Fri, 10 Jul 2026 02:52:39 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=24546#Comment_24546 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=24546#Comment_24546 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:16:10 +0100 TheDoctor
this is also easily documented, and provides PROOF that the meter is over-reading (if this is the case) and if NPower do not respond immediately to this then it is Which?, Watchdog, and every consumer organisation under the sun.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=24551#Comment_24551 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=24551#Comment_24551 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:11:53 +0100 SimonH
Have you defrosted your freezer lately and how big is it? If the pipes are all frosted over the efficiency of the pump will be lowered drastically. And freezers usually burn somewhere in the region of 200-500W depending on their size. If it's having to kick in all the time to keep the freezer cold that could burn you several kWh a day.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=24615#Comment_24615 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=24615#Comment_24615 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:18:02 +0100 ludite
We also keep it in the unused/unheated front room rather than the garage - on the vague offchance that the heat from the coils at the back will assist the temp in the room. . . . . . and because we lost power to the garage long ago. . . . .

Sparky just phoned as I was writing this. He's starting the rewiring of the ground floor next tuesday. . . . . .]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25544#Comment_25544 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25544#Comment_25544 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:17:26 +0100 ludite
bring it on!!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25578#Comment_25578 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25578#Comment_25578 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:09:06 +0100 greenman https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25584#Comment_25584 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25584#Comment_25584 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:30:38 +0100 TheDoctor
sit it in the middle of a cold empty room

attach wires from the 'disused' meter to the legs

point an anglepoise at the chair

tell Mr NPower that he should sit in the chair, and if he is confident that there is nothing wrong with the meters, and you just need a "chat" then he should be happy to do so.

a crazed look in the eye and an axe in the corner of the room would be a nice touch too]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25628#Comment_25628 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25628#Comment_25628 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:13:41 +0100 ludite
I'm almost starting to feel sorry for whoever turns up]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25690#Comment_25690 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25690#Comment_25690 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:08:42 +0100 helen@carms
Ludite 1 Npower 0 : Faulty meter. NPower to give us back £500 pounds, and all spare/old/unused fuse boxes/ meters/ old dodgy bakelity things removed. Off to offy for large bottle of champagne.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25733#Comment_25733 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25733#Comment_25733 Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:06:34 +0100 ludite ]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25743#Comment_25743 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25743#Comment_25743 Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:06:49 +0100 CWatters
See "I think my electricity meter is faulty - what should I do?"

http://www.electricity4business.co.uk/products/faqs.asp#faq24

http://www.simplyswitch.com/faulty-meter-what-to-do.html]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25757#Comment_25757 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25757#Comment_25757 Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:07:29 +0100 Julian
Ludite, I think you're coping brilliantly with a very difficult problem. What Cwatters suggests would give you useful ammunition against npower if the meter is faulty. We used to have two sets of meters as part of the house was a self contained flat. We got two sets of bills (from the dreadful EDF) paid by direct debit. One day, without us noticing, EDf simply stopped sending out one set of bills - although the meter kept getting read. This continued for......five years! After five years (all this time we still received and paid for one set of bills and I have to say we didn't miss that second electricity bill) they sent us a bill for over £1,600! EDF said a "computer fault" meant a bill hadn't been generated for five years and there wasn't anything we could do because we had actually used the power - we just hadn't been billed for it. EDF made us set up a £30 a month standing order to pay it off or they were going to cut us off even though it was their mistake. When we started work on the house we got rid of one set of meters and at the same time switched to Good Energy. So then we were paying a bill for Good Energy power, plus £30 per month to EDF to pay off the £1,600 debt. After six months or so I noticed that, while the debt was going down by £30 per month, it was also increasing even though the meters that it related to had been physically removed! I then received a bill from EDF for power used (through non existant meters...). At which point I lost patience with them (having spent hours on the 'phone to their call centres) and, cancelling the direct debit, inviting them to write to me to explain. I have heard nothing since.

I thoroughly reccommend Good Energy - they aren't the cheapest but all their power is from renewables and the people who answer the 'phone are very helpful.

Good luck Ludite!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25760#Comment_25760 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25760#Comment_25760 Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:32:29 +0100 TheDoctor
Clearly, there is a finite renewable energy resource at present.
Do they control demand by price, turn folks away, or augment their supply with non-renewables?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25769#Comment_25769 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25769#Comment_25769 Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:22:28 +0100 Julian https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25787#Comment_25787 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25787#Comment_25787 Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:27:36 +0100 ali.gill
http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/strategy/page43356.html]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25815#Comment_25815 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25815#Comment_25815 Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:04:37 +0100 ludite
I have examined the bills in detail. I'm reasonably clear with which meter under the cupboard supplies which set of appliances. I heard on the news recently that the 'average household' spends £1,000 a YEAR on gas AND electric. . . . .that factor alone is enough for me to insist that they do some sort of test.

I have to say CWatters, that at no point have npower said they will charge me for testing the meter with a calibrated load, but they have hinted that if the meter IS tested with a calibrated load and it is discovered that the meter is UNDERCHARGING then they will be after me for the difference. . . . . . .

