Insane Electricity Bill! 23K

scissorspaperrock on 10/07/2018 - 20:15
Last edited 14/07/2018 - 22:14

Ok, going to try and keep this simple with facts, but this has been an ongoing saga, different issue, but really one in the same..

Facts:
* House, rural NSW
* Provider Origin Electricity
* Meter - Connects to a single waterpump on river

Ok ill get this started by saying i have had 2 EWON complaints in so far trying to get issues sorted.

1st & 2nd Issue. They won't read the meter

Reason : Energy Australia installed it high up on a post (They used to read it before they decided to outsource their meter readers)

Why : Because its next to a river, and for access to water during a fire. They told me to install it on the ground where they can read it…… they are very smart installing it on the ground next to a river, 20k's downstream from a major dam…

The pump is used maybe once a month to push water to the the water tanks (Primary Tank, which gravity feeds the house tank / well) - House is currently, not even occupied…

So trying to get the meter read has been near impossible, they advise they don't carry ladders with them…

They want us to pay for a smart meter even though its on their electricity pole, which they installed, but thats a separate issue.

Today i recieved a bill backdated for close to 3 years (Yes according to EWON, 9 months maximum unless meter access dispute)

Now to quickly summarise the bill (Note the 2 actuals)

$3,122.90 CREDIT (9th Dec 2015 March 2018)

Amount Due $22,726.99

(only 2 actual readings in past 3 years)
Decemember 2015 : 25479
March 2018 : 12026

(Yes they have advised we Spun the meter around!!)

Seriously, what can we do, for the past 18 months we have been fighting to get the meter read, to no avail.

I will be travelling now 200k's on Saturday to just read the meter myself (Yes major PITFA).

What i believe…
We have used a total of 12026 since the meter was installed. The previous reading was incorrect.

*** What would you do? (Solar pump wouldn't work due to trees covering the area, and the small deer trail access to the river)

Edit: Ill upload the bill for all to see, just need to redact some information.

Copy of the recent bill…
https://imgur.com/a/96tC7xG

And here is the photos as requested.

https://imgur.com/a/WhUZsyf

Poll Options

  • 1
    Pay the Bill
  • 40
    Ombudsman Again
  • 18
    Legal Options
  • 5
    Eneloop's Powered Pump
  • 18
    A Current Affair
Home & Garden

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2018 - 20:57
    +5

    How much meth?

  • airal3rt on 10/07/2018 - 21:01
    +6

    Your neighbours have a pretty hectic cannabis grow op set up.. but they fu cked up the electricity bypass and hooked it up to your property instead.

    • scissorspaperrock on 10/07/2018 - 21:02
      +1

      Hahaha, yeah only issue is you would be running cabling around a kilometre to the nearest property, but I think your onto something here :P

  • donga100 on 10/07/2018 - 21:17
    -3

    Just pay it. Not worth the hassle.

    • serpserpserp on 10/07/2018 - 21:26
      +4

      lol

    • poboy on 10/07/2018 - 21:35
      +2

      Just drop 23 large and wait for the next bill. Kick in another 23 large and chalk it up to life?

    • subywagon on 10/07/2018 - 23:47
      +2

      lol you must be a sales persons dream

    • Illian on 11/07/2018 - 15:18
      -1

      Strange, I didn't see the /s you clearly forgot.

  • Davo1111 on 10/07/2018 - 21:21
    +2

    I'd climb the pole illegally and read the meter a few times a month. Then do a few estimations based off that.

    then you'll know if it actually is working

    • scissorspaperrock on 11/07/2018 - 07:22

      Its not actually illegal,

      And to further change things.. in December 2017 the electricity provider now owns control of the meters.

  • JimmyF on 10/07/2018 - 21:24

    March 2018 : 12026

    What is the CURRENT meter reading? Does it match this?

    Had you been taking readings at all in the past?

    I can see how they got to what they did, based on the actual readings they have, the only way to get there is to clock the meter.

    (only 2 actual readings in past 3 years)
    Decemember 2015 : 25479
    March 2018 : 12026

    Any chance the meter had been changed during this period or you happened to take a reading?

    Sadly without your own readings to say otherwise, you're sort of screwed.

    • scissorspaperrock on 10/07/2018 - 21:51

      As I said ill be heading back on Saturday to check the meter :)

      Any chance the meter had been changed during this period or you happened to take a reading?

