opening readings referred to Central Gas database

sevenonine

When switching to a new fuel supplier, has anybody heard of a gas opening reading being referred for validation to the National Gas Database and if so is there a link to this database. I've never heard of such a notion that the database can be asked to work out whether an opening reading is valid or not without any knowledge of the person and his/her circumstances. This is what my new supplier is asking me to believe. I've never had my own readings disbelieved or even another reading being used to replace mine and why I should have to accept this.

ianto11

Standard industry practice, reads have to be validated and agreed by both losing and gaining supplier.
People have been known to "adjust" readings to benefit from the advantageous tariff

heatherw_01

Yep I have had this happen to me

[Deleted User]

Have a read of the blog which explains how the industry works on opening readings https://octopus.energy/blog/secret-life-opening-meter-reading/

This is how it works for everyone so you have to accept it. It is to prevent fraud and is not personal.

Cardew

As stated above, fraudulent meter readings are the background to the need for validation.


Posters on this forum have openly encouraged people to 'adjust' their closing meter readings as a form of money saving - i.e. fraud.


If their are valid reasons for a low reading e.g. house unoccupied for some weeks, or a high reading e.g. 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards staying as house guests! it is possible to get them to change the reading.

bristolleedsfan

Cardew wrote: »

If their are valid reasons for a low reading e.g. house unoccupied for some weeks, or a high reading e.g. 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards staying as house guests! it is possible to get them to change the reading.[/QUOTE


I organised a switch to start 5 days after moving into the property.


Independent estimate for switch date was 25 Gas Units less than it actually was when I moved into the property 5 days earlier


Bulb new supplier said "The estimate we have is too similar to the reading you submitted, so we can't send a correction to your old supplier to change this figure as they would reject this"


British Gas the previous supplier has happily accepted higher figure that I gave Bulb on switch over day 1733 it has also changed opening reading that I gave it when I moved in which B.G had previously accepted when it issued its first final bill from 1729 to 1701 based on Independent estimate that Bulb gave it so British Gas are having it both ways, currently I am being billed for 28 units @1.33 a unit plus VAT that was used before I moved in.

Cardew

bristolleedsfan wrote: »

Cardew wrote: »

If their are valid reasons for a low reading e.g. house unoccupied for some weeks, or a high reading e.g. 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards staying as house guests! it is possible to get them to change the reading.[/QUOTE


British Gas are having it both ways, currently I am being billed for 28 units @1.33 a unit plus VAT that was used before I moved in.

If prices were falling as they were a little while ago you would be in pocket. Indeed other validated meter readings might enable the customer to show a 'profit' on the deal.



I accept your point and if you were to make a fuss I am sure either BG or Bulb would compensate you for the 50pence you have lost.

macman

How is the validation process actually done? Does anybody know of someone who works (or has worked) as a validator?
I can't recall ever seeing such a job vacancy advertised, but, if this is done manually, there must be thousands of them!