Can this meter be changed?

sb29

We bought our current home few months back. We recently got a letter from our supplier saying that our electricity meter is reaching the end of its operational life and needs to be replaced.

Our meter is placed behind the wall of a kitchen cupboard and a small hole has been cut into the wall to take meter readings. We are FTBs, so didn't make much of it when we bought the house. The surveyor also did not point it out as a major problem. However, now I am wondering how easy would it be to change the meter? If they can't change it, will they ask me to rip open the wall?

thorganby

No meter fitter will change that meter.

The cupboard need to come down and it was a crazy idea whoever boxed it in like that.

While the cut out allows access to read the meter the cable terminations at the bottom of the meter are inaccessible.

Carrot007

The buyer saw you coming! Big bodge rather than relocate the meter for a thousand or so!

I would be very upset with the surveyor for not even mentioning the position but you won't get anything as they will have recomended an electrical survey not being qualified to comment.

Probably best if you get it relocated to an outside box now rather than bodge it again.

The cutout with the fuse needs to be accesible at at times. (This is the box before your meter and is probably well hidden).

sb29

Can we refuse to change the meter and get this done next year? Or are we legally required to change the meter right now because of the letter from the electric supplier?

Hasbeen

Is that your consumer unit above meter? 

What I would suggest is empty unit and take down to see what is going on in there. 

Would not put back up.

Adjustment hanging brackets should be top left and right, usually phillips screw driver to slacken off and lift down.

Carrot007

sb29 said:

Can we refuse to change the meter and get this done next year? Or are we legally required to change the meter right now because of the letter from the electric supplier?

Yes you can put it off. Tell the compnay the previous owner removed access and you need to fix it.

Do note though if you keep putting it off they will eventually get a warrant of entry. Though after seeing it they will probably go away again and tell you to fix it. So to avoid unneeded costs to yourself just keep them updated.

Think your previous owners are much like mine. A couple of months after moving in I had to get a new bathroom as they made a wet room without tanking and it leaked though the kitchen ceiling. Did want to change the bathroom anyway but the cost was not welcome so soon after moving. I could also mention the broken cooker that could only be turned off at the consumer unit (because the cooker switch was connected up all wrong, and many more! But I'll leave it there, ahh the joys of home owning.

sb29

Thank you! I think I will follow your advice and try to put it off for a bit. Once I have a bit more money, I will get this fixed.

We noticed so many small problems with the house that they have added up to be a lot, right from the roofing to the bathroom and now this!

dogshome

It's a mechanical analogue meter, the reliabilty of which is far greater than the 'Smart' your supplier will replace it with

Who is the supplier? - The supply industry is under the hammer from the Govt to fit Smart meters, and some are useing all manner of excuses to get into the house to do it.

sb29

dogshome said:

It's a mechanical analogue meter, the reliabilty of which is far greater than the 'Smart' your supplier will replace it with

Who is the supplier? - The supply industry is under the hammer from the Govt to fit Smart meters, and some are useing all manner of excuses to get into the house to do it.

It is e.on energy. They did not write anything about Smart meter in the letter. Just that "Your electricity meter is about to reach the end of its operational life. We need to replace your meter to make sure it continues to work safely and efficiently". Do you mean all this may be just to upgrade me to a smart meter?

Gerry1

There are scores of complaints on this forum about E.On telling customers they must have a smart meter despite the Ts & Cs making it clear that they only agreed to be contacted about them.  Just do a search (include Malc as a term).

Carrot007

dogshome said:

It's a mechanical analogue meter, the reliabilty of which is far greater than the 'Smart' your supplier will replace it with

Who is the supplier? - The supply industry is under the hammer from the Govt to fit Smart meters, and some are useing all manner of excuses to get into the house to do it.

Which matters little since it is no longer (well shortly they will usualy contact 6 months prior) certified to be accurate and needs changing.

The same meter (new) will be fitted either with or without working comms. However in this country there are no down sides to a smart meter and a ever so tiny possitive that the supplier should get reads (the value of this increases depending on how hands off you are as a customer).