British Gas can’t read our meter.

Both my meters were changed for smart meters a few years ago and are outside. The gas meter is at ground level which is not ideal for me at the moment. I had an in house monitor until the beginning of last month when it stopped working. Ovo keep promising to send a new one, but apparently they can’t get hold of them, so until they do, they have asked me to read my meters and send the readings in.

Lovetopaint037, my gas meter is in the most awkward place in the far corner of my under-the-stairs cupboard (near the bottom step) and I, too, have trouble crawling in to read it every month. I've found that putting on the little light and taking a photo on my mobile is the only way to do it!

My meters are both outside so the reader does not need to notify us or make an appointment. Someone came last October - they were on the cctv. No doubt they will be along again soon.

I am sending monthly reading to Eon at the moment - mostly my nephew just pops out and photographs them with his camera then emails them to me. I dont really want to be going out there to read the things on cold winter days.

biglouis thank you for that. They have sent someone twice. The first a few months ago but sent texts saying which company they were from. They appear to be French and very pleasant. However after the first visit they kept sending us requests for reading our electricity and gas. We sent these but someone came a couple of weeks ago and we were pleased as the gas was difficult to read as on the floor well into the under stairs cupboard. However, we were not down as gas customers on his records. He could only read the electricity! He was very apologetic and checked our meter numbers etc.

AreWeThereYet

^Also our eighty plus old bodies are not that good at crawling into back of the under stairs cupboard to read the gas meter with ever failing eye sight.^

Are you able to get close enough to take a picture with a phone? You can then enlarge it so you can read it. You can also sent the pics to British Gas I think.

Thank you. That is a good idea. Will be having a go at that and also proof that we are sending the correct reading.

I would be very wary of letting an unsolicited visiter into my home if they came without warning and claimed to be from a utility company. The advice from police is to refuse entry and fix a time for them to come back when you can have a friend or relative present. Ive had people claiming to be from BG try to scam their way into my home. I would not allow them entry and told them to get their depot to send an appointment letter. None ever arrived.

Fortunately my meters are outside so I dont need to open the door in the event that a person needs to read them. My understanding is that an agency now sends people to do readings for several companies and they should have ID.

I am with Eon and had smart meters install not long after I moved here 3 years ago. They did send a man to read them the first time this year but refused him entry as smart meters don't need to be read plus they are in my hall. I phoned Eon and was told my meters don't need reading as they get the reading via the meters. They didn't send anyone.

So be careful and always check with your energy company to see if they have sent someone before letting them in.

Also our eighty plus old bodies are not that good at crawling into back of the under stairs cupboard to read the gas meter with ever failing eye sight.

Are you able to get close enough to take a picture with a phone? You can then enlarge it so you can read it. You can also sent the pics to British Gas I think.

Thank you Galaxy. That has made me rethink the situation. The last thing we want is an updated smart meter which is read incorrectly by BG. Sorry you had so much trouble but hope all is well now.

I am waiting for a smart meter to be fitted after I was unable to obtain a reading from my gas meter. The engineer who came and did eventually obtain a reading, , said I would have to wait until October, as they came from China (why?). This was in May.

I have been talking on another thread about British Gas who have finally admitted they owe us a lot of money after getting our first meter reading wrong. They then refused to accept our readings were correct. I would speak to them as soon as possible it took us a long time to sort the issue out. After my experience I would be taking my own readings or could you ask someone to help if that's difficult. I may be very cynical after our experience but I am now very wary in my dealings with them. Good luck.

Ps So pleased you are getting a new meter. Well done.

Thank you for that karmalady. We have been with BG all along and accepted their offer of a smart meter a few years ago. It has only been this past 12 months that they can’t read my meter. We could do with an update anyway as it doesn’t give much information which the newer ones give. Yes I have heard that Octopus is good. Will have to try contacting BG. Don’t expect it to be easy as it was really difficult just trying to get a boiler service. Seems human beings are in short supply.

There was a smart meter installed here in my new build by BG, 4 years ago and I transferred to octopus, who could not read my gas smart meter. The digital signals are different. My meter is practically on the soil and at a difficult angle. I have to kneel and crane my body to see the reading

I spoke with a lovely person from octopus and they are well aware of the needs of older people, they have made an appointment with me to change the smart meter to an updated one. I am delighted, it will happen early october as they are so busy