Can anyone help me decipher energy bill?

Lu_Lu

I am very confused regarding the latest bill I've had from Scottish Power. The figures on the bill don't match with those on my online account. I'm not sure whether the query anything with them so wanted to see if there are any energy experts here.

Unfortunately I can't post a quick pic of the bills but they look like this;

Bill
Last period
Balance -£68.81 in credit
Payments received (direct debits) -£160.98
Account adjustments -£91.02 (this is for cancelled electricity charges 8/3-22/5 and I have no idea why!)
Account balance -£313.04

This period
Account balance -£313.04 in credit
Energy charges £195.91
Discounts -£6.50
VAT £5.30
Total £194.71

Your new account balance £118.33 (in credit)

Online account
£68.82 in credit on 2 June after an estimated bill of £163.25
£229.79 in credit on 1 August after 2 direct debits
£111.46 actual bill on 14 August
£118.33 in credit after this bill

So the credit is right but I've no idea how they've got to this or where the electricity credit has come from.

I like to understand these things and don't - help!

[Deleted User]

You are not going to get any correct bills on an estimated bill, so the credit is`nt really right at all. Its just a guess.

Lu_Lu

i'd like the credit to be right if nothing else!

brewerdave

POSSIBLY -They gave you an estimated bill in June based on an actual number of days up to 22/5 but an estimated number of units consumed. When they did the meter reading in August they have cancelled the charge for units on the previous bill then recharged for all units consumed from the previous actual reading in March thru to the new reading in August - but you need to scrutinise your latest bill VERY carefully to discover the truth!!
If so, then the credit shown both on the bill and online,is correct!!
When I left EDF last May the plusses and minusses on the bill were manifold -it took me a long time to work out exactly what they had done,but part of it was a cancellation then a recharge of units -no idea why they did it because my reads were all actual!:rotfl:

Lu_Lu

i don't understand why it has to be so confusing! I am sure you're right about the credits etc and as long as I am in credit I am fairly happy with it I just like to understand these things!

System

It really isn't that complicated. Your energy company produced an estimated bill. They deducted this from your last credit balance plus the DDs paid in doing the period. For whatever reason, they decided to re-run your bill so they cancelled the old bill and added back the deduction to your credit balance.

I suspect that your company does this because (a) it is how their software is set up and (b) they want to make sure that there is only one bill on the system at anyone time; particularly, if there are DD discounts etc on the tariff.

As far as the bill layout is concerned, blame OFGEM.