Problems with underestimated readings by EDF

Patienhan

I live in a shared house, which we are moving out of soon and we recently received a bill from EDF for our gas and electricity which is over double the amount it usually is for this quarter. They said this is because they have underestimated our readings for the last two years and so have added on the extra to this bill.

I would be grateful if anyone could tell us if there's anything we can do about this, as it seems to be a fault on their part.

Thank you!

Premier_2

You could pay the bill.

Or you could not pay the bill ... but expect them to track you down at some point.

You used the energy - you have to pay for what you consumed.

Vestra

It's your responsibility to make sure they have up to date readings. You will need to pay this bill.

kalaika

If the previous bills were based on estimated readings then that's exactly what they were - their guess at what you are using. If they had estimated too high then you would have a lower bill now, but as it turns out they've estimated too low so you've got a larger bill now.

Bills tend to say fairly clearly whether the readings are actual or estimated. Over the two years, did no-one in the shared house think to check whether the estimates were accurate?

Fire_Fox

You have had the opportunity to supply your own meter readings about 700 times over the past two years, yet you chose not to do so. Double charges for the same period last year is not bad at all, given that it's been a very cold winter and that energy prices have increased substantially of late.

Patienhan

I realise we have to pay it and we should have checked, I didn't realise we had estimates as I don't deal with those bills usually, I just thought I would ask! Thanks for your help!

Cardew

Patienhan wrote: »

I realise we have to pay it and we should have checked, I didn't realise we had estimates as I don't deal with those bills usually, I just thought I would ask! Thanks for your help!

Hi,
Most of us fail to read the 'small print' on gas and electricity bills until we get a shock!!

Bills based on estimated readings have the meter reading annotated with (E) e.g 45234(E) and you should check and phone in with the correct reading and a new bill will be issued. So unfortunately it is your household not EDF that are at fault.

However if the bills have been estimated for 2 years, you need to ensure that the revised bill has allowed for the fact that prices have risen considerably over the past 2 years, and you don't want to be paying at July 2009 rates for energy consumed over the past 2 years when it was cheaper.

They should either estimate consumption at various points over the past 2 years, and charge lower prices, or reduce your bill by 10% to 20%.

Mike_in_Horwich

Sensible advice there from Cardew re. downsizing the bill to account for tarif increases over the past two years.

I do believe there's a legal requirement upon the part of the energy supplier to read the meter every two years (minimum).

Ask EDF for clarification on this point and warn them that if they have not complied with the legal requirements you will seek independant legal advice.

I must agree with others though, EDF offer a simple on-line and/or telephone facility to permit you to inform them of your meter reading as often as you wish.

Patienhan

That really is good advice thank you! We now know what to do in the future!

neas

i check my readings every bill to update them.My water company also estimate bills.. as soon asthey over estimate or under i ring them up and get a new bill issued there and then.

Mike_in_Horwich

Likewise - I check gas/electric weekly and water quarterly. There's a consistent trend with the gas/electric depending upon the time of year and hence the general weather/temp.

It's a good way to monitor expense as you can see if there are unexpected increases in comsumption. This is often down to the kids (still 2 living at home) having left equipment switched-on (sky, t.v.'s lap-tops etc etc.)

Every so often I have a purge and it's noticable how electric in particular can be reduced with some thought and little effort.

EDF operate a policy whereby if they owe you £150 or more at any time (on each energy) they refund you - likewise, if you owe them £150 or more they take directly from your bank.

This needs to be monitored as they are likely to refund you in late autumn whilst hit your bank in late spring. personally, I believe the £150 should be varied depending upon your yearly spend as large users of energy can easily vary seasonally by more than £150 (ie. about 15% of yearly total).