Smart Meter - Scottish Power enforcing estimated bill

Gizmund

We moved into new address in Nov 2021 complete with Smart Meter (never had one before) electric only as we are oil fired. Registered with Scottish Power sat back and awaited first bill. We received our first bill for 9 weeks for £441!!! (Estimated) we called to ask why estimated when we have a smart meter to be told there is an issue with communication currently with these type of meters and therefore no readings had been received therefore they estimated what they thought we would use! After some debate they agreed to cancel that bill and monitor us over 6 days - my partner did not think that those 6 days my daughter was staying from Uni and is up all night using all manner of gadgets therefore not a realistic period to use it came out at 17.25kwh per day since she left it averages 13.25 Scottish Power are refusing to amend the £441 bill now as they state it is in within there threshold not to change it??? But it works out a huge amount over what we have actually used based on the 13.25. There is only myself and my partner here we have oil fired heating no electric heaters apart from the standard kettle toaster and washing machine we have nothing running hardly at all TV is on a couple of hours in the evening. Chap we spoke to previously asked us if we have a hot tub and admitted their stats do not match ours in any form. I am at a loss how they can charge us when they have no readings, happy to pay of course but would expect average from a longer period and when my daughter was not here as the norm as she does not live here! Any advice? I wondered if anyone has come across this type of issue. We have enough worries currently without having to battle with Scottish Power and worry about our credit ratoings which are excellent as obviously we have not yet paid it as we think it is grossly wrong. 

Alter_ego

Why not send the correct readings?

TheMilkmansDad

so have you given them meter readings?

When you moved in and registered with them - did you confirm moving date and provide mater reading? Have you given regular meter readings since or have you relied on the Smart meter passing this info on?

Either way - what is the estimate they have used for the latest bill and was the opening reading actual or estimate? How do these readings vary from what the meter currently says?

TBF £441 for 9 weeks seems pretty average for this time of year - which tariff are you on? 

matelodave

Even though you've got a smart meter you should always check the bills and read the meter every single month and make sure that they tally. If they don't, then send in the reading and get the bill amended. Did you actually give them a meter reading when you moved in?

Are you confusing your direct debit which is a monthly payment towards the cost of your leccy and is usually based on a random guess on how much you'll use.. Whereas the the bill should be based on what you've actually used and therefore should be correct right down to the nearest penny..

If you dont send in readings or check that the bill is using the smart meter readings (many dont) then you'll get stuck with estimates and random guesses.