Non Working Gas Meter

SCowie

I am looking for some advice.

I was with Pure energy for duel supply and before they went bust they put in a smart meter.  It has never worked properly.  Once Shell Energy took over we were able to supply gas readings as the smart meter would not read these.  I then moved to Utility Warehouse where I managed to submit an opening meter reading in December.  When I went to make the January meter reading the screen was blank and has never turned on since.  I was supposed to have a new meter installed by Utility Warehouse on 28th June but they called they day before saying that they could no longer do this job as they do not have any fitters now in Scotland.

My question is where do we stand legally with this as we have not been able to provide an accurate meter reading since January '22.  Everything is estimates.  I am really worried that I am going to be hit with a hefty bill onto of the price rises.  I have been tying to use as little gas as possible just in case.

Thanks for your help and advice in advance.

Alnat1

If they can't monitor how much you're using then not much point using as little as possible.

The estimated use figure will be the same however much you use. Guess if they don't change it soon you can go for a tropical winter and invite all your neighbours/friends/family round to enjoy the benefit..

Ectophile

Make a formal complaint to United Utilities.  Under the Gas Act, they have a legal obligation to provide you with a working gas meter.

QrizB

Ectophile said:

Make a formal complaint to United Utilities.

Utility Warehouse?

EssexHebridean

If you are making a complaint to UW then ensure it is ALL in writing, and keep copies of absolutely everything. Be very prepared for them to try to close off your complaint after every response too - they’re wise to the 8 week rule and work under the misapprehension that if they close off the complaint each time, the clock starts ticking again… 🙄 Also bear in mind that you will spend a lot of time going over exactly the same ground again and again as there is no coherence to their methods of dealing with complaints - they won’t provide a dedicated complaint handler for example. 

Ectophile

QrizB said:

Ectophile said:

Make a formal complaint to United Utilities.

Utility Warehouse?

That might work even better!

C_Mababejive

If your meter had a leak then the gas emergency service could exchange it for a traditional meter as long as it would fit

SCowie

Unfortunately it doesn’t have a leak 😢

SCowie

C_Mababejive said:

If your meter had a leak then the gas emergency service could exchange it for a traditional meter as long as it would fit

Unfortunately it doesn’t have a leak 😢

SAC2334

SCowie said:

C_Mababejive said:

If your meter had a leak then the gas emergency service could exchange it for a traditional meter as long as it would fit

Unfortunately it doesn’t have a leak 😢

Its just a flat battery most probably if its a blank screen.
They can change the battery, ( cost is £15  battery )  a job I ve done plenty of times on the old prepayment meters but nowadays they waste time and money and exchange the whole  meter .

The reading cannot be recovered so most people, at least in the winter months of high usage would be very happy to keep it for as long as possible on estimated bills and for  prepayment meter users its a real money saver and they would be going a little deaf if they heard a meter exchange man knocking on their door.