Shocking electricity meter reading

bagand96

PatB said:

Hi all

thanks for your comments. I will dig out figures for pre-September but we stayed consistent with previous owners methods of reading. So I am guessing we have read it wrong but how do we now correct this so that I don’t end up with a ridiculous bill

this also doesn’t explain the increase in reading in just one day. 

Sorry all, you can probably tell… I’m not that clued up with all of this 

It is likely that your readings prior to September were accurate in accordance with the previous owner's readings.  What I'm suggesting is that the meter display has changed (potentially due to a bodged software upgrade), and at the same time the meter reading has reset to zero. The reading in September was 189kWh.  Given that you use around 10kWh a day It would suggest the meter was at zero 2-3 weeks before the reading.

bagand96

Gerry1 said:

Verdigris said:

That meter type normally has 5 integers. The decimal point is often only one pixels and easily missed.

The readings are 11762 and 11931, so a consumption of 169kWh.

(Former meter reader)

No they're 1176 and 1193, so a consumption of 17kWh.  So with all due respect, if this daft meter can baffle a former meter reader, what chance does the average consumer have?

It's baffling because it's likely malfunctioned.

comeandgo

PatB said:

Hi all

thanks for your comments. I will dig out figures for pre-September but we stayed consistent with previous owners methods of reading. So I am guessing we have read it wrong but how do we now correct this so that I don’t end up with a ridiculous bill

this also doesn’t explain the increase in reading in just one day. 

Sorry all, you can probably tell… I’m not that clued up with all of this 

Look closely at the meter, you see the wee dot before the last three digits, you ignore whats after the dot when giving a reading, did you not do maths at school?  Your one day use is normal for winter.

Gerry1

PatB said:

Gerry
from your experience. What reading would I submit now given that previous readings have been in the format I have noted above.

I plan to call them Tuesday to discuss but not sure what our options are 

Send a reading of 01193, assuming you're on a single rate tariff (not Economy 7).  But it does seem that the meter may have been reset, it's been flagged up before in this forum.

Chorus: Another smart meter fiasco...

PatB

Thanks for your comments all. Will discuss with provider on Tuesday.

comeandgo … definitely studies maths and school but that doesn’t give experience of reading meters. 

Please remain pleasant… I am genuinely seeking advice and admit I don’t understand this very well

If I knew the answers I wouldn’t be asking for help

Gerry1

bagand96 said:

Gerry1 said:

Verdigris said:

That meter type normally has 5 integers. The decimal point is often only one pixels and easily missed.

The readings are 11762 and 11931, so a consumption of 169kWh.

(Former meter reader)

No they're 1176 and 1193, so a consumption of 17kWh.  So with all due respect, if this daft meter can baffle a former meter reader, what chance does the average consumer have?

It's baffling because it's likely malfunctioned.

It's baffling because it's likely malfunctioned AND it's almost impossible to see the stupid 1-pixel decimal point. FTFY !

bagand96

Gerry1 said:

bagand96 said:

Gerry1 said:

Verdigris said:

That meter type normally has 5 integers. The decimal point is often only one pixels and easily missed.

The readings are 11762 and 11931, so a consumption of 169kWh.

(Former meter reader)

No they're 1176 and 1193, so a consumption of 17kWh.  So with all due respect, if this daft meter can baffle a former meter reader, what chance does the average consumer have?

It's baffling because it's likely malfunctioned.

It's baffling because it's likely malfunctioned AND it's almost impossible to see the stupid 1-pixel decimal point. FTFY !

I don't disagree that the decimal point is small and difficult to see.  But that meter model wouldn't usually display it in normal operation.  The standard is a 5 figure index without a decimal.  It appears it's gone wrong, reset itself to zero, and now shows a 4 figure index with 3 decimals.

Before: 00123
After 0123.000

Everyone's got their opinions on smart meters and their implementation, but that debate has been done to death over and over, and it won't help resolve the situation for the OP.

PatB

Thank you all for your replies. This has been really helpful. 

I will contact them on Tuesday to discuss and hopefully get a decent outcome. 

Thanks again

bagand96

PatB said:

Thank you all for your replies. This has been really helpful. 

I will contact them on Tuesday to discuss and hopefully get a decent outcome. 

Thanks again

I'd be clear with them and say somethings gone wrong with the meter and that your readings from September are wrong as you've just noticed a decimal point in your display.  If you get your readings from prior to September it will help illustrate a bit better what's going on.

They'll probably have to estimate when the meter reset itself to zero and get an estimated read.  Be sure they know it's reset itself, and hasn't gone round the clock to zero, as you'd end up with an astronomical bill!

You might have to persevere, the frontline customer service agents may not have the expertise/understanding, it might need someone specialised in smart meters to help figure it out.  Photos of the meter will help.

QrizB

@PatB here are three recent threads where other people have had exactly the same problem - their electricity meters (the same model as yours) have reset to zero and started recording with three extra decimal points:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6307132/faulty-electricity-meter

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6302428/massive-electric-usage

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6300482/electricity-smart-meter-upgrade

If you read those threads you'll see you're not alone. You need to speak to your supplier, explain that your meter is faulty and get them to sort it out.

As bagand96 says, you might have to be persistent as this is not something that front-line CS staff see very often.