Client Dont Believe Their Electric Bill

[nick1986]

My client don't believe the usage on their electric bill the house is automated everything sits on standby and comes on though IR probes when needed. The client wants me to check why it's using so much energy the bill is £500 a month for a fair sized house all I can think of doing is putting a clamp meter across each bit of equipment and see what is drawing high current the house is single phase and has 2 distrubution boards I didn't do the original install any ideas? I would be grateful of any ideas thanks

 

[Andy™]

if you believe the meter is faulty, contact supplier who may fit a second meter to check it

 

[Sidewinder]

Put a power logger at the origin and leave for a week.

Take the data away, analyse it to see the use, multiply by 4 to give a typical month and multiply by their unit rate to get the bill.

IF it tallies up with the meter then you need to look at individual loads.

IF not get onto the energy supplier to get a check meter fitted.

Also is the install on a single up front RCD?

If not check the leakage current.

 

[nick1986]

Thanks guys I'm so greatful.

 

[Evans Electric]

Also , how much stuff is left on standby , and why for that matter,  are they incapable of flicking a switch .  How many freezers have they got ?  

Is it a large family using electric showers .  

Just try the ammeter when theres no one in , see what that says.  

 

[Doc Hudson]

Have a look at their bill note how many units are being charged at each rate. Work out how many kilowatt hours of electricity have been consumed. then work out an average weekly or daily consumption. Don't automatically assume there is a single high power item using up electricity. Have a look at the number of light fittings, types of lamps, any external PIR halogen security flood lamps etc. See if the figures do look completely unfeasible for the amount of electric appliances at the property. Has the bill suddenly risen? or has there been a gradual increase? Has their unit rate charges gone up? Have they come to the end of a fixed rate scheme and now gone back onto a new rate?  A lot of power companies have added some very large standing charges to cover their green energy investment commitments.

Doc H.

 

[Sidewinder]

With all due respect Doc, I doubt, that you will get paid for checking their personal energy bills, where as proving that the install is or is not using the electric charged is an income generator!

Don't work for nowt!

 

[septiclecky]

What's he growing in the loft :innocent   :facepalm:

 

[kerching]

What sort of meter are you going to use to check each appliances current usage?......as a standard clamp meter will not work on a "flex"

 

[Steve3948]

What sort of meter are you going to use to check each appliances current usage?......as a standard clamp meter will not work on a "flex"

Modify short lead, plug and socket with live loop out of flex, like you do with earth loop for use with leakage clamp meter.

 

[Blue Duck]

Sidey this power logger you speak of I found one here in the "home improvement section" ?

seems like a nice bit of kit but is there something cheaper us mere mortals may use?.. 

 

[Sidewinder]

Blue, that is a Fluke & 3ph, so for 1ph domestic, yes there are cheaper.

 

[Robin Spark]

What about hire as a cheaper more cost effective alternative, ie

http://isswww.co.uk/hire_products.php?cPath=463

 

[Sidewinder]

Oh, & you can hire them too, try MM via PM or at http://isswww.co.uk/

What about hire as a cheaper more cost effective alternative, ie

http://isswww.co.uk/hire_products.php?cPath=463

Robin,

You don't need a 3ph device like that for a 1ph supply, there are cheaper.

The KEW is a good unit & I have used the hire ones from MM several times!

 

[Robin Spark]

Oh, & you can hire them too, try MM via PM or at http://isswww.co.uk/

Robin,

You don't need a 3ph device like that for a 1ph supply, there are cheaper.

The KEW is a good unit & I have used the hire ones from MM several times!

Never used one before, but that is the only one for hire on iss.  Nick1986  perhaps a call to Megger Mark or Mike and they might be able to hire you something more suitable.

 

[Doc Hudson]

The client wants me to check why it's using so much energy the bill is £500

With all due respect Doc, I doubt, that you will get paid for checking their personal energy bills, where as proving that the install is or is not using the electric charged is an income generator!

Don't work for nowt!

Whilst I appreciate what you are saying SW, I never suggested that anyone would do work for no reimbursement. I read the OPs post that he has been requested to do some investigation work regarding power consumption and their associated charges. Charging for a few hours of investigations and calculations is no more unreasonable than charging for measuring something using a meter.  In principal no different from fault finding, inspection & testing or any form of consultation work. Any type of work can be negotiated at a mutually agreeable cost. At the end of the day it is down to what the customer is prepared to pay for and what options you have within that budget.

Doc H

 

[apprentice87]

This clamp meter will, [apparently] do flex!!!!!

http://isswww.co.uk/ACDC-Digital-TRMS-Clampmeters/Megger/Megger-MMC850-MMC850EN-100-A-multicore-200-A-singlecore/

john..

 

[kerching]

Modify short lead, plug and socket with live loop out of flex, like you do with earth loop for use with leakage clamp meter.

As Prof.  heinz Wolffe would have said......" A velly elegant solution to a problem "

i have one of these as most of the kit i come across cannot easily be unplugged

http://www.megger.com/uk/products/ProductDetails.php?ID=656

 

[Sidewinder]

I have a 1ph N & E break out box, but as has been said for loads that can't be unplugged there is an issue, as there is with the price on the MMC850!

Plus, I have not heard good reports, and it is virtually unobtainable at the moment?...

 

[batty]

You say its a fair sized house. How is it heated do they have any electric underfloor heating? do they have outside lights? do they have dual fuel towel rails? The first thing I would do is look actually what they have electric wise in the house.