Dear Claudienne,

I live in St Catherine. The JPS sent me estimated bills from January to April 2023. They said that they replaced the meter in May and sent me a bill for $22,522.06. The meter is located on a JPS post nearby.

The June bill which was an actual reading came to $5,999.00 but I know that I have not used that amount of electricity. I paid a portion of the June bill and have an outstanding balance of $1,200. Although the meter was replaced and my account is under investigation. The JPS has now sent me another estimated bill for $29,612.07.

Please note that a JPS technician came to my house in early February 2023 and advised me that they were checking the lines. If there were discrepancies when they checked the lines, why didn’t they change the meter at that time. They did not replace the meter until four months later. Why?

Something is not right because if they replace the meter, why are they still sending me estimated bills. My bills are between $5,000 and $8,000. The bill is $8,000 during the summer months. I live alone and I conserve on my electricity. I want them to read the meter and give me an actual reading. This is wickedness. They have not given me an explanation as to why they are still sending me estimated bills.

SO

Dear SO,

Tell Claudienne has been in communication with the JPS in respect of your concerns. The column has received the following explanation from the JPS for the estimated meter readings on your account after the meter was changed.

“The meter for captioned account was changed in April 2023. The account was billed with actual meter readings for May 2023 and June 2023. Regrettably, the meter reading for July 2023 was not obtained and the account was billed based on an estimated reading.

You [TELL CLAUDIENNE] wanted to ascertain the reason for the estimated billing. Firstly, I want to point out that this is the first estimate since the meter was changed in April 2023. Nonetheless, please note that JPS relies on communication signals to obtain meter readings. So, similar to a telephone, if the signal is weak we may not be able to record a reading. There is also a narrow window of approximately two days, within which we have to record the meter reading. If the signal is low and we are not able to record a reading at the scheduled time, then we will have to estimate the account. However, please note that we have been working with our telecoms provider to ensure a more consistent communication. It is important to note that estimated bills are based on the last three actual readings recorded for the account.

We are trying to ensure that the next bill for August 2023 is based on an actual meter reading. Thank you for bringing this to our attention, we hope the foregoing has provided the information needed.”

We wish you all the best.

Have a problem with a store, utility, a company? Telephone 876- 936-9436 or Cell # 876-484-1349 or write to: Tell Claudienne c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-421/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail:edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.