Octopus Energy dragging feet over getting meter checked.

Chrysalis

Zandoni said:

Chrysalis said:

Zandoni said:

How inaccurate was your gas meter found to be?

It was so long ago I dont know the specifics, but it was large, as the bills reduced significantly. I went from bills of multiple 100s every quarter to under £50 if I remember right.

I know a lot about gas meter testing and it’s extremely rare to have any faults above a couple of percent.

So if you seemingly already knew the answer why did you ask?

Rare is not never, it was definitely a huge amount, which drawn my attention to the fault in the first place.

Also to correct you "it’s extremely rare to find any faults above a couple of percent." As meters are not routinely tested.

Zandoni

Chrysalis said:

Zandoni said:

Chrysalis said:

Zandoni said:

How inaccurate was your gas meter found to be?

It was so long ago I dont know the specifics, but it was large, as the bills reduced significantly. I went from bills of multiple 100s every quarter to under £50 if I remember right.

I know a lot about gas meter testing and it’s extremely rare to have any faults above a couple of percent.

So if you seemingly already knew the answer why did you ask?

Rare is not never, it was definitely a huge amount, which drawn my attention to the fault in the first place.

I’d like to know how they compensated you for the error that was found?

Chrysalis

Zandoni said:

Chrysalis said:

Zandoni said:

Chrysalis said:

Zandoni said:

How inaccurate was your gas meter found to be?

It was so long ago I dont know the specifics, but it was large, as the bills reduced significantly. I went from bills of multiple 100s every quarter to under £50 if I remember right.

I know a lot about gas meter testing and it’s extremely rare to have any faults above a couple of percent.

So if you seemingly already knew the answer why did you ask?

Rare is not never, it was definitely a huge amount, which drawn my attention to the fault in the first place.

I’d like to know how they compensated you for the error that was found?

On the gas meter?

The latest unpaid bill was written off, I wasnt charged the testing fee, and they replaced the meter free of charge.

Zandoni

Chrysalis said:

Zandoni said:

Chrysalis said:

Zandoni said:

Chrysalis said:

Zandoni said:

How inaccurate was your gas meter found to be?

It was so long ago I dont know the specifics, but it was large, as the bills reduced significantly. I went from bills of multiple 100s every quarter to under £50 if I remember right.

I know a lot about gas meter testing and it’s extremely rare to have any faults above a couple of percent.

So if you seemingly already knew the answer why did you ask?

Rare is not never, it was definitely a huge amount, which drawn my attention to the fault in the first place.

I’d like to know how they compensated you for the error that was found?

On the gas meter?

The latest unpaid bill was written off, I wasnt charged the testing fee, and they replaced the meter free of charge.

When a meter is disputed a new one is fitted and the old one is sent away for testing. I or one of my my few colleagues would have tested it for accuracy, leakage and mechanical errors on the the index, if a fault was found it was left unsealed and sent for repair if it was accurate and not too old I would reseal it and it was reused.
A certificate was issued to the consumer and to the gas supplier.

So I’m interested to know what your certificate said?
I believe the process has changed a bit now but you said it was a while ago.

Chrysalis

Zandoni said:

Chrysalis said:

Zandoni said:

Chrysalis said:

Zandoni said:

Chrysalis said:

Zandoni said:

How inaccurate was your gas meter found to be?

It was so long ago I dont know the specifics, but it was large, as the bills reduced significantly. I went from bills of multiple 100s every quarter to under £50 if I remember right.

I know a lot about gas meter testing and it’s extremely rare to have any faults above a couple of percent.

So if you seemingly already knew the answer why did you ask?

Rare is not never, it was definitely a huge amount, which drawn my attention to the fault in the first place.

I’d like to know how they compensated you for the error that was found?

On the gas meter?

The latest unpaid bill was written off, I wasnt charged the testing fee, and they replaced the meter free of charge.

When a meter is disputed a new one is fitted and the old one is sent away for testing. I or one of my my few colleagues would have tested it for accuracy, leakage and mechanical errors on the the index, if a fault was found it was left unsealed and sent for repair if it was accurate and not too old I would reseal it and it was reused.
A certificate was issued to the consumer and to the gas supplier.

So I’m interested to know what your certificate said?
I believe the process has changed a bit now but you said it was a while ago.

It was around 15 years ago, my gas bills (readings), were extremely high.  I was paying in excess of £300 every quarter (bear in mind this is in 200x era prices).  After a few bills I decided to question it as I had conversations with friends, who had bills at a fraction, and I had light gas usage (cooker is electric, and little central heating used).  The bill was frozen, the meter was removed, and I got a new meter which gave me quarterly bills at double digits instead of 300+.  The bill was eventually voided.  Due to how long ago it was I cannot give you exact specifics, this was way back when I was using who I think are called SSE.