      Doubt it, its hard enough to get anyone out to the area, let alone change anything.

      • JimmyF on 10/07/2018 - 23:04

        As I said ill be heading back on Saturday to check the meter :)

        Ok then, well as you haven't been taking readings over the years, have no real idea of what the current readings are or usage has been, then you're pretty much up a creek without a paddle. As its a hearsay arrangement.

        Your only hope is you arrive on Saturday and the meter reading is something totally different to what they say the current meter reading is.

        If its remotely close, then yeah :/

        They want us to pay for a smart meter even though its on their electricity pole, which they installed, but thats a separate issue.

        That Smart meter is looking pretty cheap now ;)

        But I'm perplexed, these had been rolled out at no cost to the enduser. So why are they wanting to charge you?

        We have used a total of 12026 since the meter was installed. The previous reading was incorrect.

        Do you have bills prior to Dec 2015 to show what the meter was if you're saying the Dec 15 reading is incorrect.

        • scissorspaperrock on 11/07/2018 - 07:20

          I actually have a photo from the first EWON request, thanks for reminding me.. Now to sort through the photos :)

        • JimmyF on 11/07/2018 - 09:24
          +1

          @scissorspaperrock: To fight it, you're going to need SOMETHING that shows the meter readings they are using are incorrect. So lets see if you can find it and what the reading was.

          So drumroll….. what was the reading and when was it taken?

  • poboy on 10/07/2018 - 21:38
    +4

    If they advised you have spun the meter, they need to prove this. So many things going on here. Good luck to you, it must be stressful dealing with these paper pushers.

    • scissorspaperrock on 10/07/2018 - 21:52

      Not stressed, just over it, I have seriously spent around 40 hours between EWON, Energy Australia, and Origin.

    • JimmyF on 10/07/2018 - 23:09
      +1

      If they advised you have spun the meter, they need to prove this.

      They do have proof from the only 2 actual readings in past 3 years ;)

      Decemember 2015 : 25479

      So in Dec 15 it was 25,479

      March 2018 : 12026

      then in Mar 18 it was 12,026

      The only way to get from 25,479 -> 12,026 is to clock the meter.

    • whooah1979 on 11/07/2018 - 07:04
      +1

      they need to prove this

      Water meters doesn’t roll back by itself. The easiest explanation is that it was done by a person that had the most to gain.

      • JimmyF on 11/07/2018 - 09:25

        True, but we're talking power meters here ;)

        • whooah1979 on 11/07/2018 - 18:17
          +1

          heh.

          the same applies to electricity meters.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 11/07/2018 - 10:18
      +2

      If they advised you have spun the meter, they need to prove this.

      That's not what OP meant, they worded it poorly.

      It reads as though the energy company has accused OP of tampering with the meter. What they meant is that OP's alleged electricity usage has caused the meter to run out of digits and clock over ie 25479 to (1)12026.

  • aoeueoa on 10/07/2018 - 21:40
    +2

    Has a weed farmer tapped your supply maybe?

    • scissorspaperrock on 10/07/2018 - 21:52
      +1

      Nah, too far in the middle of no where :)

      • John Kimble on 11/07/2018 - 00:19
        +1

        But that's the best place to be for a weed farm?

    • EightImmortals on 11/07/2018 - 06:43
      -1

      A weed farmer would only need to power a small pump, occasionally , still wouldn't account for the huge bill and the power company would have noticed the cables when they were there to read the meter.

      • Mombles on 19/07/2018 - 13:34
        +1

        Nah they need lamps. Lamps and temperature control.

        • EightImmortals on 19/07/2018 - 14:01

          Yes for growing INDOORS you would be right, but as the OP said his meter was 20K from the nearest house then any weed farming would presumably take place outdoors hence not much need for electricity.

  • scissorspaperrock on 10/07/2018 - 21:53

    My main issue is, I do not feel like dealing with EWON, of all ombudsman, they are by far the most useless. (Each person I have spoken to there, seems to have no idea on anything)

    Hence at the point of getting legal involved.

