METER READING PROCESSES

As each building / complex is different with regards to electricity meter type, placement, application and distribution, no fixed process exists for the reading of meters. Such a process is developed intrinsically for each building / complex with consideration of the following criteria.

• Access to electricity/water meters must be available to the IMS meter readers at any time during office hours. NB! No prior notice can be given to consumers as to when their meters will be read!
• Meters will be read on a monthly basis, but with the understanding that IMS cannot guarantee a specific date on which the meters of a specific building/ complex will be read every month. Dates may vary within 5 days of one another from month to month.
• The reading of the electricity/water meter is regarded as proof of the electricity/water consumption of the premises, unless otherwise proved by the consumer or by IMS.
• The meter readings are recorded in writing and these documents are archived for a minimum period of three years after.
• The written meter-reading sheets are used as the data source for input into the IMS computerised invoicing system.

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ELECTRICITY ACCOUNT HIGH OR ESCALATING?

Impact Meter Services conducts an electricity management service for premises to which the Local Authority only provides a bulk electricity supply. Impact becomes the registered consumer with the Local Authority in respect of such premises, and in turn we measure each individual tenant's consumption on a monthly basis and bill them accordingly.

Billing is done according to consumption recorded on the seperate meters installed on the premises. The electricity tariffs are set by the Local Municipal Authority from time to time, and no "mark-up" on tariffs are applied.

Impact Meter Services has no control over the electricity consumed beyond the electricity meter ie; on/in a consumer's home/shop. To ask us why an electricity account is so high, can be compared to asking the pump attendant at a filling station why your motor vehicle is taking in so much fuel. He cannot explain, and nor can we. We simply take the reading displayed by the electricity meter and bill you accordingly.

However, in an effort to assist consumers in identifying causes of abnormal fluctuation on their electricity accounts, the following measures and options are in place for the consumer's benefit:

• Consumers are advised to limit the use of underfloor heating and oil heaters in the winter months, as these are large consumers of electricity.

• Sudden escalations in electricity consumption is often caused by faulty geyser thermostats. A common symptom of this problem is abnormally hot water emanating from the hot-water taps.

• Remember that more electricity is consumed in the winter months due to it getting dark earlier, geysers work harder, more hot meals are cooked, more hot water is used for bathing/ showering and various electric heating appliances are used.

• Should electricity meters become faulty, they would normally record less electricity consumption to that which is actually consumed. However, consumers who would like their electricity meters checked for accuracy, can contact us to do so. Should your meter prove to be faulty, it will be replaced free-of-charge and your account credited accordingly. However, if the meter proves to be correct, a testing fee will be levied on your account.

• In new complex's, it is possible that the builder's electricians have marked the meters incorrectly. Impact Meters staff will gladly check that you are being charged for the correct meter if you suspect that this might be a problem. There is no charge for this check.

• If a consumer can view his electricity meter, the following test can be done by himself: Switch of the main electricity supply isolater in the distribution board within the home/business. Make sure that everything within the unit is off. Then check the meter to see if it has stopped registering consumption. This will indicate that billing is done with the correct meter's readings.

• Although it seldom happens, sometimes our meter readers do make a mistake with the readings on a meter. In such cases the over/under read will automatically be recitified with the following month's reading.