First meter reading in over a year is massively different to estimates

Siobh1970

Hello,
We recently switched to Bulb and needed to supply meter readings from British Gas. When I came to do this I discovered I couldn't get a reading from the gas meter as the display had failed.

I contacted British Gas and they confirmed that they hadn't had a reading for over a year (the meter is outside so we don't know when they send a guy to read it) and gave us an estimate based on the last reading they did have and then a sort of average of subsequent estimates.
Bulb sent a guy to install a new meter today (not a smart meter) and it is showing a number that is nearly three times the estimate figure. I am a bit gobsmacked by this a) because BG in my experience always tend to over estimate, and b) because when we could take readings they were down on previous years because our house became very much more heat efficient following an extension we had.
How on earth do I check if this new readout in any way relates to the gas we've used?
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.
S.

Robin9

Siobh1970 wrote: »

......................and it is showing a number that is nearly three times the estimate figure. ................
S.

I suspect a second hand meter was fitted.##When the meter got changed the engineer would have left a card showing the readings on the new meter - what was it? What is today's reading. Read your meter again tomorrow .


Get into the habit of reading your meter at least monthly then you will always have some info to give your supplier. Very few suppliers read meters these days.

Siobh1970

Thank you so much for your answer. I don't believe he did leave a card, but I will check. I don't think it is a second hand meter, but I will raise this as a possibility with the supplier.
He had the wrong meter on the job form (a pre pay one) and had to go away again to get the normal one.

[Deleted User]

I m a bit baffled as to how the Bulb fitter got a reading from the blank screen gas meter. All meter exchanges have to follow a set routine with showing the old meter details on a yellow sticker on the new gas meter showing old meter serial number,new meter serial number . date of exchange, old meter reading,and new meter reading.If the old meter reading is blank they would leave that bit blank
They can t just turn up and swap it and clear off.
I see lots of blank screen gas meters as a meter reader. Its usually a dead battery, but once its blank its blank and would stop registering the units from the date the battery died.
Possibly the fitter pressed the red button harder and reactivated the display and obtained a true reading . Digital gas meters have to have the battery saving display woken up by pressing the red button.

Talldave

Many years ago I had the exact same problem, "new" meter was second hand, but the fitter left the form with readings on. Npower insisted it started at zero, I offered to send copy of the fitters form, npower said no. After a year and me threatening the ombudsman they finallly accepted my offer to email a copy of the fitter's form and problem was resolved. I now take weekly readings to give a good history of consumption and I will never use npower again.

Siobh1970

Houbara wrote: »

I m a bit baffled as to how the Bulb fitter got a reading from the blank screen gas meter. All meter exchanges have to follow a set routine with showing the old meter details on a yellow sticker on the new gas meter showing old meter serial number,new meter serial number . date of exchange, old meter reading,and new meter reading.If the old meter reading is blank they would leave that bit blank
They can t just turn up and swap it and clear off.
I see lots of blank screen gas meters as a meter reader. Its usually a dead battery, but once its blank its blank and would stop registering the units from the date the battery died.
Possibly the fitter pressed the red button harder and reactivated the display and obtained a true reading . Digital gas meters have to have the battery saving display woken up by pressing the red button.

Hello, thanks for this. There is a second display for the old meter reading and it is just blank. I think I will go and take some pictures.