Green Building Forum - Meter running backwards!

Meter running backwards!

tony — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 18:54:05 +0000

I have seen old style electric meters running backwards, even had one on my daughter house, the solar generation if not all used in the home spun the meter backwards but only on the units, not tens or hundreds. We did tell them but they weren’t interested. Eventually the meter was replaced on a rolling programme.

Currently I have a small commercial system that is turning the meter backwards, their energy company is threatening them with court action and charging an estimated bill for their likely underpayment.

I don’t think they can do that, it is the electric companies meter, they knew about the solar and FiTs

Any views or advice? Money was taken on a DD but clawed back by the organisation as it was way more than the meter (incorrectly) showed.

It is going to be fun to sort out and must have happened before.

Meter running backwards!

djh — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 20:25:51 +0000

Does the company have its own records of consumption and generation, and with what frequency of data? How long have they known of the backwards-meter problem and what have they done about it? (e.g. have they complained in writing?)

Do they meet the conditions for "At present only businesses with a non-domestic energy contract that meet the definition of a relevant consumer (referred to by Ofgem as microbusinesses) can access the Energy Ombudsman to acquire dispute resolution assistance between them and their energy supplier."? If not they'll need to be prepared to go to court I believe.

clawed back by the organisation

Who is the organization? The company or the energy supplier?

Meter running backwards!

tony — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 08:32:14 +0000

Thanks, no records of consumption apart from suppliers bills and generation meter readings. They suspected that the meter was running backwards during covid when there was generation but almost no use.

They clawed back their DD taken for an estimated bill as it didn’t accord with the meter reading

Meter running backwards!

djh — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 09:40:13 +0000

It sounds like they've stuck their heads in the sand for a long while and now they have to face the resulting music.

Written complaint to the supplier and take legal advice is the best suggestion I can offer.

Meter running backwards!

tony — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 12:09:54 +0000

They are thinking of trying to meet with their supplier and come to an agreement. Can they go back more than one year?

Meter running backwards!

djh — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 16:13:33 +0000

With no evidence, how can they go back at all?

Meter running backwards!

tony — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 17:19:36 +0000

I agree ! the evidence is that their meter runs backwards

Meter running backwards!

djh — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 17:35:12 +0000

Posted By: tonythe evidence is that their meter runs backwards

But that's not proof that it has been running backwards at any earlier time. When they first observed it, they should have reported it in writing to their supplier.

Meter running backwards!

jamesingram — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 15:32:15 +0000

I think any new Pv installation that has an old style meter thats likely to run backwards has to have an import export meter fitted at time of the installation and all readings noted and supplier informed

I remember reading this in some official document, unfortunately I'm not sure which one!

Meter running backwards!

revor — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 15:40:41 +0000

Posted By: jamesingramI think any new Pv installation that has an old style meter thats likely to run backwards has to have an import export meter fitted at time of the installation and all readings noted and supplier informed

I remember reading this in some official document, unfortunately I'm not sure which one!

When I was doing my solar I could not export to octopus until I had a smart meter, the previous one was an old style
rotating wheel type. I scheduled the install before I completed the solar.

Meter running backwards!

djh — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 20:30:35 +0000

Octopus made all sorts of silly conditions about meters and tariffs and PV, so I've kept my FIT contract with Good Energy. I have a dumb electronic meter and get paid deemed export.

There's some interesting comments about the issue at https://greengumption.co.uk/2015/11/electricity-meter-going-backwards-a-need-for-clear-guidance-from-pv-installers/ so I think James' comment might be true now, but wasn't in the day.