Electricity consumption and evaluation of metering data
The electricity meters in Caruna’s network area are remotely readable. Electricity consumption and production data are transferred to the metering data system via a data transmission connection.
Caruna’s metering data system transfers consumption and production data (metering data), e.g., to the customer’s electricity distribution invoice and to Datahub, a centralised data exchange system. Consumption data is provided to the customer’s electricity supplier and any authorised third parties via Datahub.
You can monitor your electricity consumption and production data in Caruna+ energy monitoring. Today's data will be updated for monitoring the following day by 3 pm.
Although an electrician is no longer needed to read consumption data from the electricity meter, the customer must provide Caruna free access to the meter reading centre, for example, for replacing or programming the meter.
What happens if the connection to the electricity meter is lost?
We continuously monitor that we receive metering data from the electricity meter. When we notice that the connection to the electricity meter has been lost, we investigate the data transmission connection and try to restore the connection. The data transmission connection may be interrupted, for example, if you turn off the electricity at the main switch in the apartment instead of the 0 button on the electricity meter. In these situations, you will be contacted by Caruna's partner.
If necessary, a meter inspection will be ordered on site. The installer will call you, if the meter is behind a locked door. If the meter is broken, it will be replaced by a new one by the installer.
If a meter inspection or replacement is ordered by Caruna, they are free of charge for you.
How is electricity metering data assessed in exceptional situations?
If the data transmission connection between the electricity meter and Caruna's metering data system is interrupted, the system will automatically start estimating electricity consumption or production based on the metering data of the last six weeks. The system evaluates the metering data until the connection to the electricity meter is restored.
In exceptional situations, measurement data can be obtained in three ways:
- If the actual metering data for the estimated time are later obtained from the electricity meter, they will replace the estimated metering data. For example, when changing a meter, an attempt is made to read the meter manually.
- If the meter provides metering data for the moments when the connection has been lost and when it has been restored, the metering data is based on the difference between the two. Total consumption and production over the period is based on the difference between the readings, but quarter- or hourly data are estimated.
- The estimate of electricity metering data remains valid, for example, when the meter is broken and consumption or production cannot be measured or the difference calculated. The missing electricity consumption is estimated to benefit the customer.
When to contact Caruna?
You should contact Caruna if:
- The electricity meter is visibly broken, for example, the meter display is dark
- Caruna+ energy monitoring:
- Shows estimated consumption or production even if no electricity has been used or produced
- There is no display of consumption or production, even though electricity has been used or produced
- There is estimated or missing consumption or production for more than 30 days
How will estimated metering data be displayed on the invoice?
If you have received an invoice based on estimated metering data and the actual data is then received, any corrections in the metering data will automatically appear on the next invoice.
An invoice sent before the metering data is corrected will not be corrected afterwards, but must be paid with the information on the invoice. Any refunds or uninvoiced portion will be automatically taken into account on the next invoice.
According to the Electricity Market Act (§57) and the terms and conditions of online services, billing may be based on estimated metering data if it has not been possible to measure electricity due to, for example, a meter failure or if metering data is not available due to a data transmission failure.
Small-scale production and metering data
If you produce electricity on a small scale yourself, there is no need to replace the meter, as the same meter measures both electricity consumption and the amount of production transferred to the electricity network (surplus production).
If the amount of surplus production in Caruna+ energy monitoring shows zero and you suspect the metering data, you should call in a solar panel installer to check the situation. The electricity meter will not be able to measure the volume of production if, for example, the solar panels are connected incorrectly. Caruna is not responsible for the connections of solar panels.