Another Eon conundrum

Brie

I managed to switch to Eon just as all the firms were collapsing and got on to a 2 year fix before they all disappeared.  Which is nice.  But as I'm fairly new to them I'm still getting used to their set up.

So they send me an email monthly to remind me to submit readings which I do if I am able.  I did one in Nov, missed Dec and then did one last week on the 12th.  

I received a bill this week outlining what they are charging me and what I am paying - all is as expected except for one thing.  For the gas they have used my reading submitted on 12th Jan.  But on my electricity they acknowledge the reading on the 12th but based the total on an estimate on the 16th.  Even stranger is that while actual readings show use to be 2032 units between 3rd Oct and 12th Jan they have estimated we used 307 in 4 days!   So equating 4 days usage to that of 2 - 3 weeks!!

Is that common with them??

readings in case you're interested

3rd Oct 2021 37813.0 Opening reading

14th Nov 2021 38455.0 Customer reading

12th Jan 2022 39845.0 Customer reading

16th Jan 2022 40252.6 Estimated reading

Energy Used 2439.6 kWh @ 18.87p/kWh £460.45

EssexHebridean

I'd start giving them readings weekly for a few months if it were me. 

wakeupalarm

Just to keep things simple, wait until your actual reading is above their estimated reading and then submit another actual reading.  Probably you will be into the start of February.  As above you can then give weekly readings if Eon permit you to enter readings more then once.

Brie

EssexHebridean said:

I'd start giving them readings weekly for a few months if it were me. 

Probably a sensible idea but the electrics meter is (of course!!) in a cupboard within a cupboard and requires removing all the outer cupboards contents before opening the second door and trying to see the reading while on all fours holding a torch in one's mouth.  Which is why I don't do it often.  Fortunately the gas meter isn't an issue to read or on their bills.  (it would be that way, wouldn't it?)

I'm wondering what would happen if I had a smart meter?  Can I insist?  Would they charge for installation??  And would it help???  My alternative is getting someone out regularly to read the meter for me which I doubt is feasible more than a couple of times a year.

Brie

wakeupalarm said:

Just to keep things simple, wait until your actual reading is above their estimated reading and then submit another actual reading.  Probably you will be into the start of February.  As above you can then give weekly readings if Eon permit you to enter readings more then once.

I wonder what they would do if I submitted readings monthly that remained below their 16th Jan reading??  (would be fibbing of course) (suppose that's illegal......)

Astria

Brie said:

wakeupalarm said:

Just to keep things simple, wait until your actual reading is above their estimated reading and then submit another actual reading.  Probably you will be into the start of February.  As above you can then give weekly readings if Eon permit you to enter readings more then once.

I wonder what they would do if I submitted readings monthly that remained below their 16th Jan reading??  (would be fibbing of course) (suppose that's illegal......)

You do understand that all energy companies validate the numbers that you enter ? They don't just blindly accept them. The readings will just be rejected if it was wildly less than what they estimated and they'd ask for another reading. If you kept giving the same reading they'll send out a meter reader.

If your tariff isn't changing any time soon it's not worth arguing with an estimated reading as you'll use it eventually.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

it's an estimated reading, quite normal to contact them with the correct reading and get bill sorted.

Be a good idea to give them a reading at least every month, and set up a wee spreadsheet to keep track of usage and payments.

Brie

Astria said:

You do understand that all energy companies validate the numbers that you enter ? They don't just blindly accept them. The readings will just be rejected if it was wildly less than what they estimated and they'd ask for another reading. If you kept giving the same reading they'll send out a meter reader.

If your tariff isn't changing any time soon it's not worth arguing with an estimated reading as you'll use it eventually.

No I get the fact that the energy will be used eventually and I don't intend to mislead them.  But I just wondered why they would come up with some massively random amount way in excess to anything we might use.  Even the yearly estimate of 7000 or so units wouldn't support the number they have come up with.  

QrizB

Brie said:

I'm wondering what would happen if I had a smart meter?  Can I insist?  Would they charge for installation??  And would it help???  My alternative is getting someone out regularly to read the meter for me which I doubt is feasible more than a couple of times a year.

Energy companies are falling over themselves to fit smart meters. And fitting is free. Once installed and operational you'll only need to read the meter for your own reassurance.

If you ask for one, they'll almost certainly offer to fit it.