Verified answer

Isn't it wonderful to live in a society that prevents Capitalism and competition so that utilities can have a gvmt protected monopoly?

Because they can get away with it. I'd bet some of that money goes to the government, which could explain why the politicians do nothing. The utilities probably say the charge is to cover costs and maintenance, when the initial cost is much less than they charge and they do no maintenance, just replace when broken.

It is probably illegal, or not allowed, for you to purchase an identical meter to use, even if sealed and tamper-proof. Dog in the manger attitude there, you must use their equipment at outrageous rates or have no gas or electricity.

The solution is to use solar heating and build your own solar/biofueled steam generator. Zero heating or electric bills. No profit to the utilities, no taxes to the government.....oops, that's why you won't be allowed to do that. Isn't government just wonderful?

When we had an extension built we had huge problems with getting the gas and electric meters moved to the front of the property.

We had to pay for new meters, new housing boxes, the trench to be dug and filled in, a plumber to re-connect the gas from the box to the house, an electrician to re-connect the supply cable to the house fuse box.

We had to contact one company to organise the job, another to actually do the job, and our plumber and electrician too.

It was a night-mare, and then they have the cheek to charge us for keeping the meters! I wish I was a utility company.

Ring up your supplier and ask for a no standing charge tariff as normally you only have a standing charge for the meter if you are a business. Sometimes the unit rate will be higher tho so you need to work it out if it will be beneficial for you. Normally if you use alot of gas/elec its better to have a lower unit rate and a standing charge but if you use a little its better to have a higher unit rate and no standing charge - hope this makes sense, good luck.x

God all mighty you are being robbed blind, I live in Switzerland and I pay 45 Sfr. a year for my meter, that makes around £18.75, I can only say that you are being ripped off for everything in England

Hi,I have a prepayment electric meter.I cannot understand why there so expensive has we pay in advance.I am thinking of changing to direct debit snag with that I will use more electric.