Electricity Meters

I just went to read my electricity and gas meters yesterday, because I don't like 'estimated' bills.
The gas meter was fine, as usual, but to my surprise and confusion, the electric meter had nothing at all on the little window. It was completely blank. It looks like it has conked out, yet I seem to have power working normally indoors.

Trying to report it over the weekend has been a flippin' joke, British Gas don't work on Sundays apparently. I then tried to e.mail but its one of those stupid things that gives you even more 'options' than the phone does, and not one of them was relevant to the problem.
Eventually I have sent it as a Complaint, which it isn't really, but nothing else was appropriate either!

Anyone any idea why a meter dies? I have no idea how long its not been working either, because it's not something I look at daily, I just read them quarterly normally.

Re: Electricity Meters

Im guessing its a digital meter Mups, and as such can be subject to failure, it would not stop your electricity supply but wont be recording your usage, by the way it could also be a mechanical failure if its not digital. All machines can break down, so i feel that is all it is. However keep at the supplier to get out and replace it asap, its their kit and their responsibility.

Re: Electricity Meters

Thanks Nom. I'll try again today, but I don't expect to get any sense out of them on Bank Holiday, so might have to leave till Tuesday.
If they think this is a good excuse to fit a Smart Meter, they'd better think again!

Re: Electricity Meters

I think it sounds like what Nom has said. Glad you're still getting a supply.

Re: Electricity Meters

Mups just watch what they try to charge you for the usage. Ours did that and they tried to say we had used a huge sum of electric, luckily we read ours weekly so had reported it fairly quickly but they did try it on before they realised we knew what we used.

Re: Electricity Meters

Mups my electricity supplier (OVO) is not the same company as those who maintain my supply (Western Power).

It is worth checking, you should have a 24 hour emergency number on your bills also informing you of who is responsible for maintenance.

Re: Electricity Meters

Thanks Meg, but I already rang Western Power, and they told me the meters are BG's property.
It'll be interesting to see how much they are going to estimate my bill at this quarter without a meter!

Re: Electricity Meters

It isn't broken, it is in power saving mode. it is like a screen saver that goes blank to save power, there should be a red button to press, which will bring the screen back.

Re: Electricity Meters

There is no red button Jimmy, I already looked for something like that.
It's never done it before in the 8 years I've lived here.
I phoned them today and they are supposed to be sending someone out, so we'll see what they say.

A few weeks ago I had a faulty socket that tripped the RCD switch off, and I'm wondering if that was anything might have been anything to do with it?
Thanks for trying to help though.



P.S. Just got a call from British Gas. They will come and fit a new meter on 1st June. Hope I don't have to pay for it?

Re: Electricity Meters

At least your minds at rest, i wouldn't think you would have to pay for it, as it belongs to them, so don't worry it'll be ok