Register Multiplier

LessThanSte

Today's news articles re Smart Meters reminded me of our situation, which I have been meaning to query for a while.

We moved home 3 years ago. Our electricity bill has a 'consumption adjusted by register multiplier of 0.1' alongside it. For context, our usage was calculated for last month (broadly average) to ~80kWh - this in a 4 bed detached house with one of us working from home almost every day. This has always seemed low.  

We used the same energy company in our previous house, on the same estate and built at the same time. The smart meters there were installed in 2018 ish - i dont know how long they have been installed at this address but presume much longer ago than that (the display unit is particularly archaic). There was no such multiplier on my previous house bills. 

Shortly after moving I queried the above with our energy provider on several occasions in the first 6 months, they confirmed (even after me pressing further) that all was correct. I've not raised again since (im aware that i can only be back billed for 12 months max).

For context, whilst we moved to a bigger house (smallest 3 bed to largest 4 bed on the estate), the only additional electrical items we gained in the move, and use regularly, were a fridge freezer, underfloor bathroom heating (which is mostly not on), a pond pump and 8x halogen garden lights (now LED) - none of which seem excessive power draws and i would readily expect our electricity bills pre and post move to be similar (gas, obviously, would be very different). But in the old house, our monthly usage was in the region of 250-300kWh. 300% difference.

This leads me with a question - if this register multiplier is correct, my usage now would suggest i was vastly overpaying in the previous house. Otherwise, if the register multiplier is incorrect (i.e. was removed), that would imply ive increased usage by 250%, which seems excessive given the limited new electrical items we now have. Unless, of course, there is something i havent found yet that is leaking power (is that even remotely likely? if so, how would i find out?).

Leaving that aside, i sit here with what seems like a fairly low electricity bill. I now solely use the immersion heater to heat water instead of the boiler, and might get an EV next. But it would be nice to have some certainty for forward planning purposes.

Grateful for any thoughts/observations/advice.

molerat

There should not be a multiplier of any sort used with an (domestic) electricity meter, what you see is what you pay for.  Post up a picture of the meter, with the serial number hidden, and a few past reads and you will get some comments.  Who is your supplier ?

LessThanSte

I realised today that i never responded to this, oops.

This is whats shown on (all) my bills (only on electricity, not gas)


Interestingly, the difference between the two meter readings at the start and end of the month is 490, which then adjusts down (when the multiplier applied) to 49kWh.

For context, we pay £200/month for both gas and electric, through Octopus Energy. Last month our total electric costs were c.£33, and about £25 gas. This month, i decided to use the immersion heater for hot water, so our gas usage is currently essentially zero. Gas usage in peak-winter is around £150/month, whilst electricity is around what it is now.

Heres a picture of the meter (taken a year or so ago);

BarelySentientAI

Well the register multiplier is being applied correctly, but having one is extremely unusual for domestic properties.  They're usually seen on CT-based industrial metering - which yours isn't.  I can't imagine what in your setup has meant that should be applied.

On "why might my energy use have increased" - the immersion heater is obviously one that you know about, but pond pumps can be ridiculous - I've seen them before with 250W continuous load, which could be over 150kWh per month just for the pump.

molerat

49 kWh and a £30 bill is ridiculously low for a family home.  490 kWh is far more likely so at some stage someone has made an almighty foul up.  I suggest you get a plan in place for the £1K+ back billing they will be coming after when someone eventually realises - although with the level of incompetence within the industry I doubt that will happen

victor2

Check what the meter is actually recording by switching EVERYTHING off for a short while, then just running something like an electric heater of a known load, electric shower, or similar for, say, 15 minutes and seeing what the meter says you've used. Don't forget to switch your fridge back on afterwards!

Then you'll have an idea if the register multiplier should, or should not, be applied.

LessThanSte

Thanks all. 

Thanks for the helpful comparison vs typical usage - thats roughly where i thought it should be but obviously its much less than that.

We've been here 3 years and they've not noticed yet. I believe they can only ever demand payment for the last 12 months - so we'll keep that rainy day fund just in case.

I'll update if, someday, they come knocking.