I’m with a large energy supplier (begins with O) and have what is known as a CT Supply meter. We are a small dental practice and our energy consumption is relatively low. We’ve been experiencing erratic bills and even no bill for six months. I have an active complaint ongoing since January and again since a July with the regulator now involved but they are hopeless.
We’ve suddenly received a bill for July for £5300 and another one for £450 pm when last year, when we took over the business it was about £80-100 pm.
I believe our consumption to be about 10kw per day because I’ve measured the 4 digit digital meter reading many times over the year including intraday sometimes. After a long investigation by the supplier they are now saying the charge is correct despite initially saying they agreed it was wrong after I sent pictures of the reading. They say that my CT meter is actually 5 digits and that a data reader dials into my meter (it’s not a smart meter) and they see 5 digits and not 4 (which is displayed on ours).
They say that our meter reading consumption needs to be multiplied by 10x. The means we’re using 100kw a day is impossible.
Below is their detailed email explanation. I’d really appreciate some help on this because something is not right.
Supplier response:
Your meter is shown as 4 digits meter readings, the 10x multiplier on your meter which means while your meter is showing a consumption of 10kWh, this is 100kWh as the remote meter reading is 5 digits. This multiplication factor is due to the CT supply (Current Transformer) and the meter has been configured due to the expected consumption in your property.
Next steps:
1.Our first step is to perform the accuracy test on your meter and I have listed the instructions below. As discussed, our recommended time is 10-15minutes however if you wish to process this for longer, please do.
Creep Test
Turn off your power at the fuse box.
Take a photo of the meter reading.
Wait 10-15 minutes.
Take another photo of the meter reading and if the digits on your meter are still going round it's highly likely the meter is faulty. We will still need to test it though.
If it didn’t move it is less likely to be faulty.
2.Our next step is to discuss the possibility of a meter exchange, I have reached out to our metering specialist today to ask if a meter exchange would result in the configuration showing 5 digits as opposed to the 10x multiplication factor. I will provide further confirmation on this once I have an update, I have also requested confirmation on whether we can remotely reconfigure the meter to show 5 digits rather than 4 to avoid disruption on your side.
If a meter exchange will result in 5 digits rather than 4, we can proceed with a request for the out of hours appointment on a Saturday as agreed.
We’ve suddenly received a bill for July for £5300 and another one for £450 pm when last year, when we took over the business it was about £80-100 pm.
I believe our consumption to be about 10kw per day because I’ve measured the 4 digit digital meter reading many times over the year including intraday sometimes. After a long investigation by the supplier they are now saying the charge is correct despite initially saying they agreed it was wrong after I sent pictures of the reading. They say that my CT meter is actually 5 digits and that a data reader dials into my meter (it’s not a smart meter) and they see 5 digits and not 4 (which is displayed on ours).
They say that our meter reading consumption needs to be multiplied by 10x. The means we’re using 100kw a day is impossible.
Below is their detailed email explanation. I’d really appreciate some help on this because something is not right.
Supplier response:
Your meter is shown as 4 digits meter readings, the 10x multiplier on your meter which means while your meter is showing a consumption of 10kWh, this is 100kWh as the remote meter reading is 5 digits. This multiplication factor is due to the CT supply (Current Transformer) and the meter has been configured due to the expected consumption in your property.
Next steps:
1.Our first step is to perform the accuracy test on your meter and I have listed the instructions below. As discussed, our recommended time is 10-15minutes however if you wish to process this for longer, please do.
Creep Test
Turn off your power at the fuse box.
Take a photo of the meter reading.
Wait 10-15 minutes.
Take another photo of the meter reading and if the digits on your meter are still going round it's highly likely the meter is faulty. We will still need to test it though.
If it didn’t move it is less likely to be faulty.
2.Our next step is to discuss the possibility of a meter exchange, I have reached out to our metering specialist today to ask if a meter exchange would result in the configuration showing 5 digits as opposed to the 10x multiplication factor. I will provide further confirmation on this once I have an update, I have also requested confirmation on whether we can remotely reconfigure the meter to show 5 digits rather than 4 to avoid disruption on your side.
If a meter exchange will result in 5 digits rather than 4, we can proceed with a request for the out of hours appointment on a Saturday as agreed.
