Gas Meter is not working

aikey

Hi all

I have a liberty 100 gas meter and all of a sudden it's stopped sending data and the screen doesn't work. The lights don't flash on it either. It looks dead. 

I've rang my supplier several times and it takes hours to get through for something that isn't my fault. I was told it will be scheduled in but still waiting a month later. 

I quite simply want to know, will my supplier have to now estimate my bill? We've cut down on usage as it's a mild autumn so far or will the meter still record usage?

Thanks

Netexporter

It sounds like the battery needs replacing. I think the meter can still carry on recording readings even though there isn't enough power to light the display. Meters have to be capable of holding over a year's worth of data.

ArbitraryRandom

If you aren't happy:

1. Make a complaint (email is fine, but use the word complaint). 
2. Gather your statements from the same time last year to work out if you think the estimated use is reasonable or not. 
3. 8 weeks after having made your complaint, if you're still not happy, escalate the complaint to the ombudsman (submit your evidence - the ombudsman doesn't investigate)

Robin9

@aikey

Who is the supplier ?

Don't waste your time talking to CS - make a formal complaint as above.

aikey

Scottish power is the supplier. I'll try a complaint method. Not sure if they have an email. 

I've just been told by a work colleague, if the gas meter needs battery replacement then it has no way to record the data and there is a potential for the gas to be cut out. I've just got on to loop energy to check usage and it's not been seeing any data for a month.

powergen_insider

aikey said:

Scottish power is the supplier. I'll try a complaint method. Not sure if they have an email. 

I've just been told by a work colleague, if the gas meter needs battery replacement then it has no way to record the data and there is a potential for the gas to be cut out. I've just got on to loop energy to check usage and it's not been seeing any data for a month.

Yes, it might not record (if the battery is completely drained).

No, it will not cut off your gas.

aikey

Ok that's a relief, I was anxious about gas being cut off. I won't chase them after complaint.

powergen_insider

aikey said:

Ok that's a relief, I was anxious about gas being cut off. I won't chase them after complaint.

The forum's resident (ex) meter reader(s) might be able to enlighten you about how many gas meters with dead batteries are hanging around still installed - it's not an unusual issue and there seems to be many other people in the same situation as you.

imeach

powergen_insider said:

aikey said:

Ok that's a relief, I was anxious about gas being cut off. I won't chase them after complaint.

The forum's resident (ex) meter reader(s) might be able to enlighten you about how many gas meters with dead batteries are hanging around still installed - it's not an unusual issue and there seems to be many other people in the same situation as you.

Yes
Thousands of maybe hundreds of thousands blank screens for one reason or another.
Some suppliers don't seem interested and Scottish Power are probably the worst in my experience 

aikey

I thought it's in their interest to ensure they have accurate data. They can be in loss. Their choice

Ectophile

aikey said:

I thought it's in their interest to ensure they have accurate data. They can be in loss. Their choice

Not really.  The retail energy companies will be paying their suppliers according to how much their customers use.  So if a meter isn't recording anything, then the energy company won't be paying their supplier for the energy either.

The people who lose out will be the generators, who are generating electricity that nobody is paying for.