Faulty electricity meters

TonyBroke

I switched to npower towards the end of 2007 and just got my first bill, which was well over twice the amount of the bill for the same period a year ago.

When I got over the shock and looked closely at the bill our electricity usage seems to have skyrocketed - the meter readings (no estimated ones) for the quarter work out at an average of 48 units per day which is a dramatic increase over November & December which average out at 12 per day (oh, and checking last year's figures, 2007 as a whole worked out at 11 units per day average).

So, I am assuming a faulty meter is to blame (it's a digital one, btw). Does anyone here have any experience of faulty meters and getting them tested?

Premier_2

So you appear to suddenly be using four times more electricity than you previously did?

That does sound suspicious. You could try calling nPower and explaining the situation. See if you can convince them to check the meter for accuracy - which in effect means they will exchange the meter (and usually fail to do anything else). At least if you get a replacement meter fitted you'll know if you really are using 48 units per day or just 12.

If you get a new meter and it reverts to 12 units per day, then it would be assumed the current meter is faulty (unless someone does actually check it, but that's unlikely) and you'll should get a revised bill based on estimated usage (i.e about 12 units per day)

Of course if the new meter also shows 48 units per day, then it could be that the old meter was faulty, hence why it was replaced. In which case, keep quiet as you have been getting electicity at 75% discount in the past.

Captain_Hotair

Meters can be checked, just tell yr supplier that U want yr meter calibrated and they contact the meter outfit who send someone around and he checks it. Did it for mine ............. pretty acurate unfortunately!

mute_posting

I think if the meter is checked and it turns out to be correct they will charge you for the test.

AFAIK they install a second meter in-line with the original and compare the readings.

I'd say it is unlikely to be a faulty meter IMHO

Do you use electric to heat water OP? has the IH been left on 24/7?

HTH

MP

TonyBroke

mute_posting wrote: »

I think if the meter is checked and it turns out to be correct they will charge you for the test.

AFAIK they install a second meter in-line with the original and compare the readings.

I'd say it is unlikely to be a faulty meter IMHO

Do you use electric to heat water OP? has the IH been left on 24/7?

HTH

MP

I should have mentioned that we have gas central heating/water, gas cooker, and energysaver bulbs throughout which is probably why we have managed such a low average electric usage previously.