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Meter reading less than last

  • 18-05-2021 10:06pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 118 ✭✭


    OK so looking at my last bill and I'm 300kwh less than the last reading.
    My question is will my bill be negative or what does it work?
    I know we don't get paid for what goes back to the grid so I suppose it won't?
    I'm on the old analogue meter so hope they don't push for new type eeeek


Comments

  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,612 Mod ✭✭✭✭graememk


    DeclanD54 wrote: »
    OK so looking at my last bill and I'm 300kwh less than the last reading.
    My question is will my bill be negative or what does it work?
    I know we don't get paid for what goes back to the grid so I suppose it won't?
    I'm on the old analogue meter so hope they don't push for new type eeeek

    Was your last reading an actual read or an estimate?

    If its an actual read, you'll prob be bumped up the list for a meter replacement (technically the NC6 should trigger a replacement, but sometimes its missed)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 118 ✭✭DeclanD54


    graememk wrote: »
    Was your last reading an actual read or an estimate?

    If its an actual read, you'll prob be bumped up the list for a meter replacement (technically the NC6 should trigger a replacement, but sometimes its missed)

    Yes it's actual. Maybe il just add a 100 this time lol.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,803 ✭✭✭GerardKeating


    DeclanD54 wrote: »
    Yes it's actual. Maybe il just add a 100 this time lol.

    Maybe a typo when the meter reader read the meter. You can normally give them an updated readiing via the website.

    Ring ESB Networks and mention it also.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,458 Mod ✭✭✭✭slave1


    Ring ESB Networks and mention it also.

    Good God no, you are among the luckiest of us, just "manage" your readings and don't give the ESB any excuse to come out and change it, you'll also end up with a Smart Meter which has severe drawbacks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 118 ✭✭DeclanD54


    slave1 wrote: »
    Good God no, you are among the luckiest of us, just "manage" your readings and don't give the ESB any excuse to come out and change it, you'll also end up with a Smart Meter which has severe drawbacks

    Yes exactly what I'm thinking. I give my meter reading online so il just add a few 100 untill winter..


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 302 ✭✭spose


    I had old meter running backwards as well but never ended up lower than previous reading. Within 6 months of install had my meter changed even though no others around me being done. Just stop submitting readings and hope it lasts as long as possible!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,803 ✭✭✭GerardKeating


    slave1 wrote: »
    you'll also end up with a Smart Meter which has severe drawbacks

    what are the drawback of the "smart Meter" ???


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,458 Mod ✭✭✭✭slave1




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,186 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    slave1 wrote: »
    They can't do Day/Night rates and very likely they will gouge 5pm to 7pm with high rates, there is also huge privacy issues

    Thats a bit misleading. The meter sends the data every 15-30mins. The time-of-use tariffs need to be developed by the providers and offered in their packages. The smart-meter itself doesnt have a problem with day/night... its the providers billing systems need to catch up and they are starting to offer that now.
    i.e. it wont be a medium-long term problem... in fact we will have additional tou tariffs instead of the current 2.

    Your other two points are valid but isnt that the point of it? You want to discourage people from using peak electricity where possible as its not efficient to have massive peaks during the day. Most people will ignore requests to avoid peak usage until it affects their pockets, so its a necessary evil, imo. Is there an alternative?

    Data protection is a concern. If the data comes under GDPR at least it has those strong EU laws behind it and I believe you have the right to turn off the analytics side of it.

    I wouldnt be rushing out for a smart-meter yet though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,834 ✭✭✭air


    KCross wrote: »
    Thats a bit misleading.

    It's just plain untrue, Bord Gais Energy already have smart tariffs available with day/night and peak rates.

    As has been stated elsewhere, the privacy concerns are totally overblown IMO.
    If you own a smart phone it likely represents a threat to your privacy that is a thousand times more potent.


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  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,458 Mod ✭✭✭✭slave1


    Okay I can see I rushed that post, what I mean is they won’t do the day/night rate we are used to with 15 hours day and 9 hours night, there is an adjustment to the day section to separate out 5-7pm where specific rates will likely become very high and for many coming in from work etc unavoidable.
    Get em if ye want, I’ll be avoiding until I see how rates settle


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,834 ✭✭✭air


    There is definitely scope for improvement on the rates being offered but it's early days.

    Overall I would expect smart meters to be a great thing for the likes of power users here with on grid battery systems.
    They can surely be set to provide most or all of the energy demand during the short peak window.

    And as KCross has rightly said, peak pricing will help to level the demand curve which is a win for everyone as it will reduce the amount of generating plant and network capacity that needs to sit idle to cope with peaks.

    They will help to shape behaviour in a positive way as far as I can see.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 589 ✭✭✭idc


    slave1 wrote: »
    they won’t do the day/night rate we are used to with 15 hours day and 9 hours night, there is an adjustment to the day section to separate out 5-7pm where specific rates will likely become very high and for many coming in from work etc unavoidable.