Of course, in order to be after me for the difference, they will HAVE to do the test. . . . . . . . . I am starting to think that their 'test' is a little like the 'so called' TV licence vans who were supposed to be able to tell if you hadn't got a licence. . . . . . scaremongering and completely fake.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25942#Comment_25942 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25942#Comment_25942 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 10:20:57 +0100 marionhaste
Apparently, when you've got one, a kind of obsession creeps in and using a tumble dryer sends the blood pressure through the roof when you can actually see how much energy is being used. Which can only be a good thing.

http://www.guardianecostore.co.uk/guardian/group.aspx?topGroup=382&subCat=159]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25944#Comment_25944 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=25944#Comment_25944 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 10:40:31 +0100 CWatters Posted By: luditeCwatters. Thanks for your advice. As I've said earlier in the thread, this is almost what I had been doing. I knew exactly what appliances were using electricity and their use was not adding up to what the meter read.

Sorry to labour the point but that's not quite the same. It doesn't rule out a hidden load or someone stealing electricity by tapping off somewhere in the house. If you measure consumption for a few hours then repeat that with a known load you can elminate the possibility of a hiden load and be certain the fault is in the meter. This works even if you can't turn everything off and get the meter to stop.

Well ok It doesn't totally rule out a hidden load that switches itself on an off but the longer you run the test the less likely that is to effect the results.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26092#Comment_26092 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26092#Comment_26092 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:26:53 +0100 ludite
I should say that the power outage seemed to coincide with the bad rain we've been having, so we haven't ruled out water getting in to the wires somewhere. but what it did show, was that we are still using a lot of electricity somewhere. . . . . . 4 days to go before npower arrives to check it out.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26147#Comment_26147 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26147#Comment_26147 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:26:51 +0100 Katymac
How is your freezer stuff?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26166#Comment_26166 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26166#Comment_26166 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:36:40 +0100 Albert
If you've never seen Little Voice (Jane Horrocks & co) I suggest you borrow the DVD.

Albert]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26198#Comment_26198 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26198#Comment_26198 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:52:26 +0100 ludite
I changed the fuse on the kettle, plugged it in and the kettle fused the whole lot again and stopped working. Returned the kettle to currys this morning and got a cheaper one on the warranty - seems to be working fine.

Unfortunately, no one thought to mop out the freezer while it was off and so it's solid ice in the bottom - need to do that asap.

Albert. I have seen Little voice. . . .it was filmed in the town where I live. . . . . I seem to remember there was a fire at the end. . . . . . I'm hanging on in there, as we only have a couple of days to go. . . . . . . what irritated me though was grandma asked me on Sunday what I was doing about sorting the whole situation out. . . . . . . You guys know I've been harping on about this ever since we got the bill - and I've been worried about it for months before that!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26658#Comment_26658 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26658#Comment_26658 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:37:48 +0100 ludite https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26661#Comment_26661 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26661#Comment_26661 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:51:59 +0100 mrswhitecat https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26663#Comment_26663 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26663#Comment_26663 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:03:18 +0100 BobA https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26668#Comment_26668 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26668#Comment_26668 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:27:21 +0100 ludite https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26692#Comment_26692 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26692#Comment_26692 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:34:29 +0100 mrswhitecat https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26716#Comment_26716 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26716#Comment_26716 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:37:29 +0100 ludite
Got back at 11:26 and was relieved to find he hadn't turned up.

12:06 FINALLY. A very innocuous/ harmless/ appologetic bloke arrived from 'meter plus'. To cut a long story short, he tested all 5 meters, but said he wasn't qualified to remove the one which read 00000. He can only do specific jobs that he gets in writing.

All he would say was that while the other 4 meters seemed to be ok. he had recorded a 'slight discrepancy' with the meter in question.

Short of holding him down and beating it out of him (5 on to 1 would have been unfair even when 2 are pensioners are 2 are under 5years old) all he would commit to was that the meter was 2.04 - 2.09. . . . . . . but he wouldn't say what, how, why. . . . . .

I asked him what the usual figure was. . . . . . . again the mumbling and skirting the issue (we must make a formidable sight, 5 ludites in a room) and he said it's usually 1.000000 or under. . . . . but he was at pains to say that he didn't know what the variables were and what the company would take as being a bad reading or anything. . . . . ..

before he left he said he'd be calling in his readings "this afternoon, or maybe tonight", so it shouldn't be too long before npower get back to us.

So that's it! what is 2.04 - 2.09????? does anyone know? what does it all mean???????]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26734#Comment_26734 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=26734#Comment_26734 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:38:03 +0100 greenman ]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=27089#Comment_27089 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=27089#Comment_27089 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:58:38 +0100 mrswhitecat https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=27097#Comment_27097 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1903&Focus=27097#Comment_27097 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:13:39 +0100 joe.e Posted By: ludite
All he would say was that while the other 4 meters seemed to be ok. he had recorded a 'slight discrepancy' with the meter in question.

Short of holding him down and beating it out of him (5 on to 1 would have been unfair even when 2 are pensioners are 2 are under 5years old) all he would commit to was that the meter was 2.04 - 2.09. . . . . . . but he wouldn't say what, how, why. . . . . .

I asked him what the usual figure was. . . . . . . again the mumbling and skirting the issue (we must make a formidable sight, 5 ludites in a room) and he said it's usually 1.000000 or under. . . . . but he was at pains to say that he didn't know what the variables were and what the company would take as being a bad reading or anything. . . . . ..

before he left he said he'd be calling in his readings "this afternoon, or maybe tonight", so it shouldn't be too long before npower get back to us.

So that's it! what is 2.04 - 2.09????? does anyone know? what does it all mean???????
I hope it's not the ratio between the amount of power actually being used and the amount being clocked on the meter. That would usually be 1.00000 or under, I would very much hope, and if it was 2.04-2.09 it might explain your problem...]]>