Why Redundant Meters Are Costing You Money – And How to Get Them Removed
If you’ve ever had multiple energy meters installed in your property or business, you might unknowingly pay for something you no longer need. Redundant meters, which are no longer actively used, can still incur a standing charge from your energy supplier, meaning you’re essentially paying for nothing. In this blog, we’ll break down why redundant meters can cost you money, the process of removing them, and how Kilowatt Connect can help guide you.
What Are Redundant Meters?
Redundant meters are energy meters that are no longer in use. This could happen if you’ve changed your setup – for example, moving from a dual-meter system to a single-meter, or if you’re no longer using an electricity supply that was originally set up for a specific purpose, such as a separate meter for a workshop or annexe.
The key issue here is that, even if these meters aren’t recording any usage, energy suppliers often continue to charge a standing charge – a fixed daily fee that covers the cost of maintaining the connection. This is a standard fee for all meters, and it’s separate from the charge for actual energy usage. If you’re being charged for multiple meters, that standing charge can quickly add up, particularly for businesses or larger properties.
The Cost of Redundant Meters
For each meter on your property, you are paying an additional daily standing charge, which typically ranges from 20p to £1 per day, depending on your supplier and tariff. Over time, these fees can add up significantly:
- 70p per day could cost you over £250 per year per redundant meter.
- If you have multiple redundant meters, these unnecessary charges multiply, increasing your overall energy costs.
This means you’re potentially losing hundreds if not thousands, of pounds each year simply by having unused meters sitting idle on your property. With energy prices being a concern for many, these extra charges are an unnecessary burden that can easily be avoided.
Why It’s Not Always Easy to Remove Them
While the concept of removing a redundant meter seems simple, the reality can be much more complicated. Energy suppliers are often reluctant to remove these meters due to the following reasons:
- Administrative Hassle: Removing a meter requires coordination between the supplier, meter operators, and sometimes even local network operators.
- Cost to the Supplier: There are costs involved in sending an engineer to decommission the meter, and suppliers may delay this process to avoid those costs.
- Long Waiting Times: Scheduling an appointment with an engineer can take weeks or even months, especially if suppliers deprioritize these requests.
- Reluctance to Act: Some suppliers simply don’t see an urgency in removing redundant meters, as the standing charges continue to benefit their bottom line.
This reluctance means that many property owners find themselves caught in a cycle of contacting their suppliers, facing long waiting times, and not getting the problem resolved quickly.
How to Get the Meters Removed
Getting a redundant meter removed often requires persistence and patience. Here’s the general process:
- Contact Your Supplier: Inform your energy supplier that the meter is redundant and request its removal.
- Request Confirmation: Ensure you get written confirmation of the removal process and an estimated timeline.
- Schedule the Engineer Visit: The supplier should arrange for an engineer to visit and physically remove or decommission the meter.
- Follow-up: Keep a record of all communications and follow up if there are delays. Suppliers may be slow to act, so persistence is key.
- Monitor Your Bill: After removal, check your bills to ensure that the standing charge for the redundant meter has been cancelled.
While this seems straightforward, it’s rarely that simple in practice. Suppliers often delay the process, and navigating their internal systems can be frustrating and time-consuming.
How Kilowatt Connect Can Help
This is where Kilowatt Connect comes in. We understand the headaches involved in dealing with energy suppliers and the process of removing redundant meters. Whether you’re struggling to get through to your supplier, dealing with long delays, or unsure about the process, we can help guide you every step of the way.
- Expert Advice: We’ll explain your options clearly and help you understand how much you can save by removing redundant meters.
- Liaison with Suppliers: We handle the communication with your energy supplier on your behalf, ensuring that requests are processed in a timely manner.
- Savings Review: We can review your energy bills to identify any other areas where you’re paying for unused services or overpaying, ensuring you only pay for what you need.
At Kilowatt Connect, we’re here to simplify this process and take the stress out of dealing with energy suppliers. If you’re tired of paying for meters you don’t need or having difficulty getting your supplier to act, get in touch with us. We’ll point you in the right direction and help you start saving today!
Redundant meters can quietly eat away at your finances through unnecessary standing charges, often without you even realizing it. While the process of removing them can be long-winded and frustrating, the savings are worth it. Let Kilowatt Connect handle the heavy lifting, guiding you through the process and ensuring you only pay for what you need.
Reach out to us today – your energy savings are just a phone call away!
