Switching and meter readings

Streaky_Bacon

Hi,
I am due to switch supplier on 5th January.

I will be paying in advance by monthly DD.

I have received an email from the new provider, saying that they need a meter reading from me on the 2nd and will send a payment reminder on the 4th.

Can anybody please advise how the switch works in terms of meter readings.

I had expected that I would need to provide a meter read on the 5th, as I would be paying the previous supplier up to that point, and the new supplier from that point onwards.

Will they both just use the reading on the 2nd, instead?

System

This blog will help:

https://octopus.energy/blog/secret-life-opening-meter-reading/

Both suppliers have to use industry verified meter readings which may differ from those that you have provided to the new supplier.

A dispute can be raised if the verified readings do not agree with what is on your meter, but.....

Quote: Disputes can only be raised if the difference between the readings is sufficiently high. If the difference is more than 1200 kWh for gas, or 250 kWh for electricity, then the dispute can be raised; if the difference is within these values, the readings are deemed to be accurate, and the dispute cannot be raised. These are the values set by OFGEM, to regulate disputes. Unquote

Anthorn

Streaky_Bacon wrote: »

Hi,
I am due to switch supplier on 5th January.

I will be paying in advance by monthly DD.

I have received an email from the new provider, saying that they need a meter reading from me on the 2nd and will send a payment reminder on the 4th.

Can anybody please advise how the switch works in terms of meter readings.

I had expected that I would need to provide a meter read on the 5th, as I would be paying the previous supplier up to that point, and the new supplier from that point onwards.

Will they both just use the reading on the 2nd, instead?

Ouch! A bone of contention with me at the moment.

In theory you give the meter reading(s) to your new supplier to open your new account and they then pass those on to your old supplier who uses the readings to close your account and issue your final bill. The aim is to prevent being charged twice for the same energy. Then everything is hunky dory.

BUT if you supply your reading(s) to your new supplier and they lose those readings or they don't believe those readings they will contact your old supplier and agree with them estimated readings which may or may not be accurate.

The latter is my problem at this time.

My new energy account with EDF is more expensive than my energy account with Scottish Power due to my 1 year fix with SP coming to an end. If the estimated meter readings show that I used more energy with SP than with EDF that will be in my favour and I won't challenge them. Therefore there could be a silver lining to the cloud.

PeterGr

It does not matter which day you take and submit the final / opening meter readings. Financially the difference of a day or two is small.


The process is that you provide opening meter readings to your new supplier. These are sent to an independent meter validation company who check that the readings provided are consistent with previous meter readings. If they are ok, the readings are passed to previous supplier to use as he final readings.. They produce your final bill / arrange a credit of direct debit payments if applicable.


It is possible for the meter validation company to set an estimated set of readings but this is unlikely if you have submitted regular readings through your contract.

System

It is often the case that industry comes back with estimated readings that are different from those supplied, why......?

A. Some people misread their meters.

B. Some people knock a few 00s of the reading when switching to a more expensive tariff.

In such cases, the two suppliers will chat and agree transfer readings. The alternative is raising an Agreed Readings Dispute which can take some weeks to resolve.

Streaky_Bacon

Thanks. I hadn't realised it would be so complex!

My current supplier only has estimated readings and actual readings by me (no actual readings taken by them).

Their estimates were always ridiculously small (less than 10kWh per month for electricity) so I always get a message saying "your reading is much bigger or smaller than we expected".

So, I'm not sure if they have a "validated" reading.

I last gave readings about 10 days ago.

The new supplier is quite a bit cheaper on electric and slightly more on gas, so it will be interesting to see what happens.

If a decision is made that results in a significant loss to me, can I appeal that?

System

Look at post 2. I have set out the dispute limits. All you have to do is to provide a photograph of your meter and ask the gaining supplier to raise an Agreed Readings Dispute. However, getting a resolution is not a quick process. If the discrepancy works in your favour, then say nothing. Your new supplier will only bill you the daily charge until your meter passes the opening reading.

Streaky_Bacon

Hengus wrote: »

Look at post 2. I have set out the dispute limits. All you have to do is to provide a photograph of your meter and ask the gaining supplier to raise an Agreed Readings Dispute. However, getting a resolution is not a quick process. If the discrepancy works in your favour, then say nothing. Your new supplier will only bill you the daily charge until your meter passes the opening reading.

Thanks Hengus. I wasn't sure if that was for a dispute between the suppliers, or involving the consumer.

Will just make sure that I take a picture at the time I read them.