What to Do in the Event of a Faulty Electricity Meter

There are many different things that households can do to reduce the cost of their energy bills, and many are completely free and can be completed in seconds.

The price of gas and electricity seems to be rising by the day, and every household in Britain should begin taking steps to protect themselves from slipping into fuel debt. There are many different things that households can do to reduce the cost of their energy bills, and many are completely free and can be completed in seconds. Taking regular meter readings, turning off the lights, and putting extra blankets on the bed can reduce your electricity bill, and every household should start practicing these steps. For those that wish to see a more drastic reduction in their fuel costs, there are other things that can be done such as switching suppliers, fitting home insulation, and purchasing energy saving appliances. Even the most conscientious energy user can sometimes get hit with an unexpectedly large electricity bill, and when this happens it is important to make sure that the fault does not lie with your electricity meter. Faulty meters can lead to unusually high energy bills, and it is important to identify any problems as soon as possible.

Problems with electricity meters are extremely rare, as they are built to last for up to 20 years. If you believe there may be a fault with your meter, it is worth performing a few diagnostic tests yourself, as energy suppliers may charge you for carrying out tests on meters that are found to be in perfect working order. Start by switching off all the electrical appliances in your home, and then check your meter to see if it is still moving. If it continues to move even after everything is switched off then there may be a problem. If it stops after everything is switched off, try turning on one appliance at a time and watching the meter. If it begins to move quickly after switching on a particular appliance, then the fault may be with the appliance itself. The meter should start to gradually speed up as you turn on more appliances. If you are sure there is a problem, then you must contact your energy supplier who may arrange for further tests to be carried out to determine if there is a problem.

Your energy supplier may ask you to take meter readings over the course of seven days, and then you will have to call and give these readings to your supplier. They will look for any patterns in your energy usage, and try to work out if there is a fault with the meter based on the readings you have given. It may even be necessary to carry out a ‘standard load test’ which involves testing the meter to see if it registers certain appliances correctly. Your supplier may also install a check meter next to your current meter, and allow it to record your energy consumption for a period of two weeks. At the end of this time, they will check to see if there is a difference between the two meters. If your meter is not working correctly, then your supplier will fix it for you without charge. If there is no problem with the meter, then you may be charged for the tests that have been carried out.

It is worth bearing in mind that around two-thirds of electricity meters sent to energy regulatory body OFGEM are found to have no problem, so do not contact your supplier unless you are certain that there is a fault. If you are still not satisfied after your supplier has performed tests, you can contact OFGEM directly and arrange for them to perform an official test. Once again, you will be charged for any meters that are found to be in working order, so this should really be a last resort. A faulty electricity meter can cause your supplier to overcharge you for the electricity you are using, and you will be entitled to a refund for any money you have paid as a result of the faulty meter. Whilst your meter is being tested, it is advisable to continue paying your electricity bill in full to avoid disconnection. If your bill is unusually large, then pay your supplier for the amount of electricity you generally use to avoid further problems. Performing regular checks on your meter is an important part of keeping your energy costs down, and will ensure that you are not overpaying for your energy.

Sam Jones the author of this article advises readers wanting more information about an electricity meter to compare energy prices and rates, uSwitch is the website to visit.

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