Negative Energy Estimate when switching

RudolphHucker

Hello,

I've been with Octopus since 2018, and have supplied monthly readings throughout that time.

I switched to GreenEnergy on 3/11/20, and as instructed by Green, I submitted readings to both Octopus & Green on 1/11/20. Both companies show the readings I submitted on 1 November, but on 3 November when the change took place, the Electric reading is shown the same as on 1 November, but the Gas reading shows as an estimate which is 5000 units LESS than the reading submitted 2 days earlier (and 2000 units lower than when I started with Octopus).

Neither company can explain why an estimate has been used.

I have just submitted my readings to Green, and it appears I have used 6000 units of gas in my first month.

As it stands, it appears that I am in credit with Octopus for around £1600, whilst I now owe Green around £1500 for the gas I appear to have used in the past month(but was paid for to Octopus).

 I have emailed both companies asking them to rectify this obvious error, but neither seems willing or able to do so.

Has anyone else had this issue, and who do I contact to escalate this?

RudolphHucker

Correction: It appears I have used 5100 units of gas in my first month, but still ridiculous.

Gerry1

Could be the Mysterious Third Party?

Opening reading validation process

My opening reading is wrong

RudolphHucker

Thanks Gerry, I looked at the first link:

Last Reading + Estimated Usage = Estimate Opening Reading

• The lower bound is the last meter reading taken. Your meter should never run backwards, so your opening reading should never be lower than a previous reading.

Looks like the Mysterious Third Party hasn't understood this!

Petriix

There's a simple industry process for disputing the reading, as long as it's above a certain threshold (which it clearly is in this case). Green should raise the dispute with the correct reading, and Octopus should be more than happy to agree.

[Deleted User]

The industry agreed limit for a gas dispute is 1200kWhs. Your new supplier is responsible for handing the switch so it will normally initiate an ARD. It can take no time, but it can also take some weeks. Were you providing your old supplier with regular meter readings and were these being used for billing purposes?

RudolphHucker

[Deleted User] said:

. Were you providing your old supplier with regular meter readings and were these being used for billing purposes?

Yes, Octopus sent a request every month, and I sent them readings which they accepted without question.

I followed the links provided by Gerry1I understand these readings are stored on a central database maintained by Xoserve, so the error seems to lie with the data collector who validates the changeover readings.

[Deleted User]

Should be easily solved. FWiW, if the estimate is in your favour, (ie; you have switched to a more expensive tariff) then I would not bother with an ARD. The new supplier can only charge the DSC until the actual meter reading passes the opening read.