Swalec Gas Usage calculation query

alexlyne

This is about two billing periods: Jan-March and April-June (inc)
We are on a pricefix, no standing charge, pay 1/4ly.

In april we had an estimated bill, and it was twice as much as the same period the year before. I thought I'd pay it as we could afford to and it will mean that the summer would be free.

In July we had the next bill through, again an estimate. I had put our meter reading in the day after a meter reader attempted to do it, but the website said that there was a problem even though teh reading was noted. I thought it was that the new reading was well below their previous estimate (which it was). Anyway the bill came with an estimate anyway.

I ring Swaalec and they said that based on the current actual reading that they would recalculate the two quarters and charge us accordingly. Fair enough, I said, as long as they take into account that we use more gas in the winter than the summer (important due to being on a nsc tariff).

Anyway, I get the new bill, and they have split the 100 units used over 6 months straight down the middle, and not 85/15 ish that I would have expected (again, based on the two quarters last year)... meaning that we are effectively overcharged.

Would you think that this is something that they could rectify?

Mugget

You prob haven't been over charged because the amounts between 2 actual readings would have been distributed between the rebills. If u calculate the usage between the 2 readings and then add up the usage on the bills they should be about the same. Won't matter how much is on each bill. From the amended bills take off what you have already paid for that period and that will leave u with ur outstanding balance

alexlyne

Would be fine if I was on a standing-charge tariff.

With NSC what happens is this:

Quarter 1: I use (say) 100 units. The first 50 units cost 20p, the rest cost 10p
Therefore the bill is 50*.2 + 50*.1 = £15 (only an example remember)
Quarter 2: I use 20 units, these are all at the higher rate, I pay £4.
So toal for 6 months is £19.

Now if they didn't get a good reading in the middle, they know I used 120 units over the 6 months, and they split down the middle and say I use 60 units in each quarter:

Q1: 50 units @20p, 10 units@ 10p = £11
Q2: 50 units @20p, 10 units@ 10p = £11
So I have been charged £22.
This is higher than £19.

Scale it up to something reasonable, and I am being oevrcharged by at least £20.
I'm calling them this afternoon to see what they say about it.

brewerdave

Had a similar problem with tier 1/2 units when I left SWALEC 3 years ago due to a price increase - phoned them and argued for a "true" split - got about £6 back - but its the principle that counts!!

Mugget

As Swalec did not have an actual reading at the end of each billing period it would be very difficult for them to work out what was used in each period hence why its split down the middle. As your on a NSC tariff your 2 unit rates would have been the same as its the first 225 units in each quarter that are at the high price. so as long as over the 2 periods u used more than 450units you would not have been mis charged over the 2 periods. I strrongly advise you to call up with actual readings when u get a estimated bills!