Electricity standing charges

julesbury_2

Having discovered today that the "standing charges" on my electricity bills refer to not the electricity i use but to a storage heating system that was removed from my property in Dec 2001, I am being told that I have no case to obtain a refund because the operators I spoke to on numerous occasions made no notes as to the fact I no longer have storage heaters. I was never informed that I should request to have my meter changed to a single tariff meter (thereby i would not be charged "standing charges") and so even though I am continually receiving info from the company telling me how I can save money through energy efficiency, they feel jusified in taking payment for a service I no longer receive. Having today lodged a complaint with both my electricity company and Energywatch I don't feel very confident in receiving a refund as I have been told that there is no government legislation ruling that electrcity companies are compelled to make us consumers aware that we unwittingly are on the wrong tarrif for our needs. I am sure there are many people nationwide that are being charged unnecessary electricity "standing charges" without their knowledge. I understand that Ofgem are due to publish a report in September 2008 on the results of their "probe the energy supplies market" but from what I can make out, the probe is due mainly to the cost of energy.
I believe the issue I have highlighted requires government regularity consideration and would love to hear the views of anyone else in my position.

Edinburghlass_2

I've just found your post so have moved it over to the Gas & Elect board where you may find some help and/or similar stories.

Premier_2

As OP only signed up to make this potentially inflammatory post, disappeared 3 hours later and hasn't returned for the past 3 weeks, I doubt they ever will. :cool: