Smart Meter Accuracy

We have a strange situation with a flat we own. The flat was empty while being decorated (by us) for 3 weeks. We know we used very little power. Yet the bill we got for that period was much higher than we would have expected.

The electricity supplier suggested we turned the power off for 15 mins and take the meter reading before and after to see if it was showing use. However, the meter readings only seem to be whole kWh so it would need to be a big fault to see a change in 15 mins. This aligned with what the smart meter console shows which is about 300W.

Instead we switched it to show Amps used and with the main circuit breakers off it showed about 1.3A. If this use was all day that would be 7kwh per day. Over 3 weeks this would be 10 times the actual bill we got. 

So this makes no sense. Why would a meter show use with the breakers off? And why would that use vary which can be the only explanation for the bill not being as high as an extrapolation of that 15mins suggest?

Parents
  • No the meter is in the actual flat and its a modern (well 2008) flat. I have also checked that when an appliance is on that the readings (on the smart meter display) do actually increase so it all seems correct.

  • But, does it all go the zero when every thing is  off?

    It really should be possible to photo the meter, turn all off, and photo  it again a week later and get the same reading. The meter may be stuffed. that is rare but certainly not impossible.

    Mike.

    You do not need to photo it, but it makes a good evidence trail if you try for some money back at some point.

  • I don't think the current flat occupants would be happy with me turning the power off for a week!

Reply Children
  • Hmm, fair enough, though  they may be happy to switch off and note the consumption when they know they are going to go out for long periods , as if the meter can be shown to be  faulty it could save them a few quid ;-)

    Mike