Electric Meters

[Infidel]

Just a quick question how often should meters be changed?
The reason I ask is because the company I'm with has seriously underestimated what I'm using I pay by DD £128 a month for electric only I have gas central heating, and an electric shower.dishwasher, washing machine, etc the usual.
OK It's a three bed detached with 2 teenagers. When I rang up to ask how come, the woman took the readings and said thats odd I also mentioned that the meter had not been changed since prior to 1987 when we moved in.
She cut the DD to £70 and ordered a meter change for next week and rather than be in debit I'm now in credit to the tune of £127.
Just seems a bit odd is an old meter likely to run fast.

TIA

 

[wingcoax]

You are one lucky SOB most suppliers would take the highest reading and backdate it as far as they could and hit you with a knockout bill.

 

[ericmark]

Old meters were not really watt/hour meters but amp/hour meters and as long as the voltage remained within limits there was not a problem. But if there is a volt drop you pay for power you had not used.

 

[Sparky3]

To give a low reading your meter wouldn't be running fast, it would be slow which is highly unlikely.

You can do a quick calibration check. Switch everything off and disconnect all appliances. Connect a 1 kW heater and check what the reading shows. eg 1 kW heater for 0.25 hours = 0.25 kWh on your meter, for 30 mins = 0.5 kWh.

Best wishes

Sparky3

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I'm confused - if they have underestimated your use then reducing the monthly payment will put you more adrift, not less....

 

[Steve]

Just a quick question how often should meters be changed?
The reason I ask is because the company I'm with has seriously underestimated what I'm using I pay by DD £128 a month for electric only I have gas central heating, and an electric shower.dishwasher, washing machine, etc the usual.
OK It's a three bed detached with 2 teenagers. When I rang up to ask how come, the woman took the readings and said thats odd I also mentioned that the meter had not been changed since prior to 1987 when we moved in.
She cut the DD to £70 and ordered a meter change for next week and rather than be in debit I'm now in credit to the tune of £127.
Just seems a bit odd is an old meter likely to run fast.

TIA

Care to re-explain that?

What was your monthly direct debit? What was this time's bill? Was the bill more or less than you expected?

 

[flameport]

£128 / month for electricity only in a 3 bed house is outrageously high.
So is £70.