  • Randxyz123 on 10/07/2018 - 22:05
    +2

    1st & 2nd Issue. They won't read the meter

    Reason : Energy Australia installed it high up on a post (They used to read it before they decided to outsource their meter readers)

    Why : Because its next to a river, and for access to water during a fire. They told me to install it on the ground where they can read it…… they are very smart installing it on the ground next to a river, 20k's downstream from a major dam…

    That doesn't make any sense ^^^…

    If you're going to go with them forcing you to have a meter installed on a post they can't read you're going to have to prove it.

    First of all, you haven't said the cost of having a smart meter installed. Surely it isn't that much. If that's what it will take to have accurate readings from now on do it.

    Secondly, surely when you got those bills you thought 'holy s*** what's using that'? and hence this entire thing kicked off. I personally would have climbed up taken a photo of the meter myself and submitted a time-stamped photo.

    Seriously, IANAL but get legal help. If you aren't using the house then someone else may well be. For a large 2 story 6 br house my family used 1590.82 kw so they are estimating at a crazy high level.

    Good luck

    Edit maybe this bloke is living nearby after being evicted? https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/382306

    • scissorspaperrock on 10/07/2018 - 22:51

      Which part doesn't make sense ?
      We have a water pump (no town water)
      20 years ago ~ NSW energy or whoever they are called installed a power post, and a meter

      They installed it high up due to "being able to pump water if a bush fire was to come through" and because the river floods. (And it does) Lachlan River.

      Yes we said holy sh*t with the initial bills since meter reading was outsourced, which is why as I stated we have been working with EWON to try and get them to read the meter again. (This only became an issue once NSW energy outsourced there meter reading)

      Smart meter was in the vicinity of $2,000 but why do we need to cover the costs because NSW energy decided to cut costs getting 3rd parties to control meter reading. Our issue is, the pump is like a generator in a off-grid setup, we don't generally need it, but its a must have as a backup.

      I would suggest the fact I have included the bill showing only estimates, since 2015 is enough proof they won't check it.
      Or a quick google
      https://www.cowraguardian.com.au/story/3735578/concerns-expr…

      (This is the region, as you can see 2015 September Meter reading was outsourced.)

      I can attached an email from EWON, advising us to get quotes on a smart meter - "Recent" as they would try and help with the bill. But then this new bill came in..

      Not sure if you need much more proof than that.

  • Presence on 10/07/2018 - 22:38
    +3

    Buy a ladder from Bunnings? Or a camera with a zoom lens?

    • scissorspaperrock on 10/07/2018 - 22:45

      As I said, I have to travel 200k's to get to the meter,
      Hardest part is actually opening the cabinet, we generally use a ladder in the back of a good old brumby.

      Camera with lense wouldn't help, you would have to be standing on the other side of the river (Meter faces the river, 15m~ from the shore)

    • kenneth88 on 11/07/2018 - 07:02

      Or bring a 4K drone ; )

      • scissorspaperrock on 11/07/2018 - 07:22

        We actually have one, we fly over the tanks to check the water level :)
        Pitty it wouldn't be able to lift a 2kg lid to read the meter though.

  • JimmyF on 10/07/2018 - 23:14
    • House, rural NSW

    OP, I'll toss a wild one out there, no solar or generator installed anywhere on this house maybe?

    • scissorspaperrock on 11/07/2018 - 07:16

      Nah, looked at solar, but being next to a river (huge trees) wouldn't work, and our access to the river is along a deer track we own to the river (5m wide path)
      But also spending 10k on a proper solar pump. Generator would get stolen.

  • yoonibear on 11/07/2018 - 00:10
    +1

    I'm not 100% certain with NSW processes (as I work predominately in the VIC market) but I'll try and list off a few things you could try (or pass them onto Origin (OE) to try)?

    1. Have you tried going directly to your distributor? (Endeavour, Ausgrid or Essential) Ask them if it's possible to lower the meter/move it further inland (they might need to work in conjunction with OE's metering co-ordinators?)

    2. Do you know if the reader going out is a scheduled/cyclical reader or ones that go out for next available reads? (Usually I find scheduled readers know more about the area than ones being told to go to a certain area/address). Ask OE to obtain access notes/instructions on the site and how they obtained the read on your last previous actual read.

    3. If it's possible, ask OE to arrange a reader and request for them to obtain a ladder/truck

    4. As part of the smart meter roll out - are OE able to swap the meters over at no charge? If they say it'll cost you - ask them what if there's a fault with the meter or if it's aged?

