Energy suppliers (I just don't get this.)

[Cobra]

Like a lot of people I guess, my energy supply (Gas / Electric) is managed via an on line account.
I get this email about once a year.


Your meter reader is due to visit soon, so you won't need to provide a meter reading this time.
We like to take a meter reading where we can.
This is to help ensure you continue to receive accurate bills and double check your meter is still safe and in working order.

If your meter reader is unable to read your meter, your bill may be estimated. You can send us a meter reading at any time on our website.
We'll email you the next time we need your meter readings, along with details on how you can provide these online on our website.
Please don't reply to this email as the mailbox is unmonitored, so we can't respond. If you'd like to contact us, please click here.
Kind regards


They claim part of the reason is check that the meter(s) is / are safe.
But obviously are not that bothered, if they can't gain access, (one's in the garage, the other in the house)
they will estimate the bill.
Their estimate is always in their favour too. (no surprise there then )
And the over payments are corrected in the new year.

Yes I know I can ask for it back sooner, perhaps I should,
but again Like a lot of others, I don't bother, its the same as auto renewals,
companies rely on laziness, to keep the business

So why not put the card through the door asking for a meter reading to be declared on line,
if I'm not there to keep things accurate?

OK I can see that some people may "lie" about the reading and make their bills a lot smaller,
but eventually that'll catch up with them one way of another.

 

[viv1969]

I log on to my supplier's site (same company for both), and provide a meter reading once a month.
S'just habit now tbh.
I do have staggeringly low energy (and water) bills though, since the water isn't kept heated all day, heat's not on all day (in winter), and when it is on it's not kept so warm you could cook a kitten.
I'm also a b****r for turning off lights and unplugging stuff.

 

[Cobra]

My bills also are quite low, as I understand it.
But I still don't understand their logic.
And I guess I never will

and when it is on it's not kept so warm you could cook a kitten.

I prefer my saute'ed TBH

 

[Ian D J]

I, too, do the same thing has mentioned in here. Every month, my supplier email me a reminder to send them meter readings, then a week later, I get the bill based on the readings I give them and I pay it off with my debit card straight up, no hanging about where I never get behind.
I changed over to this method a few years ago (it has been quite a while) after I got fed up with direct debits being ramped up to silly heights so that "I'm always ahead" but effectively it leaves me short anyway. And then there's the hard work of trying to claw back the money that had built up. I do get that annual email saying they will check up on my meter readings but I never seem to see anyone (unless they can wirelessly long onto my meters!).
With my current system, I pay for the EXACT amount of energy I've used up, not a penny more, not a penny less and it is a good way to manage my finances.

 

[Cobra]

With my current system, I pay for the EXACT amount of energy I've used up, not a penny more, not a penny less and it is a good way to manage my finances.

That's a good point actually, and one I may look into.
However I do get (Apparently ) a "discount" for paying by monthly DD.

 

[jonbeeza]

OK I can see that some people may "lie" about the reading and make their bills a lot smaller,
but eventually that'll catch up with them one way of another.

But that option may not be beneficial to the customer, how about if the rates go up. It would of been better to pay at the lower rate. If you knew the prices were going up, estimate your bill a lot higher. Then when you do get the new prices, there could be a saving. Would that not be in your favour

 

[Nikon_Nick]

I changed my supplier when I got a letter in February saying that they wanted to pretty much double my monthly standing order because my usage had increased since September...

Hmmm let me think...why would gas and electricity usage increase during the Autumn and Winter months?

 

[Nod]

I always check the reading even when it's not estimated and get corrected bills whichever way the over/under read goes (unless there's a price rise in the offing, in which case I pay the extra in advance but get the future energy at the old rate).

 

[fernface]

I discovered today that "isupply" who i switched over to some months ago, dont adjust my direct debit amount in order to cover my usage. All the other suppliers did. Effectively if i go into a debit situation i have to contact them to up the amount i pay, otherwise my debit amount will just keep on building up. Can feel another switch coming on!!

 

[Cobra]

But that option may not be beneficial to the customer, how about if the rates go up. It would of been better to pay at the lower rate. If you knew the prices were going up, estimate your bill a lot higher. Then when you do get the new prices, there could be a saving. Would that not be in your favour

That's also a good point

 

[onomatopoeia]

They claim part of the reason is check that the meter(s) is / are safe.
But obviously are not that bothered, if they can't gain access, (one's in the garage, the other in the house)
they will estimate the bill.

With gas, if they can't gain access to check the meter after a couple years of estimated bills they start to insist. I kept ignoring them as they wouldn't come on an evening or weekend and the final letter said something like "we are required by law to do a safety check and if you do not let us in we will seek a court order to force entry and you will be liable for the costs."

At that point, I arranged an appointment, although I informed them what I thought of them only doing readings in office hours.

 

[Cobra]

With gas, if they can't gain access to check the meter after a couple years of estimated bills they start to insist. I kept ignoring them as they wouldn't come on an evening or weekend and the final letter said something like "we are required by law to do a safety check and if you do not let us in we will seek a court order to force entry and you will be liable for the costs."
At that point, I arranged an appointment, although I informed them what I thought of them only doing readings in office hours.

