Energy Usage Availability

SiM99

Hi,

I couldn't find an indication of how much energy we've used on our current provider's website. I've emailed them asking how to access it and been informed that they can do it manually if I tell them what period I'd like it for.

I seem to recall reading somewhere, probably on this website, that an energy provider has to provide access to the consumers usage history, at least via a downloadable format. The term MyData comes to mind, but I'm not sure if that's right or may even be associated with something else altogether.

Can anyone confirm this for me? Or let me know if I'm totally wrong?


Thanks!

Robin9

I'm not aware of any requirement but the bills provide an estimate for the year.

Many people on this forum keep their own records, reading their meters at least monthly and using a simple spreadsheet.

System

SiM99 wrote: »

Hi,

I couldn't find an indication of how much energy we've used on our current provider's website. I've emailed them asking how to access it and been informed that they can do it manually if I tell them what period I'd like it for.

I seem to recall reading somewhere, probably on this website, that an energy provider has to provide access to the consumers usage history, at least via a downloadable format. The term MyData comes to mind, but I'm not sure if that's right or may even be associated with something else altogether.

Can anyone confirm this for me? Or let me know if I'm totally wrong?


Thanks!

Website - no. Energy statements - yes. It is a Supply Licence requirement:

Schedule 1 to standard condition 31A: the “Could you pay less?” label for Bills and statements of account

S1.1 In order to comply with its obligations under paragraph 31A.2, the licensee must ensure that a “Could you pay less?” label is displayed in a box on the first page of every Bill or statement of account.

S1.2 The licensee must ensure that the “Could you pay less?” label:

(a) subject to S1.11 in respect of Dual Fuel Accounts, contains only the information required by S1.3 to S1.10; and

(b) presents the information in text of an equal size and prominence, which may not be smaller than ten points in size, using the desktop publishing system, except that headings or titles may be afforded more prominence whether by capital letters, underlining, larger or bold print or otherwise.

S1.3 The licensee must include a title with the exact text “Could you pay less?”.

S1.4 The licensee must include a statement informing the Domestic Customer of their Estimated Annual Costs.

S1.5 The licensee must include a brief statement explaining what is included in the Estimated Annual Costs, including, but not limited to, value added tax (and, where the Domestic Customer is subject to a Warm Home Discount, the licensee may also include a brief statement to the effect that a Warm Home Discount is not included);

Call your supplier and ask for the Estimated Annual Consumption (electricity) and Annual Quantity (gas) for your home. This is the historical usage data held on database for your home. Actual usage is corrected for seasonal weather variations.

Or, you could do as most of us do, which is to look at two statements about a year apart and do the sums for ourselves. Make sure that any readings that you use are annotated with an 'A" for actual.

SiM99

Thanks for the responses Robin9 & Hengus.

I've only been with this supplier for a few months. The website displays a "live balance", which just shows how much we're in credit. It has a "Payments & statements" page, which shows that we've made four monthly payments and not had any statements so far.

With other suppliers, I've always paid monthly and had monthly statements made available to me, via post or pdf, so this seems weird to me... You both referred to annual statements though, so it seems that it may be expected to work this way?

molerat

Name the supplier, replies will then be tailored to how people here know that supplier works. Do you submit monthly reads ? Many suppliers will bill if you give them a read.

System

SiM99 wrote: »

Thanks for the responses Robin9 & Hengus.

I've only been with this supplier for a few months. The website displays a "live balance", which just shows how much we're in credit. It has a "Payments & statements" page, which shows that we've made four monthly payments and not had any statements so far.

With other suppliers, I've always paid monthly and had monthly statements made available to me, via post or pdf, so this seems weird to me... You both referred to annual statements though, so it seems that it may be expected to work this way?

The number of statements that you get is usually covered in the supplier's contract terms and conditions. Not all suppliers provide monthly statements, A credit balance on its own is meaningless unless it is based on actual meter readings and then only on that day. I use an IOS app called Meters (99p from Apple Store). I enter meter readings and tariff information and it tells me how much I owe since I was last billed. Other people use a simple spreadsheet.

Could you Pay Less? is on every bill:

Over the next 12 months, we have estimated your
personal projection:

Electricity personal projection: £ 372

This projection includes your energy usage, standing
charges and VAT.

Our cheapest similar tariff:

Electricity: Good news - you’re already on the cheapest
similar tariff. We’ll let you know if this changes.

Our cheapest overall tariff:
Electricity: Good news - you’re already on the cheapest
overall tariff. We’ll let you know if this changes.

The information needs to be taken with a large spoonful of salt as cost projections are based on a rolling 12 month contract which distorts the savings for those of us on a fixed tariff with less than 12 months to run. A supplier can legally advise you that there is a cheaper tariff available which will actually cost you more. My advice: compare annual costs using a site like MSE Cheap Energy Club.

Norman_Castle

I've been with Iresa 1 1/2 years. From my bills.

PERSONAL PROJECTION INFORMATION
If you continue to use the same amount of electricity over the next 12 months, we estimate your total costs will be ---. This includes all added charges,
discounts and VAT. If our prices or your usage changes, the projection will too. (For information on how we work this out,

System

Norman_Castle wrote: »

I've been with Iresa 1 1/2 years. From my bills.

PERSONAL PROJECTION INFORMATION
If you continue to use the same amount of electricity over the next 12 months, we estimate your total costs will be ---. This includes all added charges,
discounts and VAT. If our prices or your usage changes, the projection will too. (For information on how we work this out,

The ——. Are you saying that this is left blank?

matelodave

I'm also with IRESA and there does seem to be a randomness about their bills. I've only had one and it was wrong.

I gave them a reading, which they acknowledged and they've come up with a random estimate on the bill which is far lower so I'm getting interest on my credit.

I'm not bothered as I keep my own records and at least the opening reading was correct. I'll just have to see how it goes although I can see panic setting in when they do eventually sort it out and realise that I use most of my energy at this time of the year.

Norman_Castle

Hengus wrote: »

The ——. Are you saying that this is left blank?

Yes. Thats copied and pasted from my bill.

System

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Yes. Thats copied and pasted from my bill.

Report them to consumeraffairs@ofgem.gov.uk for a breach of SLCs.