    Again, I'm throwing it all out there as I haven't worked on NSW stuff for a year or two now and especially with the new Power of Choice stuff that came in recently, everything I've said could be wrong :(

  • [Deactivated] on 11/07/2018 - 00:17
    +4

    Do you have a pressure pump and is it working properly? If yes is the pressure tank at the correct psi?
    How many hp is the pump?
    Is it running continuously at times due to a fault?
    $24 per day would not be unreasonable for a large pump running 24/7

    • DarkOz on 11/07/2018 - 07:18

      Yup, check for faults first. Switches do fail due to wear and tear and if the pumps are running continuously then watch out. You can check the usage dates/times from the bill, right? You will notice the high usage when the pumps keep running.

      Secondly, pay someone who lives nearby to read the meter for you when needed. If it's safe to do so.

    • scissorspaperrock on 11/07/2018 - 07:19

      Submersible, definitely not drawing the 4000w continuous that they are charging us for. Its never actually on. We use a drone to check the tank levels all the time, but since no water is being used on the property. We also know the pump works.

  • chumlee on 11/07/2018 - 06:50

    You are better off speaking with the ombudsman about it. Escalate it further up the chain with them for a satisfactory response. Remember also the resolution you want may not be feasible

  • onetrickpony on 11/07/2018 - 08:19
    +1

    When you get go to read the meter, take a copy of that days newspaper with you, and hold it next to the meter with the date clearly visible, and take a few happy snaps. If you need to present proof of the reading, most energy companies will accept that.

  • BobD on 11/07/2018 - 08:23

    200Ks is probably only 2 to 4 hours depending on road conditions. It would be worth your sanity (and wallet) to do a few trips to read the meter with your camera. May give you a bit more to argue with. Schedule it as a day out. I used to live up country and 200Ks was just a trip to town and back.

    I voted for Current Affair if they'll have you. The heat of publicity may help.

    • scissorspaperrock on 11/07/2018 - 08:52

      Yeah ill be doing the trip, going to build up 2 posts to be able to open it, and the other to use as a "sort of" selfie stick to be able to take the photo.

      The trip is only 2 hours (Decent roads)

      Used to do 200k's a day myself to work.

  • Masterpupil on 11/07/2018 - 09:06
    +3

    Personally, I want to see picture of this meter and its location.

  • myusername on 11/07/2018 - 09:20
    -1

    not growing any herbs in the roof there?

  • HighAndDry on 11/07/2018 - 09:57
    -4

    Today i recieved a bill backdated for close to 3 years (Yes according to EWON, 9 months maximum unless meter access dispute)

    I mean, it seems like you haven't paid the electricity bill for 3 years. Do you think you're just entitled to 3 years worth of free power or…?

    I'd ask for a payment plan. Maybe over… 3 years.

    Also:

    (only 2 actual readings in past 3 years)
    Decemember 2015 : 25479
    March 2018 : 12026

    Go take a look and see what the reading is now. But yeah - that's basically proof someone spun the meter, and since you're the one paying, AND it's your meter, AND it's so hard to access (so not random vandalism), unless you have proof otherwise, no one is going to believe this wasn't you. Hell, even I don't believe it wasn't you or someone else in your household.

  • scissorspaperrock on 11/07/2018 - 11:17

    We have always paid out bill hence all of the credits on the bill I posted.
    How did you get the idea I thought I was above paying my electricity.
    My EWON complaints have been we have been paying too much, since they are only estimates. Never actual readings

    No household is connected to the power. It's in the middle of no where.

    The house is on a completely different meter. About 1 km away. They are in no way connected

    Your suggesting on this meter next to the river I am plugging In equipment chewing $12,000 a year worth of electricity?

  • John Kimble on 11/07/2018 - 12:52

    Might be a long shot, but maybe that first reading was from a completely different meter and incorrectly recorded under your meter, just because the numbers are so random in relation to the second reading, which we are assuming is correct.

    Can you check with neighbours perhaps? Or ask them to check the readings of meters in the same area or with a similar meter number to yours?

    • scissorspaperrock on 11/07/2018 - 13:43

      Yeah will check,

      My honest thoughts in order of likelihood

      1:) they didn't read the meter, they hadn't for 2-3 years why would they change now
      2:) Incorrect Data input in 2015.
      3:) Incorrect Reading in 2018

      Either way i have a photo of the meter from Dec 2016 (With our first EWON complaint) trying to get the meter read. Whilst this won't be classed as proof it will allow me to create a timeline based on probable events.