Don't blame you in the slightest!

I've never had anything like that, but I do think it was read less than a year ago.
However, all the guy ever does is stick his head round the door with a torch to take the readings.
2 seconds and he's gone.
Hardly a meter check is it?

 

[Nod]

Our meters are both in a cupboard beside the front door (outside) which has a standard triangular meter cabinet lock. Probably by pure luck, there's room under the gas meter (and below the bottom of the 'leccy cabinet door) for a wheelie bin so the recycling bin lives in the otherwise wasted space. Never had a gas leak but the smell of gas is fairly pervasive so a sniff will usually reveal that there is a problem even if it's not obvious where the leak is.

 

[Cobra]

Our meters are both in a cupboard beside the front door (outside) which has a standard triangular meter cabinet lock. Probably by pure luck, there's room under the gas meter (and below the bottom of the 'leccy cabinet door) for a wheelie bin so the recycling bin lives in the otherwise wasted space. Never had a gas leak but the smell of gas is fairly pervasive so a sniff will usually reveal that there is a problem even if it's not obvious where the leak is.

Ah OK so thats why he uses a candle instead of a torch sometimes

 

[andy0306]

I switched to OVO, they have an app which allows you to submit readings as often as you like. I decided to give a smaller company a try after seeing some of the profits they were making.

 

[Cobra]

I switched to OVO, they have an app which allows you to submit readings as often as you like. I decided to give a smaller company a try after seeing some of the profits they were making.

I've never heard of them TBH.
I can submit readings any time I like too, but as above "sometimes" they choose to ignore them

 

[viv1969]

I've never heard of them TBH.
I can submit readings any time I like too, but as above "sometimes" they choose to ignore them

If they ignore your submitted readings, tell them to hoist their bill up their posterior lol

 

[Cobra]

If they ignore your submitted readings, tell them to hoist their bill up their posterior lol

Oh I have a mind to, but unfortunaly having shopped around a few times in the past, it seems that
they are actually the cheapest for my "use"
Having said that, I've not done it in awhile, may another price comparison maybe on the cards

 

[viv1969]

I don't mean swap necessarily. ..but if they're ignoring your submitted readings. ..get in their face

 

[Cobra]

Ah but they say, "you can submit readings at any time"

But "this one will not be used as a bill"

I really CBA, TBH, they'll p*** me off even more at some point, and I'll just swap
And wait for them to come crawling back to me on bended knees asking me to re-consider

 

[seriousrikk]

Yup, gas meters require by law a 'must inspect' visit every two years. Sensible suppliers will start the process of attempting to get into the property well in advance of this so aiming for once a year is quite wise. This also answers why it is not that important after a year. If they don't get access voluntarily then they will go down the warrant route!

Oh I have a mind to, but unfortunaly having shopped around a few times in the past, it seems that
they are actually the cheapest for my "use"
Having said that, I've not done it in awhile, may another price comparison maybe on the cards

Sometimes the cheapest is not always the best - I always suggest people take customer service and ability to serve into account when selecting a new supplier.

 

[DorsetDude]

Sometimes the cheapest is not always the best - I always suggest people take customer service and ability to serve into account when selecting a new supplier.

How does one check up on these less tangible things though? The only way to find out is to actually go with them and see what happens.

 

[Nikon Ken]

I switched to OVO, they have an app which allows you to submit readings as often as you like. I decided to give a smaller company a try after seeing some of the profits they were making.

I also switched to OVO some time ago after falling out with British Gas who insisted on increasing direct debits above what was required. When I changed they owed me over £200 despite saying that the needed to increase the direct debit! When they didn't refund promptly and ignored my emails I chased up CEO by email and ended up receiving compensation.

OVO take monthly readings and remind me to do so. If I'm in credit on my DD payments, they pay me 3% interest. They provide a clear online view of usage. They still send someone to do a manual meter reading every couple of years. Glad I switched.

Ken

 

[Cobra]

Yup, gas meters require by law a 'must inspect' visit every two years. Sensible suppliers will start the process of attempting to get into the property well in advance of this so aiming for once a year is quite wise. This also answers why it is not that important after a year. .

Thanks I genuinely didn't know that.

 

[Cobra]

Well, as per opening post, I still don't get it
The meter reader came yesterday, read both meters and left.
(so much for the safety check)
I had an email today, "your on line bill is ready for inspection".

So I logged in, read the bill and apparently I am £14 "in the red" with electric
and £34 in credit with gas. (Paid by DD)

The best part of this is,
from the website
27/08/201484951Meter ReaderDay / Rate 1Not used for billing
WTF! so he reads the meter and I still get an estimated bill!
I say again, WTF!

 

[DorsetDude]

Well, as per opening post, I still don't get it
The meter reader came yesterday, read both meters and left.
(so much for the safety check)
I had an email today, "your on line bill is ready for inspection".

