slot meter

If you have a disability which makes it difficult to use your slot meter, electricity companies will usually move it free of charge.

Having a slot meter means that you pay for your fuel as you use it and do not have to worry about large quarterly bills.

However, the price of gas and electricity for slot meters is generally higher than for quarterly billing.

In most cases, the industries will not charge for installing a slot meter if you are in 'hardship'.

Both Gas regions and electricity companies can advise on adaptations available for disabled people, e.g. for slot meters or appliances, which can often be fitted free of charge.

(A slot meter may not be practical, for example, with a gas central heating boiler which goes out every time the money runs out and needs to be re-lit when more money is put in the meter.

The installation of a slot meter :(See PAYMENT SCHEMES FOR GAS AND ELECTRICITY Page 6).

If you are worried about your slot meter being broken into, you can insure the contents under Age Concern England's 'Meter Insurance Scheme'(for the address see WHERE TO GO FOR FURTHER HELP Pages 10-11).

Other strategies to 'save' money included joining clubs to purchase essentials which they could not afford to pay for in a lump sum, although being aware of the extra costs of the high interest on such purchases; having slot meters installed to control electricity consumption; and delaying lighting the fire until later in the day to conserve coal: