E-on ? Broken meter

[Tammimi]

Hello there

Got a bit of a problem, we've received our December-March bill for £350. Our previous bills were £50-120 throughout the year and we've been away for two weeks over christmas and a further two weeks in February. I immediately rang E-on to tell them there was a discrepency they asked me to check the meter. This is where it gets interesting the meter reads 21229.

 

E-on informed me they have an actual reading taken November 18th that is also 21229. I didn't take that reading or give it to them, but it is recorded on my November bill.

I was home that day and didn't see anyone read the meter.

 

So now the meter reads 21229, but since I cannot verify what the meter read in November I can't be sure it isn't broken. I checked the meter at 4pm today and it read 21229, I read it again at 7pm and it still reads 21229. Is this normal?

Electricity usage wise we are a couple in a small flat that only uses electricity. We currently have on the heating (low), the dryer, the fridge/freezer.

 

I spoke to E-on today and refused to pay the £350, they are sending an engineer to check the meter in April. But where do I stand on payment if the meter is broken?

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this

[riolto10]

What is the latest meter reading on the bill for £350 and does it have a e next to the reading for estimate the latest reading cant be more than the one in november if the meter is broken so the latest bill would have to be amended

[Tammimi]

It reads:

Period Previous Present Rate KWhours

28nov12 to 18jan13 21229A 22371E normal 1142

18Jan13 to 1Feb13 22371E 22685E normal 314

1Feb13 to 20Mar13 22685E 23737E normal 1052

 

So their estimate is 23737 but I don't know where they seem to have got these figures from?

Hope this is helpful.

[riolto10]

So its just a estimated bill if you give them the latest reading you have used nothing since november its up to them to cancel latest bill owing to it being a estimated one and sort it out from previous used bills

[Tammimi]

Thank you for your help. I was worried they could impose their bizarre estimates if the meter was broken.

Still i find it bizarre they have obtained their own actual reading and at the moment they obtained it our meter spontaneously stopped working!

[riolto10]

Must have been read says A next to bill for actual and no they cant charge you a estimated bill if the meter is broken read it again tomorrow and you could have had three heaters on in this cold weather or the sun could have been shining so who knows how much you used its up to them to come to a arrangement or they get nothing; nothing used according to your latest reading, keep warm

Edited March 25, 2013 by riolto10

[riolto10]

Could have broken down weeks before last reading did you think your last bill was not as much as you expected?

[Tammimi]

The last bill was £52 which was less than the £110 for the one before, but they have all been based on estimates since the first quarter, I just dont get where their estimates come from? Also if they physically came to check the meter surely they must've noticed if it was working or not?

[riolto10]

Thats the reason no one knows whst your bill could be too many estimated ones, on the point about noticing if meter was working when it was last read the meter reader just wants the reading and to get onto the next house job etc, if the meter reader had read it this time you would have got a bill for the standing charges and nothing else as you said people go away or leave premises vacant so dont use any utilities they only way they can tell is when you inform them and a engineer calls and changes meter hope this helps.

[Tammimi]

Thank you, I think I will keep an eye on the meter more frequently now, it seems to be the best defence if things go wrong. You have been very helpful

[riolto10]

No problem best way is to keep a check on new meter and you can give readings every day week or month on line on the eon site so keep warm till they change meter

[stu007]

Hi

 

could I just ask if this is a recently installed meter at all?

[Tammimi]

It was installed 2006.

[riolto10]

Just a point most new meters start at 00000 or99999 so check the start reading if they install a new one.

[riolto10]

Is your meter indoors or outside ?

[Tammimi]

Outdoors. Round the side where my neighbour parks his car.

[riolto10]

So they could have got actual reading in november without you knowing and the weather could have damaged the meter, anyway balls in eons court take picture of meter reading at present in case they come up with a reading after meter replaced thats not what it is now.

[Tammimi]

Hmm they could have but we taped the door after it blew off in stormy weather last July and the tape was still stuck fast so im a little sceptical of their November reading. Thank you for the photo advice I will take one tomorrow.

[riolto10]

Keep us informed and if you need any advice just ask

[dx100uk]

can i suggest you await the e-on rep to pop in?

 

we have them here and they are very good at sorting issues

 

i've alerted the rep

so see what the morning brings.

 

dx

[E.ON Company Rep: Malc]

Hi Tammimi

 

This looks very much like a stopped meter.

 

We've a specialist stopped meter team who deal exclusively with this sort of situation. These are the guys to talk to.

 

They look at each case on an individual basis. They'll arrange for the meter to be replaced and re-bill the account back to when we believed the meter stopped.

 

To do this, we'll go back to the last known correct reading and then estimate usage from there.

 

These estimates are generally based on usage going forward. Seasonal variations are also taken into consideration.

 

The new bill will use prices current at the time the electricity was actually used.

 

Let us know if you think the estimates aren't right. We'll review the bill and explain how we've settled on the readings used.

 

Don't worry about having to pay the revised balance all at once. We'll be happy to set up a payment arrangement and spread the balance over a similar period that the meter was faulty.

 

Sorry for this inconvenience Tammimi but hope this explains what happens in theses cases. Let me know if you need any more info as will be glad to help.

 

Malc