So, the the whole family was absent during the last billing cycle (45 days out of 91) and "somehow" our electricity meter recorded the highest consumption we've EVER had. Going through the required steps to resolve this is only slightly harder than a thesis on relativity. After the lovely folks at AGL directed me to Essential representatives (yes, they were in Australia...) a technician came and tested the meter and declared it is "OK".
REALLY?
Please explain how that meter recorded 3622 kWh (over twice as much same time last year) when nobody was home for 50% of the billing cycle.
Dealing with the Energy Ombudsman currently to see what will come of it.
Anyone have any outcomes they'd like to share of a similar situation?
As I'm am Instrumentation & Control Specialist, a big part part of my job is auditing measurement systems and I happen to know a thingy or two about these meters, but I wonder how many people unknowingly pay their electricity bill without ever questioning it, and pay tons for power they've never used...?
Swaggie
Silly question.
Have you checked the meter readings?
In order to not pay meter readers, energy companies go by estimated meter readings.
They may have sent a meter reader around whilst you were away and it's just you have been undercharged all those years.
This happened to my mother. She got a refund.
Please keep us updated with you progress.
Swaggie
SubscriberOr the meter reader could have made a simple parallax error.
I once had a 10KW overcharge because the meter reader had misread the 10KW dial.
Regards Philip A
TopicToaster
Since putting in Solar, I've taken to photographing my meter readings every couple of months and when I get the time, stick them in a folder.. I have cross referred them to my energy bill a couple of times, all good..
ChatterBox
We were away for 6 weeks of the billing cycle recently and the meter reader came out a second time because the energy supplier thought they had mis-read the meter. Also, the very reason why we do not direct debit either the Power or Phone charges.
Erich
Fossicker
Spot on Mick! And it will work the other way, as if, for some reason, either they've not been able to access, or you live in an area, where they're only obliged to do one physical reading a year, and then they do estimates, you can end up with some outrageously incorrect accounts. Generally they sort themselves out when the physical reading is done. Well, that's what is supposed to happen! CateOriginally Posted by Mick_Marsh
AT REST
While you were away for 50% of the bill time, did you have the fridge running, the hot water service running or any other power using devices left on, pool, freezer, security lights, etc., Regards Frank.
AT REST
Neighbours using your power to grow dope?Check for stray cords near your fence...
Dyslexic meter reader swapped two digits on the reading? Had that one happen to me once. Worked out OK with the next bill.
My meter is an EM1000 "time of use" and has a digital display only, but it's not a "smart" meter. The errors are from how the unit totals kW's throughout the day, and saves them in specific registers. I managed to obtain a copy from AGL of these registers, and see that when we were overseas we used twice as much electricity than when we were home.
The meter has (apparently) always be read by a person, and they use an optical handheld device to record the totals...kinda looks like a remote control. The totals are correct, and the dude read it correctly, it is simply reading too high.
No "grow-ops" around my place (that I'm aware of), the water heater is gas fired/on demand only, and the heater/AC was off, leaving only the new fridge on....plus a small beer fridge in the garage. No pool.
So, they sent an Essential Energy dude to check the meter, he says its "fine". Unfortunately, an instantaneous test does not tell you how that meter performs over 24 hrs, or 2 weeks or 91 days. You need to place another meter in series and see if there is a difference between the two. But, WTF do I know....
Either way, I think there is noway I'm getting any credit back from AGL even if they just replace the meter. It should bother everyone to know that IF your meter reads waaaaay high, you will have to pay it (or face collection agency visits) and even if you can prove the house was vacant, you will have to pay it.
That, my friends is a large pile of Bull-
(still waiting for the Energy Ombudsman to contact me in this matter)
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