Bill Eon for my time?

macman

The supplier is only required to read the meter every 2 years. All intermediate reads are down to you. But if you'd rather be billed on estimated reads, that's your prerogative.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

shagzdan wrote: »

Hi there,
Not sure if anyone has ever billed their energy company for giving meter readings but am thinking I might have a crack.


Background info.

We moved into a brand new house Jan 2018 (complete with Elec/Gas smart meters) and in March we received a massive bill for the first quarter.

When I questioned the bill, E.on said the bill was a combination of actual and estimate! I frowned and sent an email questioning why I should be paying for energy before I moved in to the property but nobody could answer.


Shopping around for a better tariff I was unable to switch to a smart meter option because of a meter issue at our property.

I called E.on and told them that of the two smart meters fitted only one was giving a proper reading, they concurred this and said there was nothing to be done as the readings relied on local phone coverage so their hands are tied until it gets better.

They told me that they can get an electric meter reading from my house but not a gas reading! even though the meters are next to each other, umm..


This raises the question of legitimacy of the readings provided by combination and I can't help feeling that I am being diddled somewhere.

Obviously I feel a bit peeved as I can't seem to get on to a cheaper tariff so am locked in with E.on for the time being.

My question is, who's responsible for the meter sending the readings? and if I am to give meter readings as customer is there any reason I can't bill E.on for me effectively doing their job to ensure that they are billing me correctly?


Quick tip re customer services..

After several roundabout / passed / dropped calls, I decided to communicate through Resolver. Eventually after nearly 2 months my questions have been partially answered.


Thanks in advance.

shagzdan wrote: »

Hi and thanks for the reply.
I gave them a set of readings, one from my landlord and one from the actual meters, they varied quite a bit and adjustments were made in my favour

My point is, if E.on can only part guess at what I am using, how can I be billed fairly.

More to the point,because they cannot provide a smart meter reading for which I am forced to do, I feel I am effectively being denied a tariff open to other E.on customers, as my supplier's lack of provision for my Dual fuel tariff (contract) isn't being fulfilled by them.

Hmm.

shagzdan wrote: »

Not sure whats being implied here as I don't drink. Hmm..

Anyway, what's so wrong with the idea of billing a company to do what is effectively their job of accountancy and / stock taking.

After all.
The energy firms who don't employ people to read meter are saving huge sums of cash by making their customers responsible for their data collection!, that is a billable service in the public sector so, why not?

Hello shagzdan and I'm sorry your smart meters aren't working as they should.

The mobile phone signal is important as this allows the meters to communicate with each other and us. It maybe the area shows as having a strong enough signal but local circumstances water it down sufficiently to make it unusable.

I suspect your smart meters are the earlier SMETS1. We've started installing SMETS2 meters and, later this year, will begin upgrading most of our existing SMETS1 meters so they're managed in the same way as SMETS2. Among other things, this will help sort communication issues similar to those you describe. These new meters/upgrades aren't available everywhere yet. It might be worth having a talk to our smart meter teams to see if we're able to do something now. If not, we can register your interest and will be in touch once the new technology is available in your area. This will take away the need for you to read your meters.

In the meantime, we're happy to accept a customer's readings and provide several ways to send them. These include through our website, phone app or Live Chat service; by phone or text, email or letter. Also, if you've registered with our website, you can create your own bills by popping in readings and choosing 'request a bill.' It's a great way to keep on top of the ongoing usage and make sure bills are accurate.

As macman says, we only need to read the meters once every two years although we do try to do this more frequently. If you do receive an estimated bill, we'll be happy to rebill to actual readings so you're only paying for what you use.

I don't understand why you feel you're locked in with us and are unable to switch tariff or supplier. Smart meters don't stop you from doing this and I'd pop your usage in kWh on to the independent Price Comparison sites. These will show the options available both with us and with the other suppliers.

Hope this gives you a few pointers shagzdan. Let me know if you need any more information as happy to help.

Malc

shagzdan

Thanks to all for their comments.

I'm not quite getting why this is such a 'silly' idea. after all...

I understand that companies are only supposed to read meters every two years so, where does that leave us who have been in a new property for less than 12 months? if a base reading is wrong then, potentially I could be overpaying.

I'd also argue that the mobile phone signal is a poor comeback, as the information could be gathered by fixed landline (as happens in Germany, Sweden, et.al) but UK power companies are reluctant to look into this.

It is not unusual for people to bill for their time is it?

I've got to say that this forum is very frugal, not only on money but also on consumer issues but I will continue the struggle.

shagzdan

Hope this gives you a few pointers shagzdan. Let me know if you need any more information as happy to help.

Malc

Cheers for the chat Malc

Just a couple of points.

