EON..... not used for billing

oldwiring

Have been sent a letter etc from EON to my son, that purports to justify the increase in payments for gas required from him.

There are 11 readings covering May 2011 to May 2013, one in June 2012 being an estimate that three days later was replaced by a customer reading.

Now what is odd to my mind is that, whilst using an estimate and its near dated actual read from 2012, later readings taken in September, December 2012 and February 2013 have been marked. "Not used for billing". The last reading was taken on 23 May 2013.

Their actions seem inexplicable, as surely later dated actual readings ,that are more or less at quarterly intervals, give a truer view than older.

Explanations anyone?

dave8204

I had problems with Eon,or at least their meter reader.Once I had a vaguely threatening letter because he'd got the reading wrong and my meter showed less than it had the previous time,I was all but accused of fraud,another time my bill was high and claimed my meter had been read,it hadn't.Finally my settlement statement when I changed was again higher than it should have been as again they claimed the meter had been read.My meter is in my kitchen and the guy is either an excellent burglar or a liar.

oldwiring

Though in the case I am posting about, the readings annotated are not estimates and are also seasonally consistent, and two of the three are by customer.

Perhaps someone who knows more about EON will chip in.

DirectDebacle

Difficult to be precise because you haven't posted any figures.

Nonetheless you have a start reading May 2011 and an end reading May 2013. Two years of actual usage. Work out the avge annual kWh over that period and also the actual usage over each year. I suspect 2012/13 will be higher than 2011/12. Last year was poor (weather) and many customers have used more than their usual amount of energy.

If they have based their figures of projected usage for the coming 12 months only on last years usage, this could be a reason why there is a sharp increase in the DD. Also check the 12 month period used for the projection is May-April.

oldwiring

This old brain has covered those thoughts too. I quite often look at the off-springs' bills, and have encouraged them to submit accurate readings in place of estimates. I am curious why EON have so annotated the items.

That it could have something to do with exceptional weather does not seem characteristic of energy suppliers.:D

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi oldwiring

I suspect the readings noted 'not used for billing' have fallen outside of the billing window. If I might explain.

Either side of the bill date is a period we call the Billing Window. Meter readings received during this window automatically create a bill.

The time the window is open depends on the frequency of the billing. For quarterly customers, the window is open 14 days either side of the bill date.

Readings received outside of this window are noted on the account but not used for billing. Also, if we don't receive a reading whilst the window is open, an estimated bill will automatically be issued immediately after the window closes.

Where estimates have been used, we'll be happy to re-bill accounts accurately if we receive an actual reading.

Hope this helps oldwiring. Give me a shout if you need any more info.

Malc

oldwiring

Interesting, but confusing, when some of the readings are by a meter reader and are near to what (from the reading's dates) are quarterly intervals.

Mozzanov

oldwiring wrote: »

Interesting, but confusing, when some of the readings are by a meter reader and are near to what (from the reading's dates) are quarterly intervals.

I agree with you, it can not always be straightforward. I live in a block of flats and the landlord of it holds the key to an "under-stairs cupboard" where the electric meters are located, so I must call him at billing time and hope he comes along in time to give a reading. I imagine this situation is not uncommon. Once smart meters are commonplace, it will make life much easier (although I would still want to compare the readings).

oldwiring

Yes, though I have never lived in a flat, and my off-spring neither, the stories of muddled meters horrify me.