Meter Replacement

JKS5 · 20 September 2015 at 2:15PM

Hi All, long time lurker, first time poster here, finally with a question to ask.

I received a letter yesterday from my energy supplier stating, "since you started generating your own electricity your standard supply electricity meter hasn't been working properly" and they want to replace my meter.

I have had solar panels for over 18 months and give regular meter readings for both generation and use. My supply meter has the "cog stop" icon on it, meaning it wont run backwards and I have an Owl monitor which seems to tie up with generation - i.e. when load is higher than demand supply meter has stopped, when demand is higher than generation the meter moves at a pace that increases with demand.

The sceptical side of me says this is a ruse for my supplier, who is also my FIT supplier, to fit a smart meter so they can directly measure my grid input rather than the assumed 50% which I believe I'm better off with.

For clarification the letter just says meter, not smart meter.

They also say as this isn't my fault, they will not charge for any electricity not registered on my meter that I've used

Are there any questions I should be asking, I'm unsure how they have come to the conclusion that its faulty, no one has inspected or tested it, I suspect it's because I'm now a low user.

.

dogshome · 20 September 2015 at 2:42PM

I'm afraid you cannot refuse a meter change, and suppliers/power distribution Co's can really heavy handed if a customer refuses and/or denies access.

Maybe your suspicion that your supplier thinks your meter is under recording is correct, but so what? - Their offer not to charge for under recorded power could be worth a lot of dosh, and if the meter isn't faulty they will have spent a few bob with no end result.

Just make very sure the meter change crew leave you with a card showing the reading on the old meter as it was removed and the reading on the new meter as it was installed By the rules they are supposed to do this, sometimes don't and causing absolute mayhem for the customer

[Deleted User] · 20 September 2015 at 3:52PM

It may have the "cog stop " icon but have you ever seen it running backwards as most old analogue meters will. I ve got to admit never seeing that icon myself. If its over 25 years old they have to replace it and you cannot refuse a new meter.I m sure they would have mentioned if a smart meter if it was going to be one.You can refuse that right up to the meter fitter appearing on your doorstep .He s supposed to check if you want one, although mine did nt ask

JKS5 · 20 September 2015 at 4:08PM

Thanks for the quick replies.

Dogshome -the tip on the meter read card - thanks for that's very helpful

sacsquacco - I have seen the meter stopped but never running in reverse.

I believe the meter to be correct, and wonder how they "know" it is faulty, they have not tested it.

I am not against having it replaced, I just don't want a smart meter, I also realise their offer of not paying for any unmetered use -could- be generous, however I have no reason to believe the meter is incorrect, I do keep a reasonably close watch on my power usage.

[Deleted User] · 20 September 2015 at 6:28PM

One last try..if you have a Sangamo Weston analogue meter and its showing a blank digit on the 5 th single kwhr dial, the meter index is stopped completely, even tho the rotating ring continues. I see quite a few of these every year.A good thump on the side restarts it. Theres something odd about the supplier statement that "we know the meter is faulty "

JKS5 · 20 September 2015 at 6:59PM

It is a Sangmo analogue meter, I cant see a model name/number. All digits are reading and are different on my meter reads, including the 2 sub digits.

The quote "since you started generating your own electricity your standard supply electricity meter hasn't been working properly" is exactly as its printed in the letter I received.

[Deleted User] · 20 September 2015 at 7:09PM

Ok, maybe they re assuming that as its an old Sangamo its likely to be faulty with the ability to reverse when used in solar panel systems
I sent a big complaint into OFGEM recently about these meters being used alongside solar panels. They should nt be used and should be replaced with digital meters.You may have a model which does nt reverse.Every one Ive seen certainly does. Maybe they re just playing safe .They re all nearing the end of their certification life anyway. You will just get a standard Ampy digital meter if you use your right to refuse a smart.

JKS5 · 4 October 2015 at 3:01PM

Update.

Meter has been replaced with a small digital one, G4S guy that fitted it had a good look at the old install and could find no evidence of it running in reverse - It was a bright sunny day.

I'm confidant my usage will remain similar.

Caroline15 · 29 October 2015 at 4:33PM

Thanks for posting OP,

I have also had a letter with the same quoted sentence. I already have a digital display meter, so what can be wrong with my meter, who knows!

My guess is that they don't like that when we are generating a surplass, we are diverting spare to heat the immersion and then a small 500W oil filled radiator to provide background heat and to 'waste' less of what we make (not that that works on a cloudy day, like today!)

I wasn't sure it was a real letter and so phoned BG who said they hadn't issued a letter and to ignore it!

Now not sure what to do!

Bark01 · 29 October 2015 at 4:43PM

Did the letter state that its was from BG? It could have been from your local meter operator.

Meter Replacement

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