MSE News: The 17 DAY Big Energy Switch Event III

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Glad things are moving in the right direction firsttimemover and thanks for letting me know. :T

You know where I am if you need any more help. Just let me know.

Malc

robj20

Well my switch is a pain, EON have switched me across just fine it seems, first reading is right. But British gas have gotten some different reading which is way higher over double the amount used, so im paying for the gas twice. They are also refusing to give us the money they owe, keep saying we need to wait. Well its been a month now and still waiting.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi robj20

I'm sorry the switch is causing you pain. Thought I'd pop on to let you know, it's our responsibility to tell the previous supplier the readings we use to start your account. They'll use the same readings to close their account. This is to stop the same energy being charged twice.

Thought it might help if I give you a bit of information about what happens with a change of supplier. Readings and other details are passed between the two suppliers and certain third parties (regional distributor, meter operator, meter reading agent, national database etc). This is done via a series of electronic messages. These messages let all those involved with your energy supply know about the changed circumstances. Although we're already supplying, it may be longer before all the information's in place. Sometimes, the losing supplier will estimate a final reading and close their account before all the details are through. This may be what's happened to you. Usually, all will be updated and rebilled once the readings are through. I'm only speaking from our point of view though. You'll need to speak to the previous supplier to see what their take on this is.

In certain circumstances, usually where there's disagreement over the readings, we can raise what's known as an Agreed Reads Dispute (ARD). This is an industry wide process used by most suppliers to agree opening/closing readings. There are certain thresholds before these can be used. The difference needs to be more than 250 units (electricity) and 125/45 units (gas) depending on if it's a 5 dial metric/4 dial imperial gas meter. If below, an ARD won't be possible and we'll have to go with the estimate.

The important thing is to make sure the opening and closing readings are the same.

Hope this is of interest robj20.

Malc