of metering itself.
Recertification is set down by regulatory bodies to ensure that customers have meters that work and above all are safe. Meter Operators are involved in the talks but they have to abide by this or they can be held accountable in court if any accident is caused by a meter arcing or otherwise causing accidents or damage if it is beyond it's agreed life.
Meter Operators start sending out letter usually within 12 months of this end date so they have plenty of time to sort it. They will eventually go for a Warrant Of Entry otherwise they could be liable later.:rotfl: It's better to live 1 year as a tiger than a lifetime as a worm...but then, whoever heard of a wormskin rug!!!:rotfl:0 -
Yes, the 'new' digital meters get changed too but not out of need but because your 'supplier' has changed meter maintenance company.
i.e British Gas in South East using onstream
My elec meter was changed - just under 10 years old and parents meter changed - less than 2 years old. The latter change has caused huge problems with billing due to incorrect reference numbers/readings etc.
I'm sure your neightbours meter change will go smoothly though.0 -
The recertification date is stated on the dataflow regardless of the MAM/MAP so they know when by law they have to change it. Suppliers are free to choose MAM/MAP whenever they wish so if Onstream want to waste their money changing meters thats up to them but they are not obliged until the recert date is reached as provided by the originating fitter.
Meters are changed due to recertification rules set by the industry which all MAM's have to abide by. They can choose to change them much earlier if they wish but that just means thy make less money.:rotfl: It's better to live 1 year as a tiger than a lifetime as a worm...but then, whoever heard of a wormskin rug!!!:rotfl:0 -
Hello folks, new member here, trust you`ll be gentle with me! Reference onstream gas meters, I note that members have mentioned recertification as the reason for installing new meters but we were told 4 years ago that we had to have a new meter fitted, not onstream, as an ongoing programme! NONE of my neighbours had one fitted? Our bills increased significantly after installation, we complained to no avail, so we cut down and installed more insulation. We are now told that we have to have an onstream meter fitted, surprise surprise, none of my neighbours are having one. Are we being singled out? Can`t think why. But apprehensive re` bigger bills. If we change suppliers do we still have to have an `onstream` meter?
Current meter is digital & half the size of previous one.0
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