So I logged in, read the bill and apparently I am £14 "in the red" with electric
and £34 in credit with gas. (Paid by DD)

The best part of this is,
from the website
27/08/201484951Meter ReaderDay / Rate 1Not used for billing
WTF! so he reads the meter and I still get an estimated bill!
I say again, WTF!

Its all one big rip off. If I can find a supplier that lets you pay monthly for what you've used and doesnt penalise you for not being on direct debit, I shall be swapping to them.

 

[TriggerHappy]

Well, as per opening post, I still don't get it
The meter reader came yesterday, read both meters and left.
(so much for the safety check)
I had an email today, "your on line bill is ready for inspection".

So I logged in, read the bill and apparently I am £14 "in the red" with electric
and £34 in credit with gas. (Paid by DD)

The best part of this is,
from the website
27/08/201484951Meter ReaderDay / Rate 1Not used for billing
WTF! so he reads the meter and I still get an estimated bill!
I say again, WTF!

I'm just speculating here but it's probable the reading the engineer obtained failed the validation process that has to be applied.

When you supply regular electricity meter readings it has the effect of updating the estimated figure used to bill your account. In this sense it is a constantly updating figure to reflect exactly your consumption. If you aren't/haven't been providing regular readings then there is no possible way for your estimated figure to be accurate.

The other alternative is that Rate 1 is a total register on an economy 7 meter in which case it will always be an unbilled reading but often recorded for reference anyway.

(Unfortunately gas, for the time being at least, doesn't work the same way and estimated consumption figures are only reviewed once annually. This is done by XOServe and not your supplier so the only reason the figure would be skewed in their favour is if they have insufficient or inaccurate meter reads to draw their calculations from.)

 

[Cobra]

They make such a fuss about being read once a year, top obtain a regular reading, that the whole thing seemed pointless to me.
Someone said above that this has to be done by law at least every two years along with a safely check.
I've never had anyone other than the supplier read the meter.

They do request meter readings at various times through the year, from me,
and occasionally they "ignore" those too, even though they are "sent in" well within the specified time.


Also I am not on economy 7 and never have been.

So for now, I'm still none the wiser.
But thanks for your post

 

[seriousrikk]

Its all one big rip off. If I can find a supplier that lets you pay monthly for what you've used and doesnt penalise you for not being on direct debit, I shall be swapping to them.

Suppliers don't penalise you for not being on direct debit. Many do, however, offer better prices to those that choose to pay by direct debit. If you choose not to do that you are not really being penalised are you?

 

[seriousrikk]

Well, as per opening post, I still don't get it
The meter reader came yesterday, read both meters and left.
(so much for the safety check)
I had an email today, "your on line bill is ready for inspection".

So I logged in, read the bill and apparently I am £14 "in the red" with electric
and £34 in credit with gas. (Paid by DD)

The best part of this is,
from the website
27/08/201484951Meter ReaderDay / Rate 1Not used for billing
WTF! so he reads the meter and I still get an estimated bill!
I say again, WTF!

Have you been billed on rate 1?

 

[seriousrikk]

(Unfortunately gas, for the time being at least, doesn't work the same way and estimated consumption figures are only reviewed once annually. This is done by XOServe and not your supplier so the only reason the figure would be skewed in their favour is if they have insufficient or inaccurate meter reads to draw their calculations from.)

While technically accurate, this part is not specifically true.

I know for a fact at least one supplier maintain their own estimated consumption figures that are updated each time a meter reading is received. Experience suggests they are not the only one.

I expect many of the major suppliers do the same thing, as accurate bills has been a huge priority from the regulator for years - and relying upon the distribution networks or xoserve/igt's for estimated simply is not an option.

 

[Cobra]

Have you been billed on rate 1?

Their site seems to get more and more complicated each time I try and navigate it (eOn)
(And I thought they were supposed to be simplifying these things? )

From what I can see, it looks like they have used MY last reading 3 months ago
for that past quarter.
And has estimated the next 3 months from that, (to date) even though it was read.

 

[boliston]

its annoying that smart meter technology is taking so long to be rolled out as this could allow you to monitor usage accurately as well as pay for actual usage instead of fixed monthly dd

 

[Cobra]

It seems that the government roll out date is next year on that.
But my and (I guess) other suppliers too, have already started.
Now being a technophobic OK read Luddite, I'll wait on that,
until "I absolutely have to" before jumping on that particular band wagon

 

[seriousrikk]

its annoying that smart meter technology is taking so long to be rolled out as this could allow you to monitor usage accurately as well as pay for actual usage instead of fixed monthly dd

The extra infrastructure that needs to be in place for smart meters is immense. This needs to be up and running reliably before mass rollout can begin - and right now it is nearly reliable. The pay as you go infrastructure is even more important as invariably people will make payments at the last minute and any delays could lead to their meter going off. There is also the extra infrastructure required to be actually fitting the meters. Fitting one million meters per year (a target one supplier I know of will need to hit) is no mean feat by any stretch of the imagination.

Personally, being involved in it from very early stages, I'm impressed at how well it is currently going considering all the challenges!