Problem with energy switch

RichardP1709

Previously I was on an Economy 7 plan and I have now switched over to a new supplier. When I switched I believed I was switching over to another Economy 7 plan but I have switched over to a standard variable rate plan with a single tariff rate. To be honest I didn't look at the price per KWH and didn't spot that there was just one rate. I didn't get any confirmation by email either to tell me what I had signed up to.

Prior to the switch the supplier asked me for meter readings. I queried with them why they were only asking for a single reading and not the dual reading. They told me their online system could only take a single reading and so I gave them both readings over the phone and was told everything was okay.

This has resulted in much higher bills as I use storage heaters as these are obviously expensive to run overnight and I am paying around 10p a KWH more than I should be to charge the storage heaters. 

I have phoned up OVO who the plan is with and they said my meter is an Economy 7 meter reading but they are unable to do anything over the phone due to some issues with the meter. They have escalated this and said it will take up to 6 weeks to get an answer on whether I can switch over to an Economy 7 plan.

Luckily now I can switch the heating off as it is warm but I really want to get this sorted as I won't be able to afford the heating in the winter. Is there anything I can do?

Gerry1

Welcome to the forum.

Forget phoning, follow Ovo's complaints procedure and keep it all in writing, preferably by letter with a free Certificate of Posting.

Tell them that the national database shows that you have an E7 meter and therefore they should be billing at E7 rates unless you specifically asked otherwise.

Instruct them to charge at E7 rates backdated to the start of the contract and complain that six weeks for a decision is far too long.  Ask them for a deadlock letter to be sent by return if they are unwilling to co-operate.

Go to the Ombudsman upon receipt of the deadlock letter or after eight weeks if they don't respond.  And don't forget to come back and tell us the result !