Massive spike in electricity usage - Octopus Energy customer [Merged]

Raxiel

CSI_Yorkshire said:

Litigation prevents me going into details, but I am aware of a similar meter that had a similar glitch following disruption in the local grid.

I remember three or four years ago seeing a few posts about this meter type too, as well as comments from a meter reader/regular poster (who doesn't seem to be around any more, unless they have a new account) who mentioned they had a high failure rate compared to other models.

Spoonie_Turtle

This particular meter type has a certification period of 25yrs, just for extra info.

reggie04

Thank you for taking the time to reply, all the information is much appreciated.

MWT

The only remaining point to clarify before going back to Octopus would be the date and meter reading of the previous actual reading, not estimate...

If that was a month before then it is time to start escalating obviously...

reggie04

Another month has passed and the saga continues. They want us to employ an electrician to carry out a survey and test the meter. Below is the latest from Octopus:

"I recommended an electrician to come out to your property to see what might've caused this anomaly. Unfortunately, we cannot extrapolate any other data from our end that will determine what may have caused the unusual spike.

However, if you're confident that there is no other reason the reading may have spiked usually, and you've been advised by an electrician that the issue is due to a faulty meter, then we can of course exchange your meter. We will then estimate your usage up until the day of the exchange.

The electrician will be checking to see if there is a fault with the meter or if there is another issue that would've caused the irregular spike in your meter reading. It could potentially be a faulty fuse or something different. We would need to see a report from the electrician detailing what they found and what caused the spike in usage. This will help us to determine how we will resolve this issue for you.

We'll likely need to estimate your usage (due to the spike in the readings) and replace the meter regardless of the outcome. However, the electricians report will help us to identify whether this issue will occur again with your new meter or not."

I've requested several times that the issue be escalated in Octopus and I'm still dealing with the same person. I submitted a formal complaint still nothing.

I am unsure of what to do now, there have been no further spikes and the meter readings have returned to normal. I've been taking regular readings.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

QrizB

reggie04 said:

I am unsure of what to do now, there have been no further spikes and the meter readings have returned to normal. I've been taking regular readings.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

I don't find Octopus's suggestion of an electrician to be particularly helpful. A "faulty fuse" would have burst into flames long ago if it was responsible for a real energy demand this high. The best you can hope for is for the electrician to state categorically that there is no appliance (or combination of appliances) in your property that could have consumed 38kWh an hour continuously for three weeks.

The next step would normally be to request the fitting of a check meter, bit as this was a one-off event that's not likely to help either.

I think you are entitled to request an OFMAT test of the meter, which will involve having it removed by Octopus and sent off for testing. This is most likely to find whatever is wrong with it, but you still risk the being no fault found and then being on the hook for the cost of the test without being any further forward.

reggie04

I posted a few weeks ago after taking a meter reading that showed a 20,870 kWh usage in a 3-week period (please see older post for more info). I received lots of helpful responses but I am still going back and forth with Octopus. They want us to employ an electrician to carry out a survey and test the meter. Below is the latest from Octopus:

"I recommended an electrician to come out to your property to see what might've caused this anomaly. Unfortunately, we cannot extrapolate any other data from our end that will determine what may have caused the unusual spike.

However, if you're confident that there is no other reason the reading may have spiked usually, and you've been advised by an electrician that the issue is due to a faulty meter, then we can of course exchange your meter. We will then estimate your usage up until the day of the exchange.

The electrician will be checking to see if there is a fault with the meter or if there is another issue that would've caused the irregular spike in your meter reading. It could potentially be a faulty fuse or something different. We would need to see a report from the electrician detailing what they found and what caused the spike in usage. This will help us to determine how we will resolve this issue for you.

We'll likely need to estimate your usage (due to the spike in the readings) and replace the meter regardless of the outcome. However, the electrician's report will help us to identify whether this issue will occur again with your new meter or not."

I've requested several times that the issue be escalated in Octopus and I'm still dealing with the same person. I submitted a formal complaint still nothing.

I am unsure of what to do now, there have been no further spikes and the meter readings have returned to normal. I've been taking regular readings. I am not convinced an electrician will be able to prove anything one way or the other.

Any advice would be much appreciated. 

reggie04

QrizB said:

reggie04 said:

I am unsure of what to do now, there have been no further spikes and the meter readings have returned to normal. I've been taking regular readings.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

I don't find Octopus's suggestion of an electrician to be particularly helpful. A "faulty fuse" would have burst into flames long ago if it was responsible for a real energy demand this high. The best you can hope for is for the electrician to state categorically that there is no appliance (or combination of appliances) in your property that could have consumed 38kWh an hour continuously for three weeks.

The next step would normally be to request the fitting of a check meter, bit as this was a one-off event that's not likely to help either.

I think you are entitled to request an OFMAT test of the meter, which will involve having it removed by Octopus and sent off for testing. This is most likely to find whatever is wrong with it, but you still risk the being no fault found and then being on the hook for the cost of the test without being any further forward.

That was my feeling too. I feel we're in a bit of a stalemate but with a huge bill hanging over me. I can't see how proof of cause can be found either way.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

an electrician can't do a meter test, either another meter is fitted in series or meter is changed and sent away for testing.

Gerry1

It's very confusing to have two threads on exactly the same topic.  Best to ask the mods to delete this one and just continue the original one.