Yes and no. Yes, as it is possible for meter readings to be incorrect. No, because it is unlikely that your meter readings actually are incorrect.
When electricity users question meter accuracy it is invariably the meter that is correct and the user who is incorrect, so if your meter readings differ from your expectations you must consider the possibility that you are failing to account for some usage.
This is even the case when you are receiving different data from a third-party energy monitoring device (e.g. a Powerpal or a SolarEdge), because consumer-grade devices are more prone to error than industry-grade electrical meters. This is because industry-grade meters that are used for billing purposes are strictly regulated, highly sophisticated, and constantly monitored devices. Consumer-grade meters, on the other hand, are not.
What should I do if I suspect my meter reads may be wrong?
If you suspect that your meter readings may be incorrect, take a two-step approach. First, self-investigate the matter. Later, present your evidence to our customer service team for assistance.
A thorough self-investigation is critical to a swift resolution. It is very difficult to troubleshoot meter readings without the full support of the end-user, as only the end-user knows the 'who, what, when, where, and why' of how energy is used on-site.
How can I self-investigate my meter readings?
When you self-investigate your meter, do the following in order:
- confirm your NMI (National Meter Identifier) and meter number(s),
- list every electrical device on your site, and
- troubleshoot the energy use of every electrical appliance.
First, confirm your NMI (National Meter Identifier) and meter number(s). The issue may not be that the meter is faulty, but that your customer account is linked to the meter. You can determine this by cross-checking the NMI and/or the meter number(s) on your electrical bill with the equipment in your meter box.
Next, list every electrical device on your site. Simply thinking through all of the devices that operate on-site can help clarify where energy is being used, as you may have forgotten something like a hot water system that operates 'out of sight, out of mind.'
Next, troubleshoot the energy use of every electrical device. You can do this in a variety of ways depending on what is convenient to you. One option is to turn off every single electrical device at your property for 1-2 days (e.g. over the weekend) and review your daily meter data after. If the data shows energy being used you either failed to turn everything off, your meter is not measuring what you thought, or it is faulty.
Another option is to measure the energy being used by your devices by placing smart power plugs between your electrical sockets and your electrical devices. Like other third-party devices these are not as accurate as industry-grade meters, but if you progressively move these devices around your property you will get a sense for exactly how much energy your devices are using and this may provide the evidence you need to determine what is the driver of your readings.