HELP: Damaged meter boxes

2 years ago

Hi, need your guidance on how to get these done, as my energy provider just directed me round and round with no clear outcome.

I have 2 recessed meter boxes (1 for gas and 1 for electricity), flushed to the wall, that are damaged. The energy provider's smart meter engineer came and refused to install smart meters for my property, due to the damaged meter boxes; and he said he'll only come back after I sorted out the meter boxes.

But my provider has affirmed that they will not replace the boxes for me, and they also cannot point to the right direction of how to get these done (but instead directed me to get a local tradesman).

However the smart meter's engineer has clearly told me that this is not a job of a private tradesman, and needs to be done properly (for safety concerns).

Confused... and hence need some advice on the above matter; otherwise, I'll never be able to install the recommended smart meters in my house.

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Comments (7)

Sonia
2 years ago
You say the meters are damaged, in what way? Do they still function? If they function you do not have to have smart meters, “dumb” meters still do the job. Smart meters mean you no longer have to read your meter and you will get a little box that shows the energy you are using each day etc but they’re not essential. Could you ask another provider?
minnie101
2 years ago
Have you tried your network operators rather than suppliers? Mine comes under UK Power Networks for electric for example and they can provide details of trades people although i think some boxes are easy to change yourself and can be sourced online.

You don't have to have a smart meter (although all energy suppliers have to offer this to customers) but typically the advantage is a much lower tariff. I've got an issue with my gas meter location which means I can’t switch annoyingly unless i think of a plan b

the operator can also turn off the supply (if needed) to switch the box

https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/electricity/replace-meter-box
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Brev
Original Author
2 years ago
Hi Sonia, it's the exterior meter box housings that are damaged, not the meters themselves.

Thanks Minnie101 for the info. I have checked how they are put together, and couldn't DIY without removing the meters and all the bits first, I'll try to contact UK Power Networks; hope this is not going to be a very costly job to just replace the boxes (if it is in the order of a few thousands pounds, I'll just forget it!).

Also anyone has any idea who to contact for the gas meter's box housing? Now I start to wonder how homeowners actually get them replaced; or simply ignored as they are just too complicated to meddle with.
minnie101
2 years ago
Type your postcode on here and it will tell you

Hopefully they’d be fairly cheap to replace?

Are you on nextdoor or a local facebook etc as hopefully others will have had them replaced?

https://www.energynetworks.org/operating-the-networks/whos-my-network-operator
Brev
Original Author
2 years ago
Good idea... I'll try nextdoor as well.

Many thanks for your advice.
Lisa D
2 years ago
If you don’t get it sorted, refer your energy supplier to the ombudsman… they are so frustrating to deal with, I found this moved them along (although also a slow process)
Brev
Original Author
2 years ago
Yes... that's a good tip!

I have never thought of that.

HELP: Damaged meter boxes

Comments (7)

Sonia

minnie101

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HELP: Damaged meter boxes

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