EDF's Annual Statement query.

schrodie

I've received my Annual Statement for Period: 18th Dec2012 - 17th Dec 2013 from EDF and under the heading 'Your last 12 months usage in kWh' it states 2703 and for Gas 16753.

Are EDF under an obligation to make sure that those figures (2703 & 16753) are accurate and based on actual meter readings and not based on any estimates or averages etc?

Also by sheer coincidence my next 12 months usage for electricity & gas is exactly the same i.e. 2703kWh & 16753kWh respectively!

jalexa

schrodie wrote: »

Are EDF under an obligation to make sure that those figures (2703 & 16753) are accurate and based on actual meter readings and not based on any estimates or averages etc?

Several questions within a question there. A supplier is only "obliged" to make every attempt to read the meter once every two years, so there cannot be an "obligation" for an annual statement quantity to be based on actual meter readings if none have been taken or submitted. In fact SLC 31.A.5 specifically allows "estimates" as long as it is made clear estimates have been used. (I know that Edf statement narrative explains estimates *may* have been used)

schrodie

Two [accurate] readings for Gas and Electricity were provided to EDF, one on the 13th Dec 2011 and another on 17th Dec 2012 (370 days). However this is just over 1 year and it seems that EDF wanted a 365 day period so EDF went for the period Dec 18th 2011 to 17th Dec 2012 and for the Dec 18th 2011 reading EDF used an estimated meter reading based on the meter readings that I'd provided, my consumption history and my average daily consumption. Why EDF couldn't just use the 370 day figures is a mystery as it's close enough to a year and is based on actual meter readings!

As for SLC 31.A.5, where EDF say on their Annual statement "Your last 12 months usage in kWh" and then give a figure (or figures) would it be reasonable to assume that EDF have not used any estimates to arrive at those figures by virtue of the words they are using i.e. "Your last 12 months usage in kWh"?

jalexa

schrodie wrote: »

As for SLC 31.A.5, where EDF say on their Annual statement "Your last 12 months usage in kWh" and then give a figure (or figures) would it be reasonable to assume that EDF have not used any estimates to arrive at those figures by virtue of the words they are using i.e. "Your last 12 months usage in kWh"?

In answer to your question IMO no, though I agree that the regulations require "estimate" status to be "clear".

Somewhere on the statement there is a link to online annual statement information, on which page there is an FAQ link which says this...

We use the reading on your latest bill and a reading 365 days prior to that to calculate your last 12 months' consumption. If we don’t have a reading from 365 days before we will estimate this on a pro-rated basis. We calculate your next 12 months' consumption based on this usage and your current tariff price.

Of course whether the calculation is right (or reasonable) or not is another matter.

I'm not speaking for or justifying anything Edf says as I think we all know very few people, including it seems Edf "specialists", know the answers.

If you access the raw Mydata in Myaccount you will see that the previous 12 months consumption varies by day.

I cannot really fault the annual statement data. It is the direct debit recalculation which still defies explanation. My formal request for that is "parked" (with my agreement) at the penultimate escalation stage over the holiday period.

schrodie

Imagine if EDF were a bank and they sent you your annual statement and said "Your last 12 months spending in £ is X" however that may just be an estimate.

Just as well EDF aren't running a bank.

As it turns out the kWh figures on my annual statement disagree with figures obtained using the method of calculation that I have been told by EDF that they used! In other words using EDF's calculations EDF don't get the 2703kWh & 16753kWh given on my statement! So where the 2703kWh & 16753kWh came from remains a mystery so clearly EDF's calculations have gone amiss somewhere. Unlike you I've been able to pick so many holes in my annual statement it now resembles a Swiss Cheese not to mention various breaches of their SLC!

Also the revised DD is somewhat odd given what EDF has estimated my 2013 energy usage will be including the outstanding balance; it works out at approximately £20 less than the revised DD figure EDF has quoted on the Bill! So if I had just accepted EDF as being competent and correct I would have ended up paying EDF ~£240 too much in 2013.

It would seem that the person dealing with my concerns is finding it very difficult getting the correct information from within the EDF organisation having already been told two versions each of which are basically "spherical objects" (one being from a departmental specialist!). I now look forward to the next instalment of this rather farcical situation.

Buzby

What they tell you your previous annual stratement has to reflect what they billed you (whether real or estimated). THis would them marry up to the bills (except the dates will not be in sync). Their estimate of future usage is simply conjecture, but should reflect your last 12 month's billing, with perhaps a cost hike for inflation.

With each quarterly bill, I get a new estimate, bassed on starting the claculation in that particular quarter, so it really is swings and roundabouts. As they use this to calculate DD's going forward (and their guestimate bill sent to encourge you to provide a meter reading) which is why I would never let them near my bank account with anything other than a Standing Order.

snowcat53

schrodie wrote: »

Also the revised DD is somewhat odd given what EDF has estimated my 2013 energy usage will be including the outstanding balance; it works out at approximately £20 less than the revised DD figure EDF has quoted on the Bill! So if I had just accepted EDF as being competent and correct I would have ended up paying EDF ~£240 too much in 2013.

The thread below is relevant to this also.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4292717
Some of us have been going through the complaints routes to force EDF to reveal how they calculate the DD figure (or alternatively prove it is unfair and irrrational ). If you have the time it would be helpful if you were to email them a complaint asking for the detailed calculation of your figure.

schrodie

snowcat53 wrote: »

The thread below is relevant to this also.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4292717
Some of us have been going through the complaints routes to force EDF to reveal how they calculate the DD figure (or alternatively prove it is unfair and irrrational ). If you have the time it would be helpful if you were to email them a complaint asking for the detailed calculation of your figure.

Oh don't worry I have a manager on the job who isn't exactly looking forward to the New Year as far as dealing with my account is concerned!!!

If she doesn't come up with a rational explanation then up the ladder it goes!