prepayment meter puzzle

donnydiva

Hi

Im hoping someone can advise me. I live on my own in a council flat, and have an NPower prepayment meter.

Since moving into the property in 2002, I noticed that my statements I received showed a debit. I thought this may be due to assessing me on the elderly couple who lived there previously, and would have used more electric than me.

I kept thinking it would get adjusted at some point, but it hasnt.

The other week I emailed NPower, enquiring about the 'outstanding balance' as they put it.

I gave an accurate reading on moving into the property, and since then have given accurate customer readings, aswell as them being able to get in to see the meter from time to time.

I only use the electric I pay for. It was a token meter, now its a key one.

So maybe Im being a bit dense but how can I have an outstanding balance when I only use what I pay for?

The only answer I can come up with is I dont use sufficient amounts of electricity, and there is some 'set amount' you are assumed to use.

I have contacted Npower again, as the letter I received said that 'my meter has been set to collect a fixed amount each week to cover your standing charge and your outstanding balance, in addition to the units you use' This does not address my original question to them, which was, what outstanding balance?

thanks

SwanJon

It is entirely possible that the token meter was not set with the correct price of electricity, so although you were buying £5 tokens, your meter was giving you £5.50 worth of electricity.
When npower got the readings, they calculated the cost of electricity, subtracted the payments you have made, and the rest was the balance.
When they swapped the metes, they may have capped the balance (some suppliers write it off, others charge the full amount).

spiro

SwanJon wrote: »

It is entirely possible that the token meter was not set with the correct price of electricity, so although you were buying £5 tokens, your meter was giving you £5.50 worth of electricity.
When npower got the readings, they calculated the cost of electricity, subtracted the payments you have made, and the rest was the balance.
When they swapped the metes, they may have capped the balance (some suppliers write it off, others charge the full amount).

This is highly likely as prices changed a lot and the old token meters required a visit to change the settings.

specialsparky

Hi, I would suggest you write to npower and ask that they supply you with a breakdown of the outstanding charge and how it was calculated. Ask them how long they will continue to "claw" back this underpayment. Ask how mant years this undepayment goes back for. I think they can only charge you back for a year, not sure can anyone confirm this?

nPower

Hi donnydiva

A debt can build up if you don't keep your prepayment meter topped up. Standing charges are applied to your meter so if you don't top up and keep your meter in credit, you may build up a debt even if you do not consume any energy. This can also happen if say, you go on holiday as prepayment cards can run out.

It could also be due to your meter not being set at the correct tariff and so it might not be collecting enough or might be collecting too much money.

Best thing to do is give us a call on 08451 201 453 and one of our advisors will be able to help you.


Kind Regards
Sally

donnydiva

Hi again

Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate it.

specialsparky - I have contacted NPower for a full explanation of the charges they claim I owe, I sent it yesterday so waiting for a reply.

SwanJon - I can see what you're saying. The thing is if they were doing these things, surely it would only be right for them to inform me of capping balances or whatever.

npower company representative - In regards to the meter being topped up it is always in credit (or as far as I was concerned it showed it was). Having only electric in my flat, it always has the minimum of £2 on it when I top up, often £5 or £6.

And again, as I said the SwanJon, if the tariff has been set incorrectly, how can you tell, and if NPower were aware of this, again why no information informing me of this? I had the new digital meter fitted about a year and a half ago, for the key system, so wouldnt it have been picked up then?

I just feel that I have been straight and above board, and due to no fault of my own (other than not querying it sooner) Im suddenly told I owe this 'debit'.

Premier_2

donnydiva wrote: »

...if the tariff has been set incorrectly, how can you tell, ...

The meter measures your consumption in kWh.

The company know how much credit you bought.

If the value of your consumption is greater than the credit you've purchased, you owe'll the supplier the difference

muffin_man_7

im new to all this however a question i have is this pre payment or credit meter ? i was paying by direct debit til the £80 a month for electric got too much then they gave me a payment card saying £42 a fourtnight =£4 more a month this card faild to arrive so they sent a replacement with a letter saying £27 a fourtnight im still finding this hard to pay only other option is pre pay meter what should i do i also owe £180. of last bill next one due end aug beg sept any advice please im scared of pre pay in case no money to put on but also dont want bill to get any bigger

spiro

muffin_man_7 wrote: »

im new to all this however a question i have is this pre payment or credit meter ? i was paying by direct debit til the £80 a month for electric got too much then they gave me a payment card saying £42 a fourtnight =£4 more a month this card faild to arrive so they sent a replacement with a letter saying £27 a fourtnight im still finding this hard to pay only other option is pre pay meter what should i do i also owe £180. of last bill next one due end aug beg sept any advice please im scared of pre pay in case no money to put on but also dont want bill to get any bigger

If you cant afford the bills you are receiving on DD you costs will go up with ppm. The answer is - cut down your useage.

muffin_man_7

thanks spiro bg have said price per unit will stay the same but i can't find any info to back this up not very good on internet yet but getting there slowly once money in meter done cant be diverting for other payments but i worry kids will still forget to turn things of there is only three of us and although our usage has gone down its summertime i really worry bout winter i gave tumble dryer to my eldest d hers packed up since then usage is going down im the only one who turns stuff off funny teens have no trouble turning stuff on just off if i do end up on pre pay any adviceon how much id need to top up from anyone who already has pre pay would be appreciated id like to cover all my opptions before i loose the choice never had pre pay but if it means no bills building up it might be for the best

SwanJon

Muffin Man - the price per kWh on a prepay meter is the same as a quarterly bill or DD, however, with DD you get extra discounts.

If you are paying on a card at the PO then you are actually paying slightly more than a prepayment meter.

As to how much to put in - it depends on how much you use - at this time of year I'd try to put a bit more than you need in (or in savings) so that when it gets colder you can draw on it.