Scottish Power Meter not showing readings

CmonStoke

Hi So this has been going on for what seems like for ever but just before the first lock down my OAP mum was stopped by a Scottish Power sales team in the entrance to here local supermarket and they convinced her to transfer both Gas and Electric to them. She was on a pre-payment meter for each with two different suppliers. They sent her a card for the gas and key for the electric and the electric, went fine but the Gas meter would not accept here new card or the old supplier card. They then sent a new card and that did not work.

This was during the first lockdown and eventually they sent a gas engineer that wanted to replace her pre-pay meter with the new meter on Direct Debit, she had a melt down and so to calm her I had the direct debit on my bank account. She was then able to save what would go on the card in a tin to pay be back. Since then the display has stopped working and she was having a meter reader come in the belief her readings where accurate, how however after much argument and me showing her the bills several times I managed to persuade her that the meter reader wasn't actually reporting a reading. Of course the argument started when we needed to supply an accurate reading for the October of the first price hike.

We asked Scottish Power to fix the meter but they refuse and say nothing can be done until the gas supply fails to the house. My mums response has been to keep the heating off however they have estimated that she used 4,197 knwh in the previous quarter compared to the same period last year or 2,343 kwh, they are now taking 150 p/m for the gas and billing just over 450 p/m. even though she keeps the heating off. 

I'm going out of my mind as my bill has risen to 350 a month also and its not sustainable. She worries about me paying it and says I want my pre-pay meter back so I'm in control, doesn't want a smart meter as they are too difficult for her to understand and Scottish Power confirmed that they don't work in our region anyway so can't do it.

What do I need to do, I have tried the citizens advice but they just give me an automated message over 5 mins long referring to stuff on the web site that ultimately says the energy company have a duty to come to an agreement, but they just hang up. (it also feels like they are saying tough !!!!!! as they put down the phone).

Sorry for it being so long but I'm ready to hang myself tbh.

EssexHebridean

Your Mum does sound like exactly the sort of person who a Smart Meter would be ideal for to be honest - but right now there is no benefit to her keeping the heating off if they are charging her estimated use anyway. Realistically they are unlikely to recover any information from her failed meter at this stage I would think. It's also worth mentioning that when they change the failed meter they will be installing a smart meter at that stage anyway.

The bigger concern here to me would be that someone was visiting her claiming to be a meter reading but not reporting either the reading or the fact that the meter had failed, by the sound of it? That's a worry. 

diystarter7

Hi OP

Forget the smart meter as your mums needs are immediate.

Ring SP and give them concise info about her vulnerabilty and massive risk of going into debt or becoming ill via lack of heating.
Take the persons name you speak to and ask for their or managers email and copy them in re chat. See where it takes you and tell them you will complain to OFGEM

Read about Smart meters, quiet a few threads re their problems but I guess those that do not post often do't have a problem

Does your mum have tvr's on rads as these can be turned down and higher in the space she stays in and in the bedroom turn it up the hour before she goes to sleep

is your mum set up on the Priority Service register with them?
Speak with them

Tell your MP about the risk to mums health and risk of debt etc - I'm sure they will help


I'm a fan of the standard meters as to get readings etc o these new meters, you need to know what you are downig - on the currennt ones you just read the numbers

You may decide and mum agrees that smart meters are for you and they can be for many, only you can decide

Thnaks