My NPower electricity readings are ludicrous

gazbox

I moved out of my two-bedroom in London last year, in which I received both my Gas & Electricity from NPower. The flat had gas central heating and a gas hob, but the oven was electric. Whilst in the flat I always paid for both my Gas & Electric via direct debit, but upon leaving I received a bill for over £1400 for electricity because apparently my electricity account was in arrears. NPower revised the figure down by £20 when I questioned it initially, and then revised it down to £965 when I questioned them again. NPower are claiming that my readings over the course of ~17 months were as follows:

01/12/2006 23228kWh
29/04/2007 26807kWh
04/01/2008 31548kWh
07/04/2008 33849kWh

According to these figures I used 10,621kWh over a 17 month period, in a small two bedroom flat in London!? The flat was heated by gas, and I had no electric shower. The only large electrical applicance in the flat was the oven, so I can't imagine how NPower's readings can possibly be correct. My research shows me that the average family home uses between 3,300kWh and 4,500kWh per year, and according to NPower I was using almost double that in a 1-year period. I don't have any readings to counter their claims, but their figures seem ludicrous. The fact that they've revised my electricity bill three times since I first questioned it, means I already lack faith in the accuracy of their accounts. Each month I was paying a direct debit, which NPower varied up & down (based on alleged readings), but averaged out at just over £30 per month.

Is there anything I can do to prove them wrong? Or a way of finding out previous meter readings at my property (i.e. before I lived there)?

I have no idea how to proceed with this, but I'm convinced NPower must've got it wrong so loathe to hand over my hard earned cash. Any help/suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.

KimYeovil

Do either of the two middle readings have a letter next to them indicating (A)ctual, (E)stimate or (C)ustomer read? You can then use one of them with your final reading to see how it compares with initial reading. (But you are doing this 17 months too late!)

Cardew

Welcme to the forum.

Whilst the consumption is obviously huge, the readings at different dates show a pretty consistent consumption of 700kWh per month.

I suspect that the readings are probably accurate.

I would be looking at the possibility of you paying for the wrong flat, or your meter supplying 2 or more flats, or the common parts. Not an uncommon scenario in blocks of flats.

wilf123

Have a look at the BBC Watchdog link, it may be that they've messed up the readings if you has an imperial meter.

bbc.co.uk/watchdog/consumer_advice/latest_meters_pic.shtml

Regards

Wilf

gazbox

So I spoke to NPower again and although they previously claimed the readings I posted below were actual readings, they're now saying that they're only estimates. The only actual readings they have are:

08/04/2006 12364kWh
16/06/2007 28056kWh

Which equates to 15,692kWh in a space of 1year and 3months. I can't imagine this is even possible in a 2-bed flat with gas central heating and no electric shower?!

The apartment block was only built in 2000, so presuming the meter started on zero this would suggest that 12,364kWh were used between the flat being built and and 08/04/2006, and then 28,056kWh were used in the 15 months after that. Is there anyway I can prove that NPower's readings are incorrect?

Unfortunately this is electricity rather than gas, so I presume its a different issue to that which was investigated by Watchdog.

Cardew

wilf123 wrote: »

Have a look at the BBC Watchdog link, it may be that they've messed up the readings if you has an imperial meter.

bbc.co.uk/watchdog/consumer_advice/latest_meters_pic.shtml

Regards

Wilf

Welcome to the forum.

The OP is concerned about electricty consumption - not gas!

Cardew

gazbox wrote: »

So I spoke to NPower again and although they previously claimed the readings I posted below were actual readings, they're now saying that they're only estimates. The only actual readings they have are:

08/04/2006 12364kWh
16/06/2007 28056kWh

Which equates to 15,692kWh in a space of 1year and 3months. I can't imagine this is even possible in a 2-bed flat with gas central heating and no electric shower?!

The apartment block was only built in 2000, so presuming the meter started on zero this would suggest that 12,364kWh were used between the flat being built and and 08/04/2006, and then 28,056kWh were used in the 15 months after that. Is there anyway I can prove that NPower's readings are incorrect?

Unfortunately this is electricity rather than gas, so I presume its a different issue to that which was investigated by Watchdog.

Presumably when you moved in(01 Dec 2006?) you didn't take a meter reading?

It seems obvious that something is very wrong with the meter readings. Possibly that the 08/04/2006 reading was 22,364 not 12,364?

If that the case the previous occupant has been undercharged by 10,000kWh.

To be brutally frank, it appears you didn't check your meter readings at the start of your occupation and didn't check any of the estimated readings on the bills. Now some 18 months after you have moved you are challenging the consumption.

Someone(obviously previous occupants) has used the electricity, and the company can hardly go back to them(which one?) and say you underpaid in 2006!!

Whilst undoubtedly you have been 'wronged' I doubt you have any grounds for redress, other than to appeal for a further 'goodwill' payment from NPower.

gazbox

Just a quick update on the outcome of this. After being put through to NPower's complaints team, I made my point that it was highly implausible that I could have used this much electricity in such 15 months. NPower then went away and investigated the case further, and eventually sent me a letter saying that they would no longer seek any more money from me, and that they considered the case closed. It just goes to show that you shouldn't give into these firms too easy and pay a bill which is clearly excessive.

DVardysShadow

gazbox wrote: »

Just a quick update on the outcome of this. After being put through to NPower's complaints team, I made my point that it was highly implausible that I could have used this much electricity in such 15 months. NPower then went away and investigated the case further, and eventually sent me a letter saying that they would no longer seek any more money from me, and that they considered the case closed. It just goes to show that you shouldn't give into these firms too easy and pay a bill which is clearly excessive.

Meanwhile, no one walks away with the lesson that you should take and keep readings when you move into or out of a property and you should compare the reading on the bill with the meter every time.

You got your result from goodwill on the part of NPower. Others might not be so fortunate.