    Electric ireland have a Boost rate plan which is almost the opposite of the above, one rate all day but during night rate they have a cheaper two hour period.


    Day: 08.00 - 23.00 22.16c per kWh
    Night: 23.00 - 08.00 11.41c per kWh
    Night Boost: 02.00 - 04.00 6.16c per kWh


    Someone will probably tell me those rates are crazy anyway!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 118 ✭✭DeclanD54


    I'm with energia and they have have night rate but no good to me as on old meter


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,186 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    idc wrote: »
    Electric ireland have a Boost rate plan which is almost the opposite of the above, one rate all day but during night rate they have a cheaper two hour period.


    Day: 08.00 - 23.00 22.16c per kWh
    Night: 23.00 - 08.00 11.41c per kWh
    Night Boost: 02.00 - 04.00 6.16c per kWh


    Someone will probably tell me those rates are crazy anyway!!!

    That ^. :)


    22c/kWh for day rate!.... obscene price.
    ~14c/7c inc vat is what you should be paying for day/night rate electricity.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭borus22222


    Have any of you refused to get the SMart meter in that circumstances? I just got a 4.7kW system and I'm fortunate to have the old meter so considering refusing ESB to change it. https://es-ireland.com/refuse-a-smart-meter/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,854 ✭✭✭✭Calahonda52


    borus22222 wrote: »
    Have any of you refused to get the SMart meter in that circumstances? I just got a 4.7kW system and I'm fortunate to have the old meter so considering refusing ESB to change it. https://es-ireland.com/refuse-a-smart-meter/

    from the link
    Put a lock on your meter box to prevent installation
    and then this

    This website is designed for educational, general information, and support purposes only.

    This website is intended to provide support for sufferers of EHS, and advance knowledge for all with regard to wireless radiofrequency and electromagnetic field radiation (RF-EMF)

    While all reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure the validity of the information given, no warranty is given towards its accuracy. It is not intended to substitute for medical or legal advice nor as a final statement with regard to possible prevention and avoidance recommendations or potential biological effects. No liability is accepted by the authors for damages arising from its use or misuse and interpretation by others.

    ES-Ireland is not liable for damages resulting from the use of information obtained here or in reference to the website links, including links to other websites, papers, articles videos, etc. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of this material lies with the reader.

    We try to ensure that information we post on this website is accurate and reliable, but may contain errors. Links to content on third party articles and papers and other websites are not the responsibility of ES-Ireland.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭borus22222


    I don't deny how ridiculous this whole website is however if that would allow me to keep my old meter and turn in backwards during summer and drag it back over winter that would be ideal.

    Wondering if anyone else has done that here with PV panels?


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,458 Mod ✭✭✭✭slave1


    borus22222 wrote: »
    Have any of you refused to get the SMart meter in that circumstances? I just got a 4.7kW system and I'm fortunate to have the old meter so considering refusing ESB to change it. https://es-ireland.com/refuse-a-smart-meter/

    This is what you need...

    https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2016-11-29/707/?highlight%5B0%5D=richard&highlight%5B1%5D=boyd&highlight%5B2%5D=barrett&highlight%5B3%5D=smart&highlight%5B4%5D=meter


  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,612 Mod ✭✭✭✭graememk


    As your current meter is technically incompatible with solar, (as it's not meant to go backwards)

    ESBN can and have every right to declare it faulty, - wouldn't surprise me if it's part of the small print of the NC6 that's sent to ESBN when your solar was installed

    And just put in a plain and simple meter, no smart meter needed.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,047 ✭✭✭remoteboy


    So, I have just found myself in a similar position. Had solar installed 4 weeks ago. Just checked my meter reading and its 40kwh lower than an actual reading taken by Iberdrola the day of the solar install. Looked at the meter and can see it's moving backwards. Looking at my Solis app I can see that I've used 116kwh and sent back 156kwh so those numbers make sense.

    Much as I love the idea of getting something for nothing I don't fancy the bill when they realise what's happened and start charging retrospectively. Is the simplest thing to do to let them know what's happened and request a day night meter? - don't want to get into smart metering just yet and will be charging my EV overnight so night rates would make sense for me.

    The other complication is that I'm out of contract with Iberdrola in 4 weeks time and don't want to accidentally trigger a new contract. I'll be looking to switch to Airtricity to take advantage of the deal they're offering new VW owners.



  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,612 Mod ✭✭✭✭graememk


    Hold fire on the day night until you switch provider.


    You'll easily be able to "balance" the meter when you have an ev. Get back into positive, then switch suppliers, then go day night if it makes sense



  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,458 Mod ✭✭✭✭slave1


    Hold onto that meter, don't worry about it, you're not doing anything "wrong".



