Meter Reading Question

clairestar86

Hi all,

Seems quite self explanatory when I write it down, I just wanted to check really. I have just moved back to British Gas from NPower, and have had the bright idea of giving them monthly meter readings for both my gas and electricity, in the hope that I will be charged for exactly what I use.
Is that right?
Will my meter readings actually make a difference?
We currently pay £75 a month dd, which, if it got any higher, could start to be quite painful financially.
I realise I'm sounding quite dumb, just looking for someone to nod at me and tell me I'm being a bit blonde today!

Thanks very much

Claire

Magentasue

In theory, it should mean that your DD accurately reflects one twelfth of your annual bill. I've found it works for me, but have no experience of British Gas.

Alan_Vickers

Last year I was provoding monthly meter readings online to British Gas and then I was advertised by one of the call centre staff not to do it as often as 'it would upset the computer'! I found that hard to believe so I am now doing it fortnightly and will provide an extra gas meter reading on 19th February for the gas. They will then have plenty of readings to produce their bills & statements and to plot their graphs.

cookiemonster25

Alan_Vickers wrote: »

Last year I was provoding monthly meter readings online to British Gas and then I was advertised by one of the call centre staff not to do it as often as 'it would upset the computer'! I found that hard to believe so I am now doing it fortnightly and will provide an extra gas meter reading on 19th February for the gas. They will then have plenty of readings to produce their bills & statements and to plot their graphs.

be wary of upsetting the puter!!!!!
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1461465

SwanJon

Never really seen 'the computer' upset by too many reads - for PP customers we get a read everytime they top up and it seems to cope fine.
Monthly readings will really help build up a profile of how much you are using (especially as you are new to the company), but they will still only reassess your payments every 6 months (AFAIK), but if they ever do need to estimate it (Feb 19th for example) they will be able to be more accurate.

PS, I'd put a reading in on 18th Feb, not 19th as it does seem to estimate price change reads anyway. (Don't hold me to that)

greenbee

I put in my meter readings weekly, as I'm doing them for imeasure anyway. It doesn't upset the computer, but does mean my bills are accurate, and since I've been doing this my DD has been set to a more appropriate level as well.

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Hi,

You can provide your meter readings each month as this gives a more accurate picture of your usage.

I’d also make sure I was giving a reading just before the bill date as well; this means they should bill you to your reads and avoid an estimated bill.

When they come to reassess your Direct Debit, your payments can be set correctly.

You should see a credit build up over the summer months, as this will then go towards your larger winter bills and stops you being left with a big Direct Debit increase after winter.

I’d keep an eye on my bills and check they have used actual meter readings, if your account is going in to too much credit or debit, ask them to re-calculate the payments.