Power bill story sparks Nova response

Lansdowne resident Les Warrington and his new smart meter. PHOTO/ERIN KAVANAGH-HALL

Before Les Warrington could read about his abnormally high electricity bill in the newspaper, a "bloke" from his power company was on the doorstep.

Mr Warrington, a pensioner from Lansdowne, spoke to the Times-Age after receiving his September electricity bill from Nova Energy -- which, at $840.12, was close to four times higher than what he usually pays.

He said Nova Energy blamed the increase on a "power leakage" and said it would send a technician to inspect the property -- but, after a week, "no one had shown up".

The Times-Age contacted Nova Energy on his behalf, but was told the company could not discuss customers' personal details.

However, the same morning Mr Warrington's story was published in the Times-Age, Nova Energy sent a technician to check his meter. "We usually get the paper about 7am -- and, at 10am, there was a bloke at the door to check the meter," said Mr Warrington, who lives with wife Lorena and two-year-old daughter Johanna.

"I hadn't even had a chance to read the paper."

Mr Warrington said the technician suspected the meter could have been giving incorrect readings, so he removed it and installed a smart meter.

He also checked for any signs of a power leakage -- which Nova Energy's complaints department had already said would not be possible -- and inspected the hot water cylinder.

"The bloke said, 'there's nothing leaking here'. He was keen to find out who exactly had told me it was a power leakage, and when."

Once the technician left, Mr Warrington received calls from people who had unusually high bills due to incorrect meter readings.

Commenters on the Times-Age Facebook page also expressed outrage on his behalf and shared their own experiences, including one resident who was also getting billed for the property in front.

Mr Warrington's old meter was taken away to be inspected for faults, and he was told Nova Energy would contact him within 20 days.

He said his family are "gutted" by both the bill and the power company's response.

"It's made me feel pretty stink. You'd think if you made a complaint to a company, they'd send someone around right away.

"I don't think you should have to go to the paper to get these things sorted."

He says he will stay with Nova Energy if "they come up with a reasonable explanation".