Do those older IHD units that didn't require a smart meter still exist?

dekaspace1

Going back about 14 years I used to use those devices that clipped onto the wire under meter and had a plug in IHD much like smart meters but not dependant on them.

Back in 2016 I was changed to a smart meter at a former property and the installer took my device with him (without permission) leaving me a useless IHD proabably assumed I no longer needed it but since then have been in 2 properties which had regular meters.

I want to check my usage as my bills have basically tripled in past 18 months despite being in a property well under half the size and I use items far less i.e showers are half the time and often every 2 days rather than daily, washing machine once a week with small load rather than twice a week so should be lower (going by dividing the usage over the year by 52 rather than actual weekly usage hence why I wanted to check it in realtime) even if we factor in price increases.

Do those devices still exist? If so what are they called and any way to get them?

Gerry1

It's called an Energy Monitor.  One type uses a clip-on lead to measure the current.  The voltage is assumed so it won't be 100% accurate but will still be useful

The other uses a photocell to count the flashes from the metrology light.  Usually more accurate but it can't detect an inaccurate meter.

FreeBear

Gerry1 said:

It's called an Energy Monitor.  One type uses a clip-on lead to measure the current.  The voltage is assumed so it won't be 100% accurate but will still be useful

It was probably something like the Owl energy monitor. Still available - https://www.theowl.com/

Personally, I prefer something that is powered by the mains and can give a true power reading.

Spoonie_Turtle

Have you checked the bills to see if they're based on actual readings and real usage?

dunstonh

I had a geo minim energy monitor before the IHD (the version that counted the red dots but they did other versions as well).  That was great.

I dumped it after getting a decent IHD.

MultiFuelBurner

dekaspace1 said:

Going back about 14 years I used to use those devices that clipped onto the wire under meter and had a plug in IHD much like smart meters but not dependant on them.

Back in 2016 I was changed to a smart meter at a former property and the installer took my device with him (without permission) leaving me a useless IHD proabably assumed I no longer needed it but since then have been in 2 properties which had regular meters.

I want to check my usage as my bills have basically tripled in past 18 months despite being in a property well under half the size and I use items far less i.e showers are half the time and often every 2 days rather than daily, washing machine once a week with small load rather than twice a week so should be lower (going by dividing the usage over the year by 52 rather than actual weekly usage hence why I wanted to check it in realtime) even if we factor in price increases.

Do those devices still exist? If so what are they called and any way to get them?

Has the cost tripled or the actual kWh usage?

Do you have records of reading here meter yourself and recording usage?

dekaspace1

Old property was pre pay, current is dry meter and has double due to previous tenants getting a heating upgrade to gas a few years back and previously had storage heater.

I just go by cost rather than KWh and have random meter readings.

MultiFuelBurner

dekaspace1 said:

Old property was pre pay, current is dry meter and has double due to previous tenants getting a heating upgrade to gas a few years back and previously had storage heater.

I just go by cost rather than KWh and have random meter readings.

Then that's your issue cost is useless unless it is based on actual meter reads and not estimates.

Time to change your thinking to kWh and usage rather than a direct debit. That way you take back control of your energy usage and cost.

Alnat1

dekaspace1 said:

Old property was pre pay, current is dry meter and has double due to previous tenants getting a heating upgrade to gas a few years back and previously had storage heater.

I just go by cost rather than KWh and have random meter readings.

You're not still on an E7 tariff from when there were storage heaters are you?

dekaspace1

Alnat1 said:

dekaspace1 said:

Old property was pre pay, current is dry meter and has double due to previous tenants getting a heating upgrade to gas a few years back and previously had storage heater.

I just go by cost rather than KWh and have random meter readings.

You're not still on an E7 tariff from when there were storage heaters are you?

Thats what I am thinking, sure a meter reader told me I pay more during the daytime.

Alnat1

Get changed back onto one rate as soon as you can.