A BRITISH Gas customer has complained a faulty smart meter is showing they use thousands of pounds worth of energy in a DAY.
The whopping energy bill amount appeared on the display of Jamie Watkinson-Harvey’s device.
1
After moving into a new home in September last year with his husband Lewis, the couple say they have gone through seven smart meters.
Speaking to The Mirror, he said: “One model said I was using £2,400 per day in electric. The app only has electric data for February 13 and 14 now and I genuinely do not know how they intend to rectify.
“As a result of a faulty meter we have been unable to adjust any of our energy habits since moving into our new property.”
On another day the tech incorrectly showed he had used £425 worth of electricity.
The couple said they successfully complained to the energy ombudsman about the service failures for meter issues they have had.
But their internal display remains unfixed and fails to show the correct usage, they say.
Smart meters are designed to monitor your usage showing how much gas or electric you use and how much it costs.
They can also digitally send readings to your energy supplier, and in future may be used to offer dynamic tariffs that make it cheaper to use appliances at quieter times.
Most read in Money
Many billpayers say the devices can help save money on bills as they cut down on what they use.
But things don’t always go right with the technology.
Households have complained about incorrect readings and smart meters not displaying, while older models may stop working when you switch to a new supplier.
SSE customer Adrian Vanheems, 72, told The Sun how he woke one morning to find his smart meter showing he owed an absurd £41,000 for just five hours of energy usage.
Energy companies install smart meters in customer’s homes and you can contact your supplier if you want one.
You won’t have to pay to have a smart meter installed. If you’re offered one, you don’t have to accept it, Citizens Advice says.
British Gas has been contacted for comment.
What to do if your mart meter is faulty
If your smart meter is not working properly, your supplier should investigate and replace the meter if required.
In the meantime, you should continue to take meter readings in the usual way to track your usage.
Suppliers should try to get a proper meter reading at least once a year.
Smart meters can show the wrong energy usage on the display, but still record the correct amount of energy you use with the supplier.
But it can be frustrating to see the incorrect cost if you use the meter to monitor your energy use.
It is hard to know if you are being billed incorrectly or if it is simply a price rise.
Energy bills have rocketed by hundreds of pounds for millions of Brits as the price cap went up 54% on April 1.
That includes a standing charge, which is a daily amount that you pay for gas and electric regardless of your usage.
If your bill jumps suddenly, it is worth checking with your supplier. Take a look at your consumption and work out if that has gone up.
Avoid estimated bills at all costs. Give your provider a meter reading every month and take a photo as evidence.
Suppliers can only bill you for the previous 12 months if the error was its mistake.
How to complain about your energy company
If you are not happy with what your energy firm says, or it does not sort your problem, you can report the firm to the Energy Ombudsman.
You must have complained to your supplier and given the firm eight weeks to resolve the problem.
The ombudsman will then take a look at your case and decide whether you are entitled to compensation.
You must take your case to the ombudsman within 12 months of your supplier telling you of its decision.
Energy expert Tashema Jackson, of energyhelpline. com, says: “There is nothing more frustrating than being incorrectly charged for anything. But in a time of rising bills and high energy usage, suppliers getting your energy bill wrong is particularly irritating.
“They should take steps to resolve it promptly. If you feel things are taking too long, raise a formal complaint. Then, if that is not resolved to your satisfaction, you will be able to take your complaint to the Energy Ombudsman.”
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The Sun Online Money team?
