I knew it was a bad idea to switch..mathematical wizard urgently needed!

Caroelle

I have avoided switching because of the horror stories, but having had one too many excessive bills from Npower I bit the bullet. However, I have tried to submit my monthly reading to Ovo for the first time, and found a 1st class c*ck up by Npower. My gas reading appears to be about 5000 units less than the final Npower figure. This is because Npower changed the meter in December 2013.
However, they did not update their records, and still have the old gas meter number on the bill, and have been doing estimates based on those numbers.
In an email from Ovo in April I was asked to check the meter I.D. numbers they had got against an Npower bill. I checked it against the bill from March 2014, which I now realise was wrong in respect of the gas meter as Npower had not updated it. The electricity meter is fine.
Unfortunately so many emails were sent from Ovo in a very short period of time when we switched that they went into the junk folder, and did not see the one asking me for an initial meter reading. In addition I had spoken to Npower following a letter from them when they became aware that I planned to switch, and I was lead to believe that they would read the meter so that they could issue me with a final accurate bill. Clearly this was the usual Npower incompetence or dishonesty as the final bill, that came at the end of May, was estimated. The switch date was 16th April, so 6 weeks later it was too late to do anything about it.
As far as I can see , the current meter measures in meters cubed (m3) and it started at 1517 on 16/12/13. The reading on 16/06/14 was 2283, so between 16/12/13 and 16/06/14 we have used 776 m3.
The old gas meter measured in units. The reading from the old meter on 16/12/13 was 7391, and the estimated reading when we switched on 16/04/14 was 7646, a difference of 255 units. The problem for me is working out how many units have been used since 16/04/14 when our gas usage is being measured in m3 and not units.
There is a conversion tool on the bill, but I need to work it out backwards somehow, and I just can't figure it out. I now fear that I am likely to get scr*ed over at some point by Ovo, or Npower or both of them knowing the way these things go. Does anyone have any advice please? Thank you

2013yearofthehouse

I think the units your old meter measured in would be cubic feet. So 255 cu ft would be approx. 8000kwh (depending on what calorific value has been used, which will be on your bill) and 776 cubic metres would be approx. 8600kwh (again depending on the calorific value). This means npower are estimating you used 8000kwh up to 16/04 which would then mean between 16/04 and 16/06 you used approx. 600kwh. On your new meter that would be approx. 54 cubic metres, so on 16/04 your new meter should have displayed approx. 2229 (if you had in fact used 8000kwh up to that date as npower are suggesting). Basically 600kwh is about 54 cubic metres (units on new meter) or about 19 cubic feet (units on old meter, if you still had it) and 8000kwh is approx. 722 cubic metres or 255 cubic feet.

I've approximated but if you use these calculations: http://www.ukpower.co.uk/home_energy/gas_meter_readings#.U6OZPie9KSM with your exact calorific value as given on your bill, you'll get accurate figures. Whatever accurate figure you get, to replace my "approx. 2229" meter reading, should be the opening reading that Ovo use if you are to continue as usual using your new meter.

What opening meter reading did Ovo use?

Caroelle

Many thanks for this. Ovo used the Npower estimates which I find hard to believe. I am kicking myself that I didn't do it myself, but we never actually got a switching date from either of them so I foolishly believed that the meters would be read.

JJ_Egan

OVO normally ask for a meter reading or two via email .

Cornucopia

2013yearofthehouse wrote: »

...8000kwh is approx. 722 cubic metres or 255 cubic feet.

Am I missing something? Surely cubic metres are bigger than cubic feet?

espresso

Cornucopia wrote: »

Am I missing something? Surely cubic metres are bigger than cubic feet?

Yes, an imperial meter registers units of 100 cu Ft.

antrobus

Cornucopia wrote: »

Am I missing something? Surely cubic metres are bigger than cubic feet?

Yes, it's the decimal point.:)

255 cubic feet is equivalent to 7.22 cubic metres.

Cornucopia

Did not know that...

I've only ever had newish meters (metres).

2013yearofthehouse

Sorry for confusion, in my defense it was the middle if the night and I thought some maths might cure my insomnia!

What I should have said, to be clearer, was 8000kwh is approx. 722 units on the new meter or 255 units on the old meter. I haven't double checked, but the calculations should otherwise be correct, using the directions on the link I posted.

2013yearofthehouse

Caroelle wrote: »

Many thanks for this. Ovo used the Npower estimates which I find hard to believe. I am kicking myself that I didn't do it myself, but we never actually got a switching date from either of them so I foolishly believed that the meters would be read.

So Ovo think your opening meter reading is the (estimated) one from the old imperial meter? Without evidence of meter readings near your switch date, you may struggle to get that amended, but you do need to make it clear to Ovo that you actually have a metric meter and what the current reading is asap, otherwise it's just going to cause trouble with future bills from them. Have you already had your first bill from Ovo? Was it estimated and asumed to still be an imperial meter? Should have been mid-May, so are you now trying to enter meter readings for your second (mid-June) bill? Have you emailed Ovo to explain the situation? I have so far found their customer service emails very prompt and helpful.

Caroelle

I missed the mid-May request as it went straight into the junk mail folder. I did not know that Ovo asked for monthly readings. I have been waiting for an email from Ovo saying that
'your service has been switched'. I have never received confirmation of this from either power company, and the first time that I knew that this had actually happened was after I received the final bill from Npower.
I emailed Ovo with an email similar to my original post explaining what I believe has happened and I am waiting for a response. I am still surprised that Ovo accepted an estimated figure from Npower. If Npower overestimated, that means that they have taken money from me for gas and electricity that Ovo have actually supplied. How can one supplier take over from another without having an accurate final reading?