Meter check or smart meter?

[Deleted User]

Anita85 said:

Update on my energy/meter problem. I got citizens advice involved they got me to do more readings. I've had an electrician round, he checked consumer board no problems with that. Citizens advice convinced its an internal problem. Apparently most times its user error when people think their meter is faulty so they referred me to Footprint Trust ( a local charity that helps people with energy/water problems) they suggested a couple more tests. Doing some hourly reads and also switching everything off for a few hours. I used 1 unit in 4.5 hours so looks more than likely the meter is faulty.
I have spoken with Shell energy and they've said that if I go for smart meters and if my consumption goes down significantly my bills will be reasseesed and my account will be credited. So as smart meters are free I've agreed to have them fitted which is being done end of October.

DO NOT ACCEPT SHELL's offer. If you believe that the meter is faulty then get Shell to fit a check meter. This is the only way of proving that you have a faulty meter. The check will reveal the extent of the error and you will be able to force Shell to adjust the usage on previous bills. 

If this particular ship has sailed then INSIST that Shell puts its offer to review your past bills in writing. Even then you could find yourself in a never ending argument about what your past usage should have been, and what you should have been charged.

niktheguru

Anita85 said:

Update on my energy/meter problem. I got citizens advice involved they got me to do more readings. I've had an electrician round, he checked consumer board no problems with that. Citizens advice convinced its an internal problem. Apparently most times its user error when people think their meter is faulty so they referred me to Footprint Trust ( a local charity that helps people with energy/water problems) they suggested a couple more tests. Doing some hourly reads and also switching everything off for a few hours. I used 1 unit in 4.5 hours so looks more than likely the meter is faulty.
I have spoken with Shell energy and they've said that if I go for smart meters and if my consumption goes down significantly my bills will be reasseesed and my account will be credited. So as smart meters are free I've agreed to have them fitted which is being done end of October.

I really don't understand why you have over-complicated this situation.
Its really quite obvious there is a fault. You've done all the checks we've suggested and the meter readings are still increasing, you've haven't got an overcomplicated electrical system layout.
How much did you pay the electrician to check the wiring? (hopefully not a lot)

If you accept smart meters without the problem being solved you can pretty much wave goodbye to receiving anything for the extra use. They'll just say the "difference" is within a range that is acceptable and then you've got no leg to stand on.

Get a check meter installed. 

Anita85

Update on my electric problem as Shell energy and citizens advice thought it was an internal problem I did opt for a smart meter and get my bills recalculated if there was a significant difference. Although I and advice I got on this forum thought it was my meter, they made me doubt myself and could be wasting money on a check meter.
Getting a smart meter wasn't that simple though I had 3 cancelled appointments so I contacted the ombudsman. Although they couldn't do anything about the cancelled appointments, they did award me £75 for the poor customer service.
My smart meter was eventually fitted the end of January 2022. My consumption dropped from an average of 12kwh a day to  3kwh a day. I won't go into all the details but after chasing them they recalculated bills but only reduced the closing reading from old meter by 50kwh. After a lot of time spent trying to resolve the problem with Shell and them not getting back to me when they said and not doing what they said they'd do. I ended going back to the ombudsman November last year. Shell first appealed the complaint which after the ombudsman looked into it, was denied. It's now been investigated and the decision was in my favour. The closing read of old meter was reduced by nearly 3500kwh and although I hadn't complained about their customer service again I was awarded another £75 for poor customer service.
I'm so relieved it's all over now.
In hindsight I should of gone with my gut feeling and views on here to have gone for the check meter. 
Thank you all who helped me with your advice, recommended tests etc

Gerry1

Thanks for coming back to update us !  Far too many newbies can't be bothered.

EssexHebridean

So glad you had a good resolution to this - well done to you for putting the work in to get things out right, too!