Smart meter incorrect installation caused increased energy usage

matt_drummer

chris_n said:

OP says on page 2 it is foxess.

Thanks,

I thought that was their solar panels, I've not heard of it and didn't look.

Swipe

The OP just needs to spend 30 seconds unclipping and reversing the clamp and resolve this thread.

Kateg28

Hello all, 

So many comments so I apologise if I don’t answer any comments. 

Firstly, I have been in touch with the solar installers and they are sending out an engineer, probably on Wednesday, to fix it all for me. During the call I explained the readings and they think the same as some of the people on this forum have now concluded. 

During the smart meter install the clip was put on incorrectly and what is happening now is that the grid is charging the battery, which then discharges and repeats, and my solar panel is just going to the grid (for which I do not benefit). 

We do not know this but it would explain all the readings and they strongly think this is the problem. They also explained that the app has some technical issues so the feed to the house is a red herring.  This should be resolved shortly. 

It may be that I could reverse the clip myself and if the engineer was not expected on Wednesday, I may have bitten the bullet, put my fear to one side, and tried this. As it is the installers are going to come and check it all over for me as part of their aftercare service. 

For now, the solar array is off. Part of me wants BG to compensate me (if this is the problem caused during their install) but I think the stress and energy (pun intended) to do that is just not worth it.

I will confirm after the engineer has been whether it has been fixed or not but in the meantime, I would not be as clear about the issue if it wasn’t for everyone on this thread trying to decipher the problem. I therefore thank you all for taking the time to assist me, I really really appreciate it. Hopefully I will have positive news middle of the week.

chris_n

Kateg28 said:

Hello all, 

So many comments so I apologise if I don’t answer any comments. 

Firstly, I have been in touch with the solar installers and they are sending out an engineer, probably on Wednesday, to fix it all for me. During the call I explained the readings and they think the same as some of the people on this forum have now concluded. 

During the smart meter install the clip was put on incorrectly and what is happening now is that the grid is charging the battery, which then discharges and repeats, and my solar panel is just going to the grid (for which I do not benefit). 

We do not know this but it would explain all the readings and they strongly think this is the problem. They also explained that the app has some technical issues so the feed to the house is a red herring.  This should be resolved shortly. 

It may be that I could reverse the clip myself and if the engineer was not expected on Wednesday, I may have bitten the bullet, put my fear to one side, and tried this. As it is the installers are going to come and check it all over for me as part of their aftercare service. 

For now, the solar array is off. Part of me wants BG to compensate me (if this is the problem caused during their install) but I think the stress and energy (pun intended) to do that is just not worth it.

I will confirm after the engineer has been whether it has been fixed or not but in the meantime, I would not be as clear about the issue if it wasn’t for everyone on this thread trying to decipher the problem. I therefore thank you all for taking the time to assist me, I really really appreciate it. Hopefully I will have positive news middle of the week.

BG or their installers are unlikely to compensate you but no harm in asking if your installer will give you written confirmation that this is what happened. You may get a goodwill credit on your account but not worth causing stress for.
I have come across problems with electricians understanding when current flows are not in the direction they are expecting before now so a meter installer who is not necessarily a time served electrician doesn't stand much chance of getting it right and probably doesn't know a CT can be directional.

cm4ever

@Kateg28 - to stop your thread turning into forum clickbait would you consider editing your thread title - as your new smart meter isn't the cause of your issue - it's the incorrectly reinstalled CT clamp 

The_Green_Hornet

cm4ever said:

@Kateg28 - to stop your thread turning into forum clickbait would you consider editing your thread title - as your new smart meter isn't the cause of your issue - it's the incorrectly reinstalled CT clamp 

I think that ship has sailed.

Kateg28

I am happy to edit to state that “error in smart meter installation caused increased energy usage” but I don’t know how to edit the title. 

Kateg28

Also we don’t actually know that yet until the installer sends engineer back out. All the evidence does point to that being the cause though. 

victor2

Kateg28 said:

Also we don’t actually know that yet until the installer sends engineer back out. All the evidence does point to that being the cause though. 

If you do want to edit the title, you should be able to click on the little cog by the title and select Edit. Makes sense to wait until you have verified the cause though. 

Kateg28

victor2 said:

Kateg28 said:

Also we don’t actually know that yet until the installer sends engineer back out. All the evidence does point to that being the cause though. 

If you do want to edit the title, you should be able to click on the little cog by the title and select Edit. Makes sense to wait until you have verified the cause though. 

There wasn’t a cog until I became a forumite so I had no idea how to do this but all good now. 

So, the clip was the problem. 

All my appliances are working fine with no malfunction (which I was sure about). 

The clip was causing the grid to charge the battery and my solar was all going to the grid.  Yes, I could have possibly swapped this myself but I am nervous as I know nothing about it and it did no harm to have the solar installers call in and check everything over. 

Fair play to them, they were prompt and they have proved to have excellent service. 

The Foxess app also now appears to be working so the weird graphics showing the house charging the battery etc, were not part of the problem, it just made it seem that the situation was worse as nothing made sense. Now my partner is back to playing with the app. 

Hopefully the spike in usage for a week or so will not cause the bills to jump massively. I will notify BG what happened but I can’t be bothered to chase for compensation etc. 

Thank you to everyone who took the time to assist, it was really appreciated as I was so stressed. What a fantastic community.