Clr Victor Penning, from the Democratic Alliance (DA) and a Kensington resident, said since the commencement of the installation of the new automated meter reading (AMR) electricity meters, complaints have flooded in to local councillors.
“Hundreds of residents claim the new AMR meters are registering a far greater electricity consumption than the old meters. City Power has repeatedly denied this, but several residents have compared their consumption and claim the difference in consumption over comparable periods is blatantly a result of the new meters,” said Clr Penning.
In order to make realistic comparisons, residents are required to take photocopies of their municipal accounts for June, July and August for 2012 and 2013.
“The copies must be of both sides of the accounts. Residents are requested to check and supply the serial number of their new electricity meter and the current reading. This information will allow the DA to analyse the comparative consumption and conclude whether the claims of higher readings are true or false. Residents must provide their cellular number and e-mail address and we will advise them accordingly,” said Clr Penning.
Residents will also be asked if the number of occupants at their home has changed over the comparative periods.
Clr Penning said should evidence be obtained of erroneous metering, the DA will spread the net wider to other suburbs and involve organisations like the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) to investigate the reason for the discrepancies.
The help desk will be outside the Pick n Pay. People can visit from 9am to 1pm.