On contacting a number of other power firms Ovo , Spark etc.. about a smart meter tariff , the meters must be working (which they aren't) which is why I feel locked in as I can't swap to a similar tariff.


Why are E.on still installing old tech into new houses when govt directives have advised smart meters (which work) to be in place by all power companies before 2020?

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2010-to-2015-government-policy-household-energy/2010-to-2015-government-policy-household-energy

Maybe I simply misunderstand the situation.

Thanks again, will keep updates as to whats going on.


S

[Deleted User]

waamo wrote: »

To be fair it's not the most stupid idea mooted here. I recall late last year there was one that really made me laugh. This ones just an mild tut and eye roll.

Maybe not the most stupid but it must be up there somewhere not to mention it's full of inaccuracies.

Ourpower had fitted smart meters here before we moved in and like any normal thinking person I immediately gave them the meter readings. I changed to an EDF dual fuel tariff (which is still my best option 10 months later) despite the meters being 1st gen and therefore no longer smart (you might say a bit like the OP )

I only occasionally give meter readings just to make sure we're still on track for the DD payment level.

Undervalued

shagzdan wrote: »

Hope this gives you a few pointers shagzdan. Let me know if you need any more information as happy to help.

Malc

Cheers for the chat Malc

Just a couple of points.

On contacting a number of other power firms Ovo , Spark etc.. about a smart meter tariff , the meters must be working (which they aren't) which is why I feel locked in as I can't swap to a similar tariff.


Why are E.on still installing old tech into new houses when govt directives have advised smart meters (which work) to be in place by all power companies before 2020?

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2010-to-2015-government-policy-household-energy/2010-to-2015-government-policy-household-energy

Maybe I simply misunderstand the situation.

Thanks again, will keep updates as to whats going on.


S

As I understand it the requirement is to offer a smart meter to all homes by 2020. There is no obligation for the householder to accept. In any case, given that we are now in 2019 and only a quarter of homes have smart meters, there is no way that the other three quarters of the UK can be serviced in that time.

Given that they work by radio signals there are obviously going to be some locations where they won't work.

As I understand it, before long (if it is not already) it will be mandatory to only offer meters that will continue to work if the householder changes supplier. However, even that requirement seems to keep getting put back!

So at the moment I don't think there is any right to demand a smart meter, only to request one if they are available in your area.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

shagzdan wrote: »

Hope this gives you a few pointers shagzdan. Let me know if you need any more information as happy to help.

Malc

Cheers for the chat Malc

Just a couple of points.

On contacting a number of other power firms Ovo , Spark etc.. about a smart meter tariff , the meters must be working (which they aren't) which is why I feel locked in as I can't swap to a similar tariff.


Why are E.on still installing old tech into new houses when govt directives have advised smart meters (which work) to be in place by all power companies before 2020?

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2010-to-2015-government-policy-household-energy/2010-to-2015-government-policy-household-energy

Maybe I simply misunderstand the situation.

Thanks again, will keep updates as to whats going on.


S

You're welcome shagzdan. Happy to help.

Don't know about other suppliers as I can only comment on things to do with E.ON. All the tariffs we currently have on offer are available to customers with either type of credit meter - smart or conventional. Some of our tariffs do say that customers need to agree to being contacted about smart meters. If it turns out they're not eligible, they can stay on the tariff.

We started fitting SMETS2 smart meters last year and are putting more and more in. Additionally, many of the older SMETS1 meters will start to be remotely upgraded later this year so they're managed in the same way as SMETS2.

Hope this is of interest shagzdan.

Malc

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Undervalued wrote: »

As I understand it the requirement is to offer a smart meter to all homes by 2020. There is no obligation for the householder to accept. In any case, given that we are now in 2019 and only a quarter of homes have smart meters, there is no way that the other three quarters of the UK can be serviced in that time.

Given that they work by radio signals there are obviously going to be some locations where they won't work.

As I understand it, before long (if it is not already) it will be mandatory to only offer meters that will continue to work if the householder changes supplier. However, even that requirement seems to keep getting put back!

So at the moment I don't think there is any right to demand a smart meter, only to request one if they are available in your area.

Spot on Undervalued. There's no obligation to have smart meters. They're optional and customers can turn down our offers to have them at any time.


Malc

dogshome

Hmmm
Leccy meters signal is OK, but the gas meter's isn't ?


The way Smart meters work is that it is the the Leccy meter that communicates the readings to the supplier - It's got mains power to produce a strong signal



However the Gas meter is battery powered and sends it's weaker signal to the Leccy meter for onward transmission.
It's possible that there is something the site that blocks the Gas signal to the Leccy meter, but there could also be a fault with the gas meter - Keep a close eye on it's readings