Meter problem

Options
Katykat
Katykat Posts: 1,743 Forumite
First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
in LPG, heating oil, solid & other fuels
My daughter has just had her electric and gas bill from the same company. It was read by a meter reader in her absence( outside meter). Her bill states that her electricity usage has increased by 46% from the same time last year and gas is up by 476%. Her conditions have not changed, she lives alone, is at work all day, has a combi boiler and has not used her central heating since the first week in April. She rang SSE Atlantic who were not much help. They suggested changing her tariff to a cheaper one, but that isn’t her concern. She simply can’t understand why her gas usage has increased by almost 500%. What should her next step be?
:smileyhea A SMILE COSTS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
«1

Comments

  • Ectophile
    Ectophile Posts: 7,335 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    Options
    The first thing to do would be to pop outside, read the meters, and check that the supplier's meter readings are correct.
    If it sticks, force it.
    If it breaks, well it wasn't working right anyway.
  • Robin9
    Robin9 Posts: 12,105 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Options
    And look back on her old bills - when was the last Actual reading ?

    How often has your daughter been reading her own meter and sending them to her supplier ?
    Never pay on an estimated bill
  • Katykat
    Katykat Posts: 1,743 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Options
    She doesnt read her own meter. Every other quarter its read by a meter man/ woman and the others are estimates. She has checked the meters and the readings do correspond with the bill. But the fact that the gas reading is up by 476% seems wrong. The only gas appliance that she has is a combi boiler which has only been used for hot water, no heating for the past 3 months. Is there likely to be a gas leak? Would we be able to smell it and should we be concerned?
    :smileyhea A SMILE COSTS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
  • dogshome
    dogshome Posts: 3,877 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary
    Options
    Who is the manufacturer of the gas meter and what type is it - 1 Clock meter with 5 little dials? -2 Analogue meter with numbered revolving wheels? - 3 Digital meter with electronic display?
    1 Is very easily mis-read, even by meter readers
    2 The most reliable, but can go wrong
    3 Battery powered and can go rogue producing advancing reading when no gas is being used - CHECK THE READING several times during a day when no gas is being used
  • Robin9
    Robin9 Posts: 12,105 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Options
    Is this latest bill an Estimated one or from a meter reader ?

    It's very rare for a meter reader to read any meter these days let alone twice a year.

    Could you please post the readings for the last 12 months or so.
    Never pay on an estimated bill
  • Katykat
    Katykat Posts: 1,743 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Options
    Robin9 wrote: »
    Is this latest bill an Estimated one or from a meter reader ?

    It's very rare for a meter reader to read any meter these days let alone twice a year.

    Could you please post the readings for the last 12 months or so.

    It’s a meter reader bill. Every other bill is read so there are 2 meter reader ills per year and 2 estimated. I’ll get the readings & post.
    :smileyhea A SMILE COSTS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
  • Katykat
    Katykat Posts: 1,743 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Options
    dogshome wrote: »
    Who is the manufacturer of the gas meter and what type is it - 1 Clock meter with 5 little dials? -2 Analogue meter with numbered revolving wheels? - 3 Digital meter with electronic display?
    1 Is very easily mis-read, even by meter readers
    2 The most reliable, but can go wrong
    3 Battery powered and can go rogue producing advancing reading when no gas is being used - CHECK THE READING several times during a day when no gas is being used
    I’ll go round & check the meter
    :smileyhea A SMILE COSTS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
  • Waterlily24
    Waterlily24 Posts: 1,328 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post
    Options
    Robin9 wrote: »
    Is this latest bill an Estimated one or from a meter reader ?

    It's very rare for a meter reader to read any meter these days[COlet alone twice a year.

    Could you please post the readings for the last 12 months or so.]


    That's not true, my son's a meter reader and works 7 days a week sometimes. He's one of the top readers for the company.
  • greyteam1959
    greyteam1959 Posts: 4,576 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary
    Options
    Your son might be a meter reader & work very hard & be one of the top meter readers.
    That does not mean that he reads peoples meters twice a year.

    I have not had my electric or gas meters read by a meter reader for at least 5 years.
  • Robin9
    Robin9 Posts: 12,105 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Options
    Katykat - have you been able to resolve your daughter's bills ?
    Never pay on an estimated bill
This discussion has been closed.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 343.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 250.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 235.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 608.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 173.1K Life & Family
  • 247.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards