Gas meter problem?

papito

I have my gas meter reading very high, I can't even put the reading online to Powergen EON because it says it's too much for the time used.
Today I had people from national Grid repairing just outside my house what the said an old and big leak.

Can this be a cause for me to be using more gas than normal and/or could it be the meter which may be damaged or faulty?

Can I claim somehow to the EON and ask for a rebate or reduction? or can I ask for the meter to be checked and probably change too?

Thanks

PasturesNew

Have you sat and watched it?
Checked it every hour?
See if it's going up?

Did you check that you read it right and typed it right on the website (obviously I am sure you did, but it had to be mentioned, in case)

papito

Yes I'm always checking and it seems right, but the readings are really high.

Terrylw1

Since you are always checking, have you checked how much you use per day?

It is very rare that meters are faulty or speeding. There are also other factors that can cause gas to be wasted (see other thread raised today about gas meters)

99% of the time it's an account issue e.g. incorrect meter set up on file, incorrect readings added etc.

Bit difficult to say without more info. Your Supplier can do an accuracy test and re-estimate your bills if the meter is proven faulty. They will first want to do a full check on your account as they know faults are rare.

I can't see how a leak in the external pipe could cause it unless it was the supply directly leading up to your meter which would cause the meter to spin it's dials faster because % of your incoming gas was being lost underground. Thats shouldn't be registering though until it reaches the meter.

dave_dph

Check that the correct meter details are registered to your account, the meter serial number is printed on your bill. A friend of mine just moved house and found the details were incorrect, she was being charged on an imperial meter when she actually has a metric meter; the gas bill was obviously hugely inflated. British Gas & Powergen have now sorted it and creditted for the incorrect bills.

dangermouse83

Hello,

Having a main or service repaired outside your house wouldn't affect your bills, as the leak is before your meter, ie not being registered by the meter.

If you really think your meter is faulty, you can arrange for your meter to be independantly tested via your supplier. But you could incur costs if the test comes back and proves that the meter is ok.

As mentioned before, have the serial number checked against your supplier's details as they may have the wrong information.

Generally, meters with 4 black dials are imperial reading meters, and ones with 5 are metric.

Terrylw1

If the there was a leak after the meter, it could be possible. Another thread has an example of this on there.

Independant testing is only via the Ofgem Meter Examiners, the Supplier uses their own agents.

dangermouse83

sorry, that's what i meant.

You can ask your supplier for an ofgem test or arrange it independantly.

mynameisthehulk

Terrylw1 wrote: »

If the there was a leak after the meter, it could be possible. Another thread has an example of this on there.

Independant testing is only via the Ofgem Meter Examiners, the Supplier uses their own agents.

If there is a leak after the meter then its the home owners pipework and therefore the home owners responsibility. The only way a gas leak could increase your bill and you would get an adjustment is if the leak is at the union coming out of the meter and into your internal pipework.

dangermouse83

You would have to have a hell of a lot of gas leaking after the meter to make your bill high... like an open end on pipework! You would certainly know about it!

Good luck with it!

stimpo

Terrylw1 wrote: »

If the there was a leak after the meter, it could be possible. Another thread has an example of this on there.

Independant testing is only via the Ofgem Meter Examiners, the Supplier uses their own agents.

Generally Transco

You wont get an OFGEM Inspection without first going through your supplier