Estimated readings

keiran

Is there any sense/theory/logic behind these estimates?

I've been with Scottish Power for 8 years at the same residence.
Every 3 months I have given a meter reading
This time round, I "allowed" an estimated reading to occur, and then checked my actual reading......

Their night-time estimate was 25% higher than it should be, and the day-time estimate 40% higher than it should be!!

What algorithms do these *untish power companies use?
Surely after 8 years of accurate meter readings provided, they could have a stab at an estimate which could be within the realms of possibility...?

Most bizarrely, the estimates were made to one decimal place (i.e. to 0.5 and 0.3 units!), with a zero in the second decimal place, implying they believe they can estimate to that high degree of accuracy. (those versed in maths will get this point)

On today entering the real readings online, I got a screen which said they'll do a "health check" on my account, which I take to understand that they don't believe my entered figures

Presumably they always overestimate customers' readings to create falsely high direct debits payments, effectively stealing money.

Is there any trick or unethical practice that these power companies don't engage in?

System

Hi. Most energy companies are having difficulties with the late start of Winter. I have entered gas and electricity readings with Ovo in the past month or so and "are you sure?' messages by return.

Cardew

Being with Scottish Power says it all really.


I believe the algorithm is not the culprit, but rather the 'rubbish in = rubbish out' syndrome. This despite the fact that the algorithm apparently gets input from the Met Office to enable it to give more accurate estimations.


SP's accounting problems are apparently caused by migration to a new computer system.

System

Cardew wrote: »

SP's accounting problems are apparently caused by migration to a new computer system.

Aren't they all. I can't wait for the billing confusion when the smart meter rollout programme ramps up.

GingerBob_3

Hengus wrote: »

Aren't they all. I can't wait for the billing confusion when the smart meter rollout programme ramps up.

You're surely not going to let them put a smart meter in, are you?

keiran

Cardew wrote: »

Being with Scottish Power says it all really.


I believe the algorithm is not the culprit, but rather the 'rubbish in = rubbish out' syndrome. This despite the fact that the algorithm apparently gets input from the Met Office to enable it to give more accurate estimations.


SP's accounting problems are apparently caused by migration to a new computer system.

?? Surely the best and most accurate pieces of data are the real meter readings entered every 3 months. That's hardly "rubbish in". Any other data such as weather forecasts, etc must have a lower importance in trying to estimate the next reading

matelodave

Don't allow estimated readings - it's a guess and their guess is likely to be a lot different to yours. If you can't actually take a meter reading for some reason then make your own guess and send it to them.

We are quite frequently away on the day that FU require their monthly reading and even if their estimate is close to mine I always send them something to ensure that we don't get estimates (or that it's my estimate and not theirs). I also keep records of all my readings and save copies of the monthly statements to ensure that there aren't any anomalies.

FU do actually tell you what they are going to estimate if you don't send them the info yourself.

Cardew

keiran wrote: »

?? Surely the best and most accurate pieces of data are the real meter readings entered every 3 months. That's hardly "rubbish in".

Agree 100%


However you have assumed that those 'the real meter readings' have been entered as data into the algorithm!;)


There have been a couple of threads recently where customers have discovered that all their previous 'history' with SP has been lost.(by SP)

matelodave

Totally agree, that's why I keep my own records and download my own copies of the statements so when it all goes to pot I've still got my own records.

It makes it much easier to sort out any problems and by keeping on top of the readings the worse mine can be is only one month out of date, rather than years like some people seem to mange.

10 minutes once a month can save hours of aggro & grief in the future

keiran

Just to update..

Yes, I DO give 3 monthly readings every time, but I let this one slip as I had been with SP for 8 years and wondered if their estimate would be at all correct. It was a sort of experiment.

I did complain about the nighttime estimate being 25% higher, and the daytime one being 40% higher than the actual value, even though SP had a full EIGHT years of data for the account, with consistent values over those 8 years. I pointed out that a schoolchild would have a reasonable stab at the estimate by looking at last year's quarter, or even that a bright schoolchild would do an average of the quarter over the 8 years in question, and come to a fairly good estimate. I questioned why and how their powerful computers and algorithms could fail so spectacularly

In reply I got 2 emails from the Indian handling centre telling me that occasionally the estimates are a bit higher or lower.... I escalated the complaint to the directors' office (naively thinking I'd get a better answer...)
and they said the same!!!

I'm really puzzled....are these people at SP really stupid in not understanding my clearly-articulated point, or are they in fact really devious in managing not to answer the question?

Cardew

keiran wrote: »

I'm really puzzled....are these people at SP really stupid in not understanding my clearly-articulated point, or are they in fact really devious in managing not to answer the question?

As said in an earlier post, don't make the assumption that SP's new computer has access to your regular meter readings.


With the recent chaos many of us have experienced, I suspect our(and your) history has been lost.