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Electricity meter still recording high usage (20 kWh/day) even when fuse box is completely off

  • March 31, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 44 views
V
Rank 1

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice because something doesn’t seem right with my electricity usage.

I live in a flat, and until recently our usage was around 100 kWh per month. However, it has suddenly increased to around 20 kWh per day, which is a huge jump.

To investigate, I turned off the fuse box inside the flat (old-style fuse box with removable fuses), so everything in the flat should be off. Despite this, the electricity meter is still recording usage.

There is no main isolator switch installed — just the meter and the sealed main fuse. Even with all circuits off in the flat, the meter continues to increase.

The property is a flat with neighbours next door, upstairs, and nearby, so I’m concerned it could be:

  • Something wired before the fuse box (e.g. immersion heater or similar), or
  • A possible crossed meter / shared supply issue

Has anyone experienced something similar or know what could cause this?

Any advice on what to check next or how to confirm the source would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

3 replies

Blastoise186
Super User
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  • Blastoise186Super User
  • Super User
  • March 31, 2026

Howdy ​@V1lm4 !

Could you share some meter photos please? We'll see if we can figure this out.

Thanks!

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BPLightlog
Super User
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  • BPLightlogSuper User
  • Super User
  • March 31, 2026

That certain sounds like something needs checking.

This might help you to check some items about your account and the meter 

 

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Dylan_OVO
OVO Staff
  • Dylan_OVO
  • OVO Staff
  • March 31, 2026

Hi ​@V1lm4!

 

Judging by the sounds of things, without seeing a photo of the meter. If it’s an older meter it may have started becoming inaccurate and clocking a little faster than it should be. 
 

I’d recommend getting in touch with OVO and potentially seeing about getting a smart meter installed at the property, a lot of the older meters are expiring soon or with the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) Switch off it could also potentially be having an affect. 
 

If all the switches on the property are off and it is still clocking usage, it could potentially be a crossed meter case. You can test this by doing a kettle test!
 

How to complete a kettle test (electricity)

 

  • Take a reading from the meter you think is yours (take a photo of the meter clearly showing the Meter Serial Number and reading)
  • Use as much electricity as possible for 15 mins eg boil your kettle three or four times, turn on the TV and all appliances and lights, use your hairdryer etc
  • Check if your meter’s clocked some electricity usage (boiling a kettle once normally uses 1kwh of electricity). Take a second photo of the reading.
  • If your meter hasn’t clocked any electricity use, then the usage may have been clocked on a neighbouring meter

 

You could also take a note of the other meter readings of your neighbours meters and see if with the power off if any of them remain the same, this could potentially help identify your meter. 

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