coin operated meter advise needed

[grizzler]

Hi
Can anyone tell me what is involved and how much it would cost(roughly) to get rid of a coin operated meter from my flat and revert to normal billing? EDF told me I need a electrician to take it off and certify that everyting is ok. Any advise would be great!

[dialect]

hi,
assumiong you pay directly to the supplier and not through a landlords meter elsewhere, you need a periodic inspection done by the sound of it.
Should cost roughly £40 for the first 2 circuits and £30 per circuit after that. If all bonding etc is correct, the supplier shoud not charge you for changing your meter.
Got to say Ive not seen a suppliers coin operated meter for a long time!!
Regards,
D

[grizzler]

The landlord takes the money and pays the bill, when I spoke to EDF they only had one meter listed at my address as well which makes me think that there is only one supply to the 4 flats in the building, what is nessersary to change to a seperate meter? Is it costly?

[dialect]

Not worth doing it via the supplier. could be £3000 to bring new feed in, got to have landlords permission etc.
Discuss with your landlord about putting in a reading only or card operated meter instead. Last time I changed one I charged £70, not including inspection, as I carried one out <2 months previously.
If your meter is electronic try going through the screens (by pressing (probably) blue or grey button) til you come to one that says KwH and see how much you are being charged. My current supplier charges 12.3 p per Kwh.
Have a look if there is a standing weekly charge too, to see if you being shafted.
There are ways to check on a mechanical meter but i cant remember how just now, it has been a while!!!
Regards
D

[grizzler]

That sounds like the solution, So if I get the landlady to get a electrician to replace the coin one for a reading only meter, will she have to be involved or can I go solely thru the supplier? I guess it would be a case of reading the meter, Could I get a smart meter as well? Oh, and i think I may ask her to change supplier as EDF are not the cheapest!

[dialect]

The original meter will not be anything to do with EDF. It probably belongs to her, & is fed through a suppliers meter elsewhere.

[grizzler]

I think that is the case, If so how does a installing a reading meter work with a single main meter? Sorry I'm probably being thick here but I need all the solutions to go back to her with otherwise she won't do it, she is old and a bit dotty!

[dialect]

Easy enough to replace coin meter with read only meter, as long as electrical installation is all in order.
Landlady may still be hesitant about doing it, she may have had previous tenants who wouldnt pay up