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 589 ✭✭✭idc


    Why do you say they are not doing anything "wrong"? From the suppliers point of view you are receiving electricity from the grid and not paying for it. For instance looking at electric irelands terms and conditions

    f) If You have used electricity without permission or committed theft of electricity.

    From there point of view you are stealing electricity. You've used elecriticity from the grid that you have not paid for. Just because you've given the grid equal or more back doesn't make any difference, almost none of the irish suppliers allow for net metering. I've now heard of a few people who have all been in this scenario and been contacted to replace meters which run backwards.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,186 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    I wont put words in slave1's mouth here... but as long as you have submitted your NC6 form to Eirgrid when you connected your SolarPV then you are doing nothing wrong.


    Its up to Eirgrid to process that NC6 form and come and change your meter if they wish. If they dont bother then thats their problem... no onus on the owner to chase Eirgrid to do their job.

    If your provider notices a negative reading then they will, of course, get onto Eirgrid to swap your meter asap as it is in their interest to do so... until then I'd leave well enough alone (again assuming you've sent in your NC6 form).



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,047 ✭✭✭remoteboy


    TBF I haven’t actually submitted anything. The installer is claiming directly so they’re looking after getting all the documents together and uploaded into the system.

    In terms of stealing electricity, I am kinda uncomfortable with the whole thing. I’d rather everything was done fair and square hence the question on the day night meter.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,186 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    If you are applying for the SEAI grant your installer will have to show that they have submitted the NC6 form. I'd be surprised if that document has not been submitted (or about to be) already. The electrician would/should not power up the system until he has sent that to Eirgrid and since that was 4 weeks ago I bet its done/submitted already. Then again you could have a cowboy installer! :)


    A quick phone call to your installer will answer that and that is all you have to do. That is telling Eirgrid you have Solar and it is then their responsibility to followup on that. You cant be expected to chase Eirgrid. You're not stealing anything as long as you (or your installer) submit that form. Get that confirmed.



  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,612 Mod ✭✭✭✭graememk


    It's ESB Networks not eirgird.


    Eirgird does the really big infrastructure, managing the grid. They dont really deal with public/businesses,


    esb Networks does the metering/connections/customer facing stuff etc

    But like said above, your installer submits the NC6, it's up to the ESBN to deal with it



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 54 ✭✭lightson


    I have old meter and panels 6 months now. Got a letter few weeks ago saying they would be changing meter soon. Today got a phone call saying they were in my area and would change meter. I said I wasn’t bothered didn’t need one and they on phone said grand I’ll take you off the list. So I was surprised and relived as I like how the old meter works 😎.

    wondering now in future could they force me and charge me for smart meter and say you said you didn’t want it when it was free?



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  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,612 Mod ✭✭✭✭graememk


    Meter is owned by esb, they can't charge you for changing it, even down the line.


    They could come and say it's faulty, and replace it with a normal one, not a smart one



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,243 ✭✭✭irishchris


    No they won't charge you at any stage for it. Apart from the fact that we are all paying for the smart meters in our pso levy already for the next ten years whether you have one or not



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,748 ✭✭✭kabakuyu


    Took out my 1995 (yr of manufacture)meter and changed it for a 2002 meter,said 1995 meter went backwards(it did'nt and installer confirmed same)and insisted it was changed 2 weeks ago.



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Got a day/night meter last year. Was installed foc but was told I I swap back it would cost me to get it done



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,931 ✭✭✭daheff


    What are the pros/cons of having a smart meter?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,469 ✭✭✭MAULBROOK


    Do your homework but all i see is cons for me right now there are no pros.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,931 ✭✭✭daheff


    Have to say I can't see any pros on this.

    Extra high tarriff at peak times. Most people can't get around that. Low cost at night....not real use to me other than maybe charge car at night occasionally. Can't exactly cook the dinner at 2am and have a shower.


    Great if you work shift, but your average person it doesn't work.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,394 ✭✭✭✭the_amazing_raisin


    Even the cheapest night rate on a smart meter is more expensive than the old day/night meter

    I read somewhere it's to do with grid charges, they're higher at night for the smart meters so the same discounts can't be offered

    The advantage is when you have an EV or solar PV with batteries. In theory once there's a feed in tariff you can sell any excess back to the grid and ensure anything you pull from the grid is used to charge batteries so you can use it anytime

    "The internet never fails to misremember" - Sebastian Ruiz, aka Frost



  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,612 Mod ✭✭✭✭graememk


    Yeah until October they are being charged the same as a normal 24 hr meter,


    After oct smart meter unit rates are the same as day night.. we shall see if they actually change any rates though. Wonder what supplier will blink first.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10 toolshead


    Thanks, thats handy to know. Ive read similar stories online so its good to get a confirmation.



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