Switch meter readings dont match, please help

lazer-zxr

Gas Switch of supply from First Utility to GB Energy

Date of Switch: 13th Sept 2015
Customer reading @ switch over date: 9600

GB Energy Openning reading: 9600

First Utility closing bill:
31/08/15 Customer read: 9579 13/09/15 Customer read: 9600
13/09/15 Customer read: 9600 13/09/15 Final read: 9664

My meter reading was 9600 on switch over.
My meter reading has not yet reached 9664

I contacted GB Energy. Openning reading confirmed as 9600.

As my gas is an IGT (independent gas transporter) GB energy also stated, that as the meter technical details are received in monthly batches, the technical details have not yet been applied to the account. The opening reading is merely a note on my account, and not applied properely as a numeric. Therefore, they have not advised First Utility of any meter reads.

I then contacted First Utility, who stated the 9664 value was received from GB Energy.

Who do I contact to resolve this? I’m sure the 9664 reading was never read from my meter, as it has not yet reached that number.
Do I use resolver with GB Energy, or with First Utility?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

System

It doesn't matter provided that the closing and opening readings are the same. When the new supplier asks you for a reading it goes to a third party for adjudication/review based on the historic usage data for your property. If the industry estimate is the figure that is being used by BOTH companies, then you will not pay for the same energy twice. Your new supplier will only charge you the daily standing charge until such time as your meter passes the industry-adjusted figure. The cost difference to you is negligible.

FWiW, my gas reading on switch in mid August was adjusted to 105C3Ms higher than the meter reading that I provided. If it had been 109C3Ms higher, then the new supplier could have raised a dispute. I therefore paid my old supplier for energy that it had not supplied. I will pass the opening reading in mid November: 3 months after the switch.

You might well ask why the industry has a third party review of the meter reading that you provided? One, you might have misread the meter or, two, you might have deliberately misread the meter ( not unknown when energy prices are rising).

If you arrive at a situation where the opening and closing readings are not the same then complain in writing to both suppliers.

lazer-zxr

Thanks Hengus.

To be clear.

My opening reading with GB energy and Closing with First Utility do not match.

Closing is higher than openning.

Closing is higher than even todays meter read, and I switched 6 weeks ago.

System

The clue is in the abbreviation IGT. Small suppliers have yet to get automated access to IGTs so the process is manual. I am with Ovo and I also have IGT-suuplied gas. Ovo makes it clear on switch that it can take 8 to 12 weeks to get final switching readings and set up an account. My guess is that the guys in GB Energy customer services do not have full access to your account and the reading has yet to be adjusted by the switching team. FU is correct; GB is responsible for actioning all aspects of the switch.

lazer-zxr

Good news,

I emailed First Utility through resolver, and the dispute has been resolved. They're paying me £25 in the next 10 days!