Electrical fault - who pays?

[keiron12]

I have recently had an investigation into my electricity meter by Scottish Power because I did not agree with a bill. To cut a long story short, I am being charged for using over 100kwh/day despite the fact I live alone and am regularly away. The meter was found to be working within acceptable boundaries and I now face a bill of £5651.93.

Given that it is not a meter problem, I guess it must be a wiring problem and, given the level of usage, think it is most likely to be a fault with either the thermostat controlling my underfloor heating or a wiring fault. The dramatic usage increase has occurred since I had the underfloor heating installed in my living room and, while I am aware these systems use a great deal of electricity, have still seen a huge electricity usage when I have been away and the system 'off'.

What I am asking is, am I liable for this usage when it is the result of a fault? If the fault is with the thermometer, can I sue the manufacturer? If the fault is with the wiring, do I have a claim against the electrician who fitted it?

Many thanks.

 

[i=p/u]

just say get real how can a single person use this, unless you have massive canibis/pot/weed/cack farm you not mentioning.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

You are of course liable, for the usage, as to whether you could sue anybody, will depend on where the fault (if there is one) lies.
You would have to have the fault rectified, and then compare the useage before and after, and then persue whomever you deem to be responsible.
Generally, if the fault is due to faulty equipment you would persue the installer, and it would be up to them to persue the manufacturer.

 

[keiron12]

Funnily enough, that is exactly what I said! A breakdown of the readings, provided by Scottish Power, shows that there was actually a period between 11/1/10 and 24/2/10 where my average consumption was 549kwh/day!! Ironically, I was away skiing for a week during that period!

 

[telectrix]

first, switch everything off and then see if there is current flowing. you might find you are supplying next door. if you are away a lot, have they tapped in somewhere?

 

[i=p/u]

strange 1

 

[IQ Electrical]

Funnily enough, that is exactly what I said! A breakdown of the readings, provided by Scottish Power, shows that there was actually a period between 11/1/10 and 24/2/10 where my average consumption was 549kwh/day!! Ironically, I was away skiing for a week during that period!

That's an average of 100A or 23 KW per hour in a 24 hour period, serious load in a domestic situation!

Your underfloor heating would be more similar to that of a football pitch to hit those levels of consumption!

As Telectrix has mentioned, you're either generously donating or the meter has been misread or has an intermittent fault.

 

[Octopus]

Buy an Owl meter (or similar) and then you can find out what is using the power by turning things off.

Having said that the consumption looks awfully high!

 

[keiron12]

Thanks guys..I have switched my consumer unit off and the meter stops spinning - I'm not supplying anyone else. I did buy an Owl meter a while back, but couldn't get it over the insulation on the wire in or out of my meter- guessed it was a bit thicker than normal because the meter is outside.

 

[telectrix]

Thanks guys..I have switched my consumer unit off and the meter stops spinning - I'm not supplying anyone else. I did buy an Owl meter a while back, but couldn't get it over the insulation on the wire in or out of my meter- guessed it was a bit thicker than normal because the meter is outside.

if your supply has been tapped. it will be after the CU. if its a terraced or a semi, look in the attic.

 

[keiron12]

I actually had a bill, as the result of an actual reading, back in Jan 2010. Because the consumption was so high, I took my own reading, which showed a much lower read and was in line with previous usage - Scottish Power accepted my read and disregarded that of the agent who read it. Due to confusion over the meters (serial number on my bill does not match that on the meter) it looks like the reading Ive provided was based on my neighbour's meter. After Scot Power accepted my read, I thought no more about it, assuming that if there was any argument, they wouldn't have accepted my reading and would have contacted me.

 

[keiron12]

I switched the CU off for 5 days when I was away and there was 0 change in the meter read - can I assume I am not being tapped? I am on the top floor and the only one with access to the attic anyway.

 

[oldtimer]

First of all switch everything off in the house but not the fuseboard look at your meter if it is still spinning away then switch off each circuit breaker one at a time until it stops (also look out for it slowing down) when you track it down to a circuit breaker or even 2 see what they are supplying ie 2 underfloor heationg circuit if thats the case then switch them back on meter will start spinning then go to the room thermostat(s) and turn them down to say 10 degrees then check the meter if still spinning then your controls for the heating has a wiring problem.
Mind I hate saying this but there are sparks out their who are not offay with wiring outwith the domestic fuseboard circuit so hopfully this is not the case

 

[keiron12]

Thanks oldtimer, I have already done this and confirmed that it is the circuit supplying the u/f heating that is at fault. Unfortunately, the same circuit supplies all my sockets!

 

[telectrix]

still think you may be tapped off that circuit.