When and how to replace your electric meter?

The time may come when a consumer wishes to change their electricity meter, but sometimes this is imposed by the system operator. Let’s take a look at the applicable circumstances and reasons.

Index

• Why request a new electric meter?
• Contact the DSO to perform an installation
• How does the change take place?
  1. Replacement of an old or defective meter
  2. Replacement of a meter at the request of the customer
• How much does it cost to change an electric meter?
• In these cases, it’s pointless changing your energy meter!

If you wish to replace your electric meter, you have probably asked yourself lots of questions. Who to contact?  What steps to follow? The cost of the operation? Don’t worry, here are the answers!

Why request a new electric meter?

One of the reasons that could push you to change electric meter is a malfunction. As it approaches retirement age, at about 35 years of age, it can start to idle. If this allows consumers to receive a lower energy bill than their actual consumption, it is actually not good news. Indeed, they must pay the difference when the meter is replaced and the bill is then usually quite hard to swallow.

In addition, there is no point in hoping for the installation of a meter with this kind of anomaly: the distribution system operators (DSOs) systematically replace defective or obsolete devices. In the latter case, it is even a legal obligation. In other words, an old meter, even if it still works properly, will be withdrawn if it no longer meets the requirements set by the FPS Economy. This is in order to ensure the accuracy of consumption readings.

Is this systematic replacement really for the benefit of the consumer? Indeed, a failed meter can also lead to an error that directly affects them negatively. If the unit displays, for example, too high a reading, the consumer will receive an exorbitant energy bill. And in such a case, it is still reassuring to be able to resolve the problem easily and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Besides, a malfunctioning meter is not the only situation that leads to the replacement of the meter. It can also be done on the initiative of the customer who wants a new meter for whatever reason. For example, because after calculating, they realize that taking advantage of would benefit them.