Supposedly HUGE spike in electricity usage

Goldwing1

So,
I have solar panels. They work quietly away earning money and saving me electricity.
I also have smart meters (I know, but we all make mistakes). What that also means is that I've fallen out of the habit of checking my meter readings.
Today I thought I'd check how things were going and WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
During August the smart website (Scottish Power) says my electricity usage went up from a normal summer usage of around 188kWh per month to 616kWh for August only! It went back down again in September. This is almost double my monthly winter electricity usage of 328kWh when we're using more and the solar panels aren't doing much.
There was no corresponding increase in gas usage and, to make matters worse, we were away on holiday for a week as well. 
I have e-mailed Scottish Power this morning but I'm unsure of my ground and how I can identify how this happened.
Has anyone else experienced spikes like this and what did you do please?

JohnB47

Goldwing1 said:

So,
I have solar panels. They work quietly away earning money and saving me electricity.
I also have smart meters (I know, but we all make mistakes). What that also means is that I've fallen out of the habit of checking my meter readings.
Today I thought I'd check how things were going and WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
During August the smart website (Scottish Power) says my electricity usage went up from a normal summer usage of around 188kWh per month to 616kWh for August only! It went back down again in September. This is almost double my monthly winter electricity usage of 328kWh when we're using more and the solar panels aren't doing much.
There was no corresponding increase in gas usage and, to make matters worse, we were away on holiday for a week as well. 
I have e-mailed Scottish Power this morning but I'm unsure of my ground and how I can identify how this happened.
Has anyone else experienced spikes like this and what did you do please?

Well, the obvious thing is to take a meter reading now and compare it to the last actual meter reading, then work out your actual usage over that period. If it seems normal overall, then no problem. Did you leave anything switched on , by mistake, when you went on holiday?

Goldwing1

I've taken meter readings and everything seems back to normal. We didn't leave anything switched on, we can be certain of that because we turn off the hot water and wander around the house checking everything else is off apart from essentials (Fridge, freezer etc). We didn't have an "oh hell" moment when we got back either. The thing is, even if we had left something on, with the solar panels normally taking most of the load during the hours of sunlight when we are home, what on earth could cause that sort of metered drain? 

[Deleted User]

It’s possible the smart meter stopped sending meter readings temporarily. 

 This could have meant estimated readings were used? Then once it started sending meter readings again this has brought your account up to date with actual usage?

Can you see from any statements on your account if actual or estimated readings were used?

macman

Give us the actual readings and dates, and whether actuals or estimates.

Goldwing1

I really should have read everything. There's still an issue but not what I thought. As requested, recent actual meter readings are;

9th April – 29th June          Start reading 8132            End reading 8690              Used 558kWh

30th June – 19th Sept        Start reading 8690            End reading 9187              Used 497kWh 

Note that the September bill says 497kWh and is lower than the June reading. However, when I look at the energy usage chart (Attached), it says I used 616kWh in August alone which clearly bears no relationship to the bill! 

I think I can now calm down a bit although I'll still be interested to learn how the supposed usage in August alone is higher than the entire bill for June - September. I only discovered this because I was asked for the actual readings so thankyou for making me check.

theoretica

Could the usage in some weird way have added what you paid for + what the solar panels generated?

Robin9

Have you done a 12 months comparison ?

Goldwing1

There is no issue with the solar panels and last year's figures are fine. As I have now discovered, this is a reporting issue and not a metering issue.

Goldwing1

I received a reply from Scottish Power;
"The data shown in the app or in the online account is sometimes inaccurate as it uses estimated data and projected readings and cost into calculation and so I would request you to ignore the same. For the most accurate data, I would request you to refer to the bills as they show the correct data and I would like to assure you again that we bill you according to the readings given and not the data shown in the app."
In other words, ignore all of the "helpful" analysis we show you.