We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
SCOTTISH POWER - Check your GAS Bills NOW...
Options
Comments
-
According to the calculation quoted on my Scottish power bill, that 6 units should be
6 * 39.2 (calorific value) * 1.0226 (correction factor) / 3.6 (conversion to KwH) = 66.81
So both wrong! (Perhaps you have different conversion factors in your area)0 -
sterlingstash wrote: »According to the calculation quoted on my Scottish power bill, that 6 units should be
6 * 39.2 (calorific value) * 1.0226 (correction factor) / 3.6 (conversion to KwH) = 66.81
So both wrong! (Perhaps you have different conversion factors in your area)
The calorific value varies by area and date.
If the calorific value was 39.3 then 6 units are 66.98 which is what he was charged on 01 Jun.
If the CV changes in the period being considered the computer should work out an average. If over, say, 100 days when 25 days the CV was 39.4 and 75 days at 39.2, than the calculation should be at 39.25.0 -
Looks like one period with CV=39.3 and the other with CV=39.5, mixed in with a tariff switch - hence May spreading over four calculations?0
-
I would tend to agree that a variation in the 'Calorific Value' over the period is the most likely explanation, BUT my bill shows only one value of 39.2 !! [Note: The '[I]Volume Correction[/I]' factor is now correct.]
If they are using different 'CV' at different times during the billing period, that should be clearly shown, otherwise you simply cannot check if the bill is correct.0 -
derekwilliams wrote: »I would tend to agree that a variation in the 'Calorific Value' over the period is the most likely explanation,
If they are using different 'CV' at different times during the billing period, that should be clearly shown, otherwise you simply cannot check if the bill is correct.
Sorry cannot agree with that point.
Most people's bills cover a 3 month or 6 month period, and in that time the CV could have changed a couple of times. Do we really expect them to detail exact dates(e.g 13/5 to 22/7) when it was 39.1 and exact dates(23/7 to 12/8) at 39.2. So the average is 39.1124768.
In any case they don't know how much gas you used in period 13/5 to 22/7 when CV was 39.1 and how much when the CV was 39.2.
The algorithm is independently audited so shouldn't be incorrect - the algorithm also calculates average percentage of consumption by date over that period.
The 'glaring error' you highlighted made a difference of approx. 1 pence and the second calculation was cheaper.0 -
derekwilliams wrote: »I would tend to agree that a variation in the 'Calorific Value' over the period is the most likely explanation,
I've just given you the answer.
Work out the ratio of 39.3 to 39.5, then work out the ratio of 66.98 to 67.32.
What more evidence do you need?derekwilliams wrote: »... you simply cannot check if the bill is correct
I agree that they could have made it clearer - but it isn't difficult to deduce what happened.0 -
derekwilliams wrote: »I would tend to agree that a variation in the 'Calorific Value' over the period is the most likely explanation, BUT my bill shows only one value of 39.2 !! [Note: The '[I]Volume Correction[/I]' factor is now correct.]
If they are using different 'CV' at different times during the billing period, that should be clearly shown, otherwise you simply cannot check if the bill is correct.Sorry cannot agree with that point.
Most people's bills cover a 3 month or 6 month period, and in that time the CV could have changed a couple of times. Do we really expect them to detail exact dates(e.g 13/5 to 22/7) when it was 39.1 and exact dates(23/7 to 12/8) at 39.2. So the average is 39.1124768.
In my experience with utility companies, they use an "average" CV for the period being billed. A few years back, I actually recorded the CV figure published daily by National Grid for my area and compared it to the value used on my bills. In every case, the figure used was slightly less than the calculated average - such as 39.3 used, where the average was between 39.5 and 39.6.
The CV used in the formula for a particular range of dates has always been indicated, with only a different CV used if there has been something like a tariff change during the billing period.
The supplier would need daily readings to calculate a bill using the daily CV published by National Grid. I've just averaged it for my last month's statement. Average according to National Grid was 39.53469, value used on statement was 39.3, so no change in my observations. The difference is generally only pennies and in the customer's favour anyway, so it keeps everybody happy...I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the In My Home MoneySaving, Energy and Techie Stuff boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.
All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
0 -
I agree the variation is due to different calorific values but I also agree with Derek that these should be shown. Otherwise customers can't check bills and it is not unknown for SP to make mistakes.Je suis sabot...0
-
Hoof_Hearted wrote: »I agree the variation is due to different calorific values but I also agree with Derek that these should be shown. Otherwise customers can't check bills and it is not unknown for SP to make mistakes.
As stated above it is impossible for this to be meaningful and enable accurate checks. Take the simple case(it could be far more complex) from the post above:Most people's bills cover a 3 month or 6 month period, and in that time the CV could have changed a couple of times. Do we really expect them to detail exact dates(e.g 13/5 to 22/7) when it was 39.1 and exact dates(23/7 to 12/8) at 39.2.
In any case they don't know how much gas you used in period 13/5 to 22/7 when CV was 39.1 and how much when the CV was 39.2.
They would need to know the meter readings on 13/5, 22/7, 12/8 as well as the beginning and end of the billing period.
As victor2 said in the post #39 above:The difference is generally only pennies and in the customer's favour anyway, so it keeps everybody happy0 -
If you have a quarterly bill, they will use an average CV, so not a problem. SP have caused the problem by breaking the bill down into small chunks.
It could show the first tariff period as one calculation, using an average CV and then the second tariff period using a second CV.Je suis sabot...0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 351K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.6K Spending & Discounts
- 244K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.9K Life & Family
- 257.3K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards