Godwin Cachia, Sliema
Utility metering at a cost
Many complaints have been aired regarding the high cost of electricity and water services. They have certainly hit hard most of the working class and pensioners and it seems the rates are here to stay.
The point I wish to make is regarding the hiring of the meters themselves. I pay a rental fee of €204 per annum on the electricity meter and another €62 for the water meter. A total of €266 every year added to the cost of consumption.
My question is, why do we have to hire the meters when they are there for the convenience of ARMS Ltd?
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Paul Konti
Oct 11th 2010, 21:56
If I remember rightly, it was Dom Mintoff himself who decided to increase the electricity meter rent a long time ago. He 'sold' the idea by giving us 100 'free' units; although I am not sure if it was 100. The point is that most people fell for it, not realising that they were being made to pay for a minimum consumption of 100 units! Of course, once the rent went up, nobody revised it - for obvious reasons!
If your consumption was, for example, 10 units, you were indirectly charged for an extra 90 collected on the meter rent. How's that for business?!?!
joe Zahra
Oct 11th 2010, 17:56
Dear Mr Mifsud this week a friend of mine asked me to check his estimated bill, there are only two people living in his house.The old water meter has been replaced with a new one, and the bill read 1423.46 euros when these people only use 07 units a week of water and 9 units eletricity. Please beware
Martin Cassar
Oct 11th 2010, 15:57
Times of Malta
Friday, 14th May 2010
Government 'satisfied' with progress on smart meters
The government is currently in the final stages of negotiations on the three-year project for the installation of smart water and electricity meters all over Malta and Gozo, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said in reply to a parliamentary question by Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat.
He admitted there had been problems in certain areas, where cable upgrades had been needed, whereas in others it had been plain sailing, but the project was not behind schedule.
Dr Muscat said up to 9,000 digital meters had been bought for €180,000 when the decision had already been taken to go for smart meters. Although new these must now be sold as second-hand.
Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt, who at the time was the Cabinet minister responsible for Enemalta Corporation, said the system had been one of supply on demand by contract.
My questions:
I do not have a calculator,could any body work out how much does a meter cost please?
Why do we have to rent an electricity meter reader while in a country like Iran Iranians buy electricity meter at 60$. Are we being ripped off?
Constantine Mifsud
Oct 11th 2010, 14:41
Lately they have done away with the meter reader and just send us their high estimates. How convenient. My water meter has been reported out of action for more than a year and I still pay for its hire!!
A Bezzina
Oct 11th 2010, 18:46
Constantine, you better send a lawyer's letter to WSC telling them that you will not be liable for any excess costs above an average from the previous years even if you have informed them. The most likely scenario is that you will be dragged to court accused of manipulating the meter.
frank grech
Oct 11th 2010, 10:27
Dear Godwin,
It is just another money raising racket for a cash strapped government!!!