Meter check only?

fira

Hello everyone

I did my first switch around 6 months ago (from EDF to Shell Energy). It went fine, I’m saving money and I’ve found Shell really helpful if I’ve needed to phone (OAP here and struggle a wee bit sometimes with some of the online technology). So far, I’ve kept to my old pattern of inputting my gas and electricity readings monthly.

About 10 days ago, I opened the door to a young man, with ID, who asked for access to my electricity meter. He said he'd been looking at electricity meters that day, in this city, for Shell Energy customers only. He also said the company he worked for had not been asked to take readings for gas. He was kind enough to give me the meter figure he input to the hand machine he had, which I’ve kept a note of.

[FONT=&quot]I’ve been waiting since then to see the numbers he took that day going into my ‘readings’ page on the Shell online account, but there’s nothing. Would this just have been a check to make sure the meter figures are similar to what I’ve been inputting monthly? I’m quite happy if it was but just curious.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Bill
[/FONT]

Robin9

Quite true - even if you are with the same supplier they do not take readings for both meters at the same time. I don't understand why.

Do you read your own meters and give them to Shell ?

fira

Robin9 wrote: »

Quite true - even if you are with the same supplier they do not take readings for both meters at the same time. I don't understand why.

Do you read your own meters and give them to Shell ?

Thank you Robin9. Yes, they email me on the same date every month, I then take a reading of each meter and input them using my account page on the Shell website.

Bill

Carrot007

fira wrote: »

[FONT=&quot]Would this just have been a check to make sure the meter figures are similar to what I’ve been inputting monthly? I’m quite happy if it was but just curious.[/FONT]

Suppliers are bound by license to read a meter once a year (two if you are british gas)(as far as i recall!).


It's also a safety check. Not a very good one, just a visual inspection.


If you change a lot and they are missed you should be put on the must be read list, but a lot of suppliers do not. In fact changing suppliers usually messes it up. Maybe yours likes to get in early? They really do not want to (whatever anyone else says!) but the license conditions say they have to.

Haarlem

Carrot007 wrote: »

It's also a safety check. Not a very good one, just a visual inspection.

.

I challenge the assumption that it is not a very good one. The items to be checked are specified and important for safety on the distribution and supplier side of the supply. It does not cover any of the customers wiring etc after the meter.

The check is a visual one to see if there is any evidence of meter tampering and bypassing it.

The check is also on behalf of the Distribution Company of any sign of overheating of their cut out. Also the mains cable that comes into the property shows no sign of compound leaking and reducing the insulation where it enters the premise and cut out.

brewerdave

Carrot007 wrote: »

Suppliers are bound by license to read a meter once a year (two if you are british gas)(as far as i recall!).


It's also a safety check. Not a very good one, just a visual inspection.

Not sure that the timescale is correct - I certainly haven't had a visit from a meter reader since 2015, for either utility.

fira

Thank you everyone for the replies. I was happy the lad came and took the reading but I've no idea what else he paid attention to. He did use his phone to take a picture of the whole meter but only because he couldn't quite get up to the height of where it is. I offered him a wee stepladder I have but he said he wasn't allowed to use it due to health and safety reasons.

I cannot recall a visit from a meter reader any time over the last few years and they seemed more regular before then.

Bill

Robin9

fira wrote: »

..............

I cannot recall a visit from a meter reader any time over the last few years and they seemed more regular before then.

Bill

If you don't read your meters - smart or not - no-one else will. Keep your own records as well.

When I started in the industry meter readers were expected to read at least 3 out 4 times a year.

Gerry1

It probably doesn't apply in this case, but you need to be aware that thieves can easily impersonate meter readers to gain access to the homes of vulnerable people.

Might be worth signing up to the Priority Services Register and the Identification scheme. This is to reassure you that callers, for example meter readers, are genuine. Suppliers have to provide additional support to help you identify someone acting on behalf of their company, such as arranging a password or showing an agreed picture card upon visit.

[Deleted User]

brewerdave wrote: »

Not sure that the timescale is correct - I certainly haven't had a visit from a meter reader since 2015, for either utility.

you re dead right Brewerdave..They keep changing the rules on how often they are supposed to inspect meters..I would forget the yearly claim..BG could go as long as seven years last time I heard .
I think the latest thing is that they now leave it up to the supplier to read and inspect a meter as and when they fancy as its set in their T and Cs..That would be as and when they deem it necessary !
They love that ! as it means they don t have to pay out for meter readings from private meter reading companies

fira

Robin9 wrote: »

If you don't read your meters - smart or not - no-one else will. Keep your own records as well.

When I started in the industry meter readers were expected to read at least 3 out 4 times a year.

Thanks again Robin. I read both meters every Sunday and again on the day I have to input them using my Shell online account. It's a habit I've always had and usually my calcs are within a few pennies of my monthly bill. Maybe I read them too often but it works for me