Broken electric meter - how is last usage calculated

herebeme

the electric meter in my parents house is broken. I just noticed the meter hasn’t moved since it was last read by EON in Jan 2021 (and it was probably broken before then but no one noticed).

i’ll phone eon to come and fix. But how is usage for the broken period calculated? On past average? 

Its very old old house and wiring/system - can’t get smart meter installed.  

Thanks 

Gerry1

That's what happened when a relative's disc meter stopped spinning.  They insisted on using an estimate for normal use, despite her having been in hospital for many weeks with a broken hip.

I suspected that the energy company wouldn't play fair, so I was very glad that I'd left her oil filled radiator permanently switched on when I noticed !

herebeme

Ok, good to know, thanks.   Well an estimate from previous year would be to their advantage as electric heating usage is going up as my dad gets older. Even so, I’d like to get it fixed. 

Gerry1

The quickest way might be to switch absolutely everything on and try a few gentle thumps, taking care not to crack the glass?

herebeme

Actually does anyone knows what happen s when they fix a meter? Is it left at its previous reading, advanced to an estimate or set to 00000?

And anyone had issues with a meter say going from 69999 to 00000 and the computer assuming all those kWh have actually been used and billing accordingly. I’m sure I’ve read something along those lines in newspaper consumer help columns. I know I shouldn’t stress before it’s happened but I just see trouble ahead. 

herebeme

Gerry1 said:

The quickest way might be to switch absolutely everything on and try a few gentle thumps, taking care not to crack the glass?

Maybe I’ll try a gentle tap, but I think it’s a wiring problem. Perhaps mice chewed

Gerry1

The installer should take the reading(s) and write them on a yellow card left by the new meter.  It should also show the reading(s) on the new meter.  They normally start at zero but could be something else if not brand new.  Make sure you have a photo of the old meter before it's removed and before the installer leaves check that the card shows all the old and new readings correctly.

Unlikely to be a mouse or wiring problem: all the amps have to flow through the meter first, so anything downstream can't stop the meter registering the usage.  If it's a spinning disc they often get stuck, hence the suggestion of a gentle thump with the highest possible kW usage to help unstick it.

herebeme

It’s a typical white box with the rotating wheels, not the old type meters. Says it was made in 2006. Attached, have scribbled out serial number.
Thanks for the advice. Very helpful, will make sure I get photos and check the card. Appreciate you taking time to reply. 

Gerry1

If the red light is flashing then the meter is recording usage but the mechanical 'mileometer' has become stuck.

800 flashes and you've used 1kWh.

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

herebeme said:

the electric meter in my parents house is broken. I just noticed the meter hasn’t moved since it was last read by EON in Jan 2021 (and it was probably broken before then but no one noticed).

i’ll phone eon to come and fix. But how is usage for the broken period calculated? On past average? 

Its very old old house and wiring/system - can’t get smart meter installed.  

Thanks 

Hi there herebeme,

Good plan to get in touch as soon as possible, we can then get the appointment booked for your parents.

These sorts of accounts will actually go to a specialist faulty metering department. The will look at previous usage, using as many accurate reads as they can to produce a revised bill for the period where the meter has stopped. They will also take seasonal variances in to account.

 As Gerry1 has said the engineer will take reads and also leave them on a sticker on the meter, but I agree, I would also make a note of them as well.

Thank you

Helena