Disputed Opening Gas Meter Read

Possetjohn

Hello all,

It is a long time since I have posted on this forum

This is more of a question on how this works and why it happen!!

As a background I have been with Octopus energy for about 3 years since I was moved there when IRESA collapsed.

I have been on the variable tariff for all that time, which is unusual for me and while I could have saved a bit by switching, it would not have been that much.

In this time the customer service and accuracy of bills from Octopus was excellent, which kind of persuaded me to stay.

However in April we had smart meters installed and from then on things seem to have gone wrong.

Anyway they sent a letter saying they were putting the tariffs up on 12th May, (Flexible Octopus June 2018 v1) which I was kind of expecting and was OK with.

However in the June Bill they changed the tariff name again (Flexible Octopus May 2021 v1) and increased the rates again.

When I complained that they had not informed me in advance as they are obliged to, I was treated like an imbecile saying it is a variable tariff and they can raise prices any time they like. Fine but not the point I was making!!!

Suitably hacked off I did some comparisons and initiated a switch to Avro Energy with a 12 month fix.

The start date was the 5th August and I gave Avro the opening readings from midnight on the 4th August and then everything seemed to be going fine. Avro confirmed the switch Had gone ahead successfully.

Then I got some weird bills from Octopus. Firstly, as I was leaving they put me back on the old tariff and charged me again for 23rd June 2021 - 6th July 2021 under the old tariff neglecting to credit me for the same period charge under the new tariff (Flexible Octopus May 2021 v1)!! Also the electricity Bill only went to 3rd August not the 4th. Gas only until 7th July!

I pointed this out to them and eventually got another bill on 19th August correcting the errors ,and electricity up to the close but still no final Gas bill.

Then on Saturday 21st August I got a final Bill with a gas reading of 270m3. I found this a little strange as the actual reading was 220.635m3 at midnight on the 4th August. Even now the meter is only reading a bit over 230m3. So as their phone lines are closed I sent them a strong email.

I called them this morning and now it seems the Independent Data Collector has got involved and come up with this reading of 270m3!!

Obviously I have challenged this reading as it is nearly 50m3 more than we had used!

So who are these guys? Are they working in caves somewhere with chisels and stone tablets. It feels very stone age!!

How can I have a smart gas meter which is giving half-hourly readings to Octopus and this Neanderthal comes up with a figure like this.

Surely this defeats the whole point of having smart meters??!!

I would be very interested in any comments form anyone who know how this system works

Note after Advice from Gerry1 I have reposted this in energy

molerat

All switch readings go through this independent process.  As the reading is within 1200 kWh / 109 cu m of your reading you do not have the right to challenge the reading as it is within the tolerance specified in the energy acts.  Makes a mockery of the whole smart metering program though.  I assume both suppliers are using the same reading ?

[Deleted User]

Blame the new supplier as it manages the switching process. Avro chooses not to have access to your smart meter readings so to all intents and purposes, your meter is now dumb. Ask Avro to raise an Agreed Readings Dispute.

Possetjohn

molerat said:

All switch readings go through this independent process.  As the reading is within 1200 kWh / 39 cu m of your reading you do not have the right to challenge the reading as it is within the tolerance specified in the energy acts.  Makes a mockery of the whole smart metering program though.  I assume both suppliers are using the same reading ?

Not sure. I did not hear from Avro that they have disputed the reading. However have emailed them tonight with a photo of the actual meter readings on the IHD at midnight on the 4th August. I checked online on my account and the opening readings are as I submitted them. Will not see a bill until after 5th of September. However if the the Independent data collectors figure is used they will loose out on charging for for approx 50m3 of gas!! I will ensure the same reading is used by both suppliers!!

Possetjohn

Dolor said:

Blame the new supplier as it manages the switching process. Avro chooses not to have access to your smart meter readings so to all intents and purposes, your meter is now dumb. Ask Avro to raise an Agreed Readings Dispute.

Hmm. Have already initiated a dispute with Octopus since they issued the bill. Maybe that was the wrong way to do it. Why do you say Avro chooses not to have access to your smart meter readings? I have informed them they are smart meters, they are second generation and their website says they should be able to use them.

[Deleted User]

Possetjohn said:

Dolor said:

Blame the new supplier as it manages the switching process. Avro chooses not to have access to your smart meter readings so to all intents and purposes, your meter is now dumb. Ask Avro to raise an Agreed Readings Dispute.

Hmm. Have already initiated a dispute with Octopus since they issued the bill. Maybe that was the wrong way to do it. Why do you say Avro chooses not to have access to your smart meter readings? I have informed them they are smart meters, they are second generation and their website says they should be able to use them.

Reading various posts on this forum it would seem that Avro lacks the secure adapter software needed to pull data from smart meters. Suppliers have two options: one, develop their own adapter which has to be approved by The DCC (the network provider) or pay a third-party to pull the data on their behalf: companies like TMA/CGI provide this service. The other possibility is that they have access to an approved adapter but have yet to link it to their billing systems. 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6274523/avro-energy-smart-meters-whats-the-point#latest

MWT

Possetjohn said:

Hmm. Have already initiated a dispute with Octopus since they issued the bill. Maybe that was the wrong way to do it.

Unfortunately, yes, that was the wrong way around.

The important point is that both losing and gaining suppliers should be using the same reading, so as long as Avro and Octopus both use the same 'wrong' reading you are only paying for the energy once.

As long as the adjusted reading is within tolerance, which yours is, then you cannot challenge it.