Meter frozen - how will bills be calculated?

Crap_with_money.com

Hi all,

I have a broken electricity meter and was hoping someone here might have an idea how my bills will be calculated without actual readings?

We moved into our flat last July. It took until January to resolve various issues with EON and move to Scottish Power. We have an on-line account, so I entered our readings as soon as we moved to Scottish Power. Someone came out to read the meter on 15th of April. 2 weeks ago I received an e-mail asking me to enter our current readings. When I looked at the meter it hadn't moved from the previous reading on 15th of April and hasn't since. I contacted Scottish Power straight away and they've said the meter is obviously frozen and will need replaced. They've arranged for an engineer to come out on the 28th of August.

I've been paying by Direct Debit and my account currently shows as being £155.75 in credit because there haven't been any new readings. I'm worried about how they'll calculate what we supposedly owe them for the period that the meter hasn't been working - anyone experienced this before?

I e-mailed to ask, but I got a generic response back saying my current DD is based on estimated readings and that my actual usage will be deducted when I provide readings, which I can't do since the meter isn't working?

I'm just worried I'll end up with a massive bill that we haven't warranted.

Thanks in advance for any help!

L x

Crap_with_money.com

I should also have mentioned, I don't think we've been with them long enough for them to have an average usage for us. When I queried it on the phone the girl suggested that's what they would do and that we would benefit from it because it's been such a long winter this year and out average figures probably wouldn't be so high asour actual figures.

lstar337

I'm guessing that as they have had no readings at all, they will have to use some general estimate that may be reviewed if your future consumption turns out to be widly different to what they guessed.

I would try to talk it over with somebody on the phone. They should be able to advise you of their procedure for this situation, I doubt it is the first time this type of thing has happened.

Scottish_Power

Hi, If you e-mail us at social@scottishpower.com we will help. Thanks James