Want Electric meter disconnected for 6 months whilst away.

MickyLuv

I'm frequently away from my flat for 6 months at a time when visiting family in Canada.

Previously I'd just leave the meter ticking over but with the new standing charges I'd rather not.

My new supplier of 'electricity only' is British Gas.

Please can anyone inform me of the best way to arrange this disconnection and the charge I'd pay for disconnection and eventual re-connection?

Mstty

The money you save from not paying the service charge will not cover the disconnection/reconnection charge after the 6 months.

Lol just seen the link below @[Deleted User] wow

[Deleted User]

https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/electricity/disconnect/time-and-cost

JGB1955

[Deleted User] said:

https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/electricity/disconnect/time-and-cost

and then there's the problem (6 months down the line) of getting a supplier who will be willing to take on new customers....

Ectophile

The problem is that they aren't just going to pull out the fuse and leave it at that.  The fuses are standard items you can get from any electrical wholesalers. There would be too many naughty people who would shove a new fuse in and get free electricity.

So they have to disconnect the supply to the property, which costs a lot more.

Mobtr

You can request your supplied comes out to disconnect the electric by pulling the main fuse. However the MPAN will then be de energised & you will need a private electrician to do a safety check & issue you with an Icert before you can get reconnected again. You will also possibly need to pay for the disconnection/reconnection so what you save in the standing charge will be eaten up by other costs 

Robin9

What do your insurers say  - heating ?

MickyLuv

Mstty said:

The money you save from not paying the service charge will not cover the disconnection/reconnection charge after the 6 months.

Lol just seen the link below @[Deleted User] wow

LOL, Impasse?

The information from the link you mention seems to indicate that the charges relate to big works done over relatively short periods including planning permissions.

Abbreviating the link to:

https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/electricity/disconnect/

Shows an option on the page for:

4. Disconnect an electricity meter

Typically customers need this when:

• Moving out of a property and they don’t want to be charged for an electricity bill
• Renovating a property and want their electricity meter removed temporarily or permanently
  

This option doesn't seem to require so much effort from power company and might cost a bit less.

[Deleted User]

Mobtr said:

You can request your supplied comes out to disconnect the electric by pulling the main fuse. However the MPAN will then be de energised & you will need a private electrician to do a safety check & issue you with an Icert before you can get reconnected again. You will also possibly need to pay for the disconnection/reconnection so what you save in the standing charge will be eaten up by other costs 

As suppliers are not responsible for main fuses then that will be an interesting conversation. Main fuses are part of the Grid and DNOs retain responsibility for the local electricity infrastructure. Smart meter installers have delegated powers to allow them to pull the main fuse during a smart meter installation, or to re-boot a communications hub. They carry approved security seals. My understanding is that if the meter remains in place then the standing charge will continue to be applied. The supplier is still required to carry out safety checks and monitor remaining meter certificated life.

If the MPAN  is rescinded then one could reasonably conclude that reconnection would be treated by the DNO/supplier as a new connection.

MickyLuv

Mobtr said:

You can request your supplied comes out to disconnect the electric by pulling the main fuse. However the MPAN will then be de energised & you will need a private electrician to do a safety check & issue you with an Icert before you can get reconnected again. You will also possibly need to pay for the disconnection/reconnection so what you save in the standing charge will be eaten up by other costs 

Yes  I can see how the charges can escalate, so this might be the ultimate deterrent.

Escalation of charges does seem to have become quite fashionable.

MWT

MickyLuv said:

Previously I'd just leave the meter ticking over but with the new standing charges I'd rather not.

This isn't really an option, you have to have the meter removed, not just disconnected if you want the standing charge to stop.

Even if this isn't an issue for your home insurance (which it probably is...) it just doesn't make sense as you would pay more to have the meter removed and then reinstalled than you would save in standing charge costs over 6 months.