Meter Registration Problem

fatboyonadiet

A friend has had an ongoing problem with a meter, the problem occurred in 2009 when the meter was changed. They've since found out that the meter was registered as imperial when it was metric so they've constantly been overbilled.

They were with Scottish Power from 2009 - 2012, and then with Npower from 2012 to 2015, and then with GB Energy.

They've always discussed the over charge with the energy company but they've always given other reasons for the high gas charges.

GB did the accuracy test (for free) and then the problem was diagnosed.

So far Npower have given £4,000k back in over charges and GB have given back £300.

They're yet to speak to Scottish Power as they want to be sure what to say as they were the energy provider when the meter was changed (but likely not the company to change it and register it wrong, EDIT: Elster Meter Ltd).

My friend isn't sure as to what to do now, is she better speaking to her case handler at npower or the energy ombudsman.

They've not been offered anything extra as to interest, compensation for inconvenience or gesture of goodwill.

Npower did recommend a new boiler at the time (which she had fitted at the cost of £1500), new insulation / cavity wall (which was done too).

Any advice and help is appreciated...

dogshome

Best to WRITE to Scot. Power enclosing all the supporting evidence there is regarding Meter type Mix-up.

Whilst Scot Power 'arranged' the meter change date with your friend, it was on behalf of the Gas distribution company for that area.
However, just who mis-recorded the meter type does not matter, it is Scot Powers duty to sort it out.

Doubtless Scot. Power will eventually pay back the overcharges, but there is one fly in the ointment in that they are only legally bound to go back 6 years to make adjustments, but this problem goes back 7

fatboyonadiet

Thanks. The ombudsman had advised similar about the 6 year period.

After discussion with Scottish Power they advised they realised their error and sent a cheque for 300, at the time they offered no explanation!

They also didn't charge for gas usage for a year but they don't have old bills to confirm this.

dogshome

Hmm - Glad it's all going the right way, but SP's £300 settlement seems very odd

When a Metric meter is wrongly charged as an Imperial meter, the 'Overcharge' is in the order if 183%
(ie £1 worth of gas used is billed at £2.83)

N'powers return of £4K for overcharges over a 3/4 year period shows the correct billing should have been around £2,185, not the £6,185 charged

Yet SP who had the contract for a similar period have only returned £300, which does not make sense even when considering they can discard one year because of the 6 year rule
Also their claim not to have made any charges for Gas for one year is astounding - They are saying that they allowed a Switch to n'power when owed the whole cost of a years gas, produced an erroneous Final Bill, and even then when they had 6 years to send out a bill for the error, they didn't notice it until you made a claim for overcharging.

Gather up all the past billing you can muster and work out just what the annual Gas consumption is for this household, then multiply it up for the years SP held the account, minius 1 for the 6year rule, then send in a WRITTEN Complaint to SP about their settlement

fatboyonadiet

Cheers dogshome, I will try with them again, they didn't seem to be budging and mentioned the 6 year rule themselves