  • [Deactivated] on 11/07/2018 - 13:11
    +4

    def get ACA on it they love this kind of shit

  • Bad Wolf on 13/07/2018 - 11:42

    Hope you get a good outcome. I’d bet that the 2015 reading was a mistake with an extra 2/5 at the beginning.

  • scissorspaperrock on 14/07/2018 - 22:13
    +5

    https://imgur.com/a/WhUZsyf

    They screwed up, they never actually check the meter

    As requested I have tagged a copy of the picture.

  • scissorspaperrock on 24/07/2018 - 06:37
    +1

    Update: Still sitting with complaints with EWON / Origin.

    Haven't been able to get a further update, they want to re-check the meter… fact is after 2 EWON cases, and nearly 3 years they haven't been able to read it, the likelihood now is zilch

    Unable to speak to anyone in complaints or higher up at origin.

    The bill is past due, but they have put a temporary hold on it.

    So with the last photo of the meter the following has happened.

    (As stated and shown We rarely use this pump)

    • Meter Reading in 2015 (25,500~)
    • Meter Reading in 2018 (12,000~) - FALSE Meter reading, no idea where they got this number from, definetely not our meter
    • Meter reading in 2018 (26,400~) - PHOTO Attached. So we have used 1,000 KWh over the past 2-3 years

    Our estimate before this bill was around 33,000 so the way i see this is they owe me approx 7,000 KWh worth of refunds from the over estimates.

    • So far
    • 3 Ewon complaints: 2 for not actually reading the meter, and this final for a joke of a bill
    • Still no closer to sorting out this issue.
  • scissorspaperrock on 26/07/2018 - 16:49
    +2

    Update:
    Origin wants a photo with a newspaper.

    Told them they can, not risking my body to be on a ladder 5m in the air, holding a camera and newspaper whilst trying to take a photo.

  • scissorspaperrock on 27/07/2018 - 09:10
    +5

    Finally all sorted,
    Spoke with Essential Energy, who has a special team of meter readers who have fixed the issue

    26516 is there meter read, time to be credited a few thousand $$

    • John Kimble on 04/08/2018 - 18:19
      +3

      Congrats!

      special team of meter readers

      I wonder if they act all superior and stuff around the normal meter readers…

      • scissorspaperrock on 13/08/2018 - 09:45

        These meter reader's are allowed to use ladders.

        Still waiting for origin to fix the bill though.

  • scissorspaperrock on 24/08/2018 - 19:49
    +4

    Done and Dusted,

    I have been given a credit to cover the years of overcharging.

    They are going to supply & install a smart meter at their cost.

    FINALLY!, a win for the consumer.

  • scissorspaperrock on 27/09/2018 - 14:13

    Updated :
    Received our new Bill
    $2600 for the quarter… back at using 87kwh a day, rather than the actual of 0.97kwh

    Now to run around in circles again for another month trying to get them to sort this.

  • scissorspaperrock on 02/12/2019 - 00:29

    After the last couple of $160-180 a new estimate of $4,400 has come in…

    • Euphemistic on 02/12/2019 - 07:40

      Man that sucks. And thy haven’t got a smart meter yet?

      Time to go off grid!

      • scissorspaperrock on 02/12/2019 - 19:42

        I agree! but its not worth the cost to go off grid. The pump is used soo rarely, but its still a must have
        They won't install a smart meter, told us too…..

        The worst part its another estimate, they estimated $180 per quarter, now they have estimated over $4000!

        As sh*t as origin are, they only get their information from Energy Australia…

        • Euphemistic on 02/12/2019 - 22:51

          It’s pretty ordinary. You’d think an estimate would reflect the last usage. Ie $160-$180 per quarter. Especially given your dramas and investigations previously.

          Hope you get it sorted quickly this time.

  • scissorspaperrock on 03/12/2019 - 14:38

    Escalated with Essential energy.

    Origin Energy won't allow me to escalate… they believe they can organise a meter reading (They cannot, i did last time with essential energy.) He will not escalate my claim, argh he has hung up on me.

    Attempt number 2:

  • scissorspaperrock on 08/12/2019 - 11:54

    Moved to AGL, 5 Separate accounts, see if they can do any better than Origin.

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