Scottish Power incompetance

paintbrush

Last February I had new raditors and a replacement combi condencing boiler installed.
Due to the ongoing property refurbishment works the boiler has still not yet been connected to the radiators and only heats hot water as required.
The gas supply is to the boiler and cooker in the kitchen.
Scottish Power were advised of the changes and given up to date meter readings.
As a consequence they reduced my gas/electric direct debit down from £92.50 to £78.50p.
However, with the use of ongoing meter readings they worked out that I was using just £0.44p of gas a day (£13.20 a month).
For this they continued to debit £55.50p from my bank account every month.
My electricity bill was £23 every month.
Knowing my circumstances were about to change again and I was due a rebate I contacted Scottish Power last week and was told that a request for a rebate had been made (not by me in a sole occupier household) and a cheque for £238.58p would be sent to me shortly.
I told them I will soon be away from home for three out of every four weeks, for at least a year, and wanted my direct debit reduced accordingly.
Eventually I managed to convince them that my combined usage per month would be no more than £30 per month and requested they confirm this in writing.
I received a letter this week confirming the intended refund with a breakdown of the charges on the reverse of the letter.
Great! The breakdown clearly showed that my usage had been, on average, £33 a month and a refund for £238.58p was due.
However, at the bottom of the front of the letter was a section telling me that, based on my consumption, they will be increasing my direct debit to £90.38p every month.
I intend e-mailing a copy of my letter to various agencies/newspapers/tv programmes to ensure everyone can see just what Scottish Power are sending out to their customers and see if they can defend a charge hike for minimal usage.
Surely I cant be financing Scottish Powers continued existance as a company, or am I???

kjsmith7

Are your meters inside or outside your property? If you are going to not really be in much, it might be worth asking if they have a direct debit option that only takes what you owe, such as a quarterly direct debit. I ask if your meters are inside/outside as it's quite important that accurate readings are obtained for this to work effectively.

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Hi,

It sounds like they have increased your Direct Debit on your previous consumption, as they don't have any history of your usage being as low as it will be.

I would defiantly contact them again and make sure they understand that you will not be at your house and usage will be much lower.

If you do have problems kjsmith7 idea of a Variable Direct Debit is a good one. But do make sure they bill you to accurate readings otherwise the estimates might be based on your higher usage.

ali_p_4

I had similar problem with them agreed a £110 DD then confirmation letter came for £200. I was told they didn't do quarterly billing as i prefered to have control of my money not them. Call through and ask to complain. You will be forwarded to a very help customer care advisor and should be able to sort the problem out.