In terms of certificates, I dont know remember anything, and the meter is no longer in place as it was changed when I had the smart maters fitted in March.  Although I do have photos taken when I took readings, so if a certificate is on the unit, I can check them.

Chrysalis

The current update on this is, someone is coming next week with a new IHD and I am told they will make sure its working before they leave.  After this the bill will be adjusted.

After that I will be switching to variable DD as well.

Zandoni

Chrysalis said:

Zandoni said:

Chrysalis said:

Zandoni said:

Chrysalis said:

Zandoni said:

Chrysalis said:

Zandoni said:

How inaccurate was your gas meter found to be?

It was so long ago I dont know the specifics, but it was large, as the bills reduced significantly. I went from bills of multiple 100s every quarter to under £50 if I remember right.

I know a lot about gas meter testing and it’s extremely rare to have any faults above a couple of percent.

So if you seemingly already knew the answer why did you ask?

Rare is not never, it was definitely a huge amount, which drawn my attention to the fault in the first place.

I’d like to know how they compensated you for the error that was found?

On the gas meter?

The latest unpaid bill was written off, I wasnt charged the testing fee, and they replaced the meter free of charge.

When a meter is disputed a new one is fitted and the old one is sent away for testing. I or one of my my few colleagues would have tested it for accuracy, leakage and mechanical errors on the the index, if a fault was found it was left unsealed and sent for repair if it was accurate and not too old I would reseal it and it was reused.
A certificate was issued to the consumer and to the gas supplier.

So I’m interested to know what your certificate said?
I believe the process has changed a bit now but you said it was a while ago.

It was around 15 years ago, my gas bills (readings), were extremely high.  I was paying in excess of £300 every quarter (bear in mind this is in 200x era prices).  After a few bills I decided to question it as I had conversations with friends, who had bills at a fraction, and I had light gas usage (cooker is electric, and little central heating used).  The bill was frozen, the meter was removed, and I got a new meter which gave me quarterly bills at double digits instead of 300+.  The bill was eventually voided.  Due to how long ago it was I cannot give you exact specifics, this was way back when I was using who I think are called SSE.

In terms of certificates, I dont know remember anything, and the meter is no longer in place as it was changed when I had the smart maters fitted in March.  Although I do have photos taken when I took readings, so if a certificate is on the unit, I can check them.

They may have not sent it in as an official dispute, if they did they would’ve warned you that you’d need to pay a fee if the meter was accurate.

Chrysalis

Zandoni said:

They may have not sent it in as an official dispute, if they did they would’ve warned you that you’d need to pay a fee if the meter was accurate.

As I said in the earlier post I had that warning.

Chrysalis

Ok a more detailed update.

The IHD replacement works, and compared to my two watt meters it has basically validated my previous calculations.  One watt meter is reading about 5% too high vs the meter. (so in my favour), the other very close but slightly higher.

The staff member who was assisting me gave an opinion that the bill was a joke, he had calculated it was saying I Was using over 30KwH a day, and I had the impression there would be an adjustment, however I then got a reply from someone else who gave the "meter readings can generate new higher bills because estimated can be too low" line.

So I rang up Octopus today to inform them where I stood, it was a civil polite call as I always am when communicating with people.

I have informed them I will make payments under duress towards that outstanding bill as a good will thing and to ensure I dont get a bailiff at my door in the future, my existing direct debits were left on anyway so new bills have continued t be paid.

I also informed them, that all the data I have looked at including one of their team agreeing with me makes no sense, the numbers dont lie.

Average of 6.2 KwH a day on smart meter since install.

Estimated readings for the last 6 month period was 9.4 KwH a day.

Usage as measured by the actual reading from the last actual reading was 30+ KwH a day.

This has been pushed to the billing team (again?), if they bounce back with a vague "but its normally right", I will request deadlock letter.

I hope now I have finally disclosed the 30 KwH number here people understand how mental this is what Octopus are asking me to accept.

The bill is already 40% paid via credit balance in addition to the extra payments I will be making.

As a reminder I agreed to pay the £80 testing fee and they had almost 2 months to arrange a test.

Chrysalis

Complaint has been submitted, they are basically just sitting on it, the complaint also states if their stance is the same along the lines of "we have no reasonable explanation how you were using average of 30 KwH a day but because its usually right with other people you should accept bill"  Then I want a deadlock letter so I can escalate it.

I have also documented the requests for a meter check, dates etc, the excuses made to try and convince me to change my mind and the inaction (one guy told me the check would cost me much more than £80).