SSE/OVO bill am I being unreasonable?

sammyjammy

I am billed and pay quarterly for gas.  This bill was for 91 days, 44 days when I was on a fixed rate and 47 days when I was on the standard rate.  I am and have been on a smart meter for the whole period but they have estimated the reading for the 22 Jan when the fixed rate finished.  Although I question why I am more annoyed that they haven't estimated it fairly.

The number of days in fixed tariff was 44 days, they estimated 67 units

The number of days on variable tariff was 47 days, they estimated 93 units

Surely what they should have done was 44 days 77 units   and 47 days 83 units?

I know its only 10 units but when they standard rate is over 4 times the fixed rate!

[Deleted User]

sammyjammy said:

I am billed and pay quarterly for gas.  This bill was for 91 days, 44 days when I was on a fixed rate and 47 days when I was on the standard rate.  I am and have been on a smart meter for the whole period but they have estimated the reading for the 22 Jan when the fixed rate finished.  Although I question why I am more annoyed that they haven't estimated it fairly.

The number of days in fixed tariff was 44 days, they estimated 67 units

The number of days on variable tariff was 47 days, they estimated 93 units

Surely what they should have done was 44 days 77 units   and 47 days 83 units?

I know its only 10 units but when they standard rate is over 4 times the fixed rate!

What profile is your smart meter on? It is possible that the supplier cannot access your smart meter reading for the tariff change day: hence, the use of an industry estimate.

I cannot comment in detail on your days versus units as there is no way to tell from your post whether the supplier is right or wrong.

If it is 10 units, then the cost to you is 10 (new unit rate - old unit rate).

Robin9

sammyjammy said:

I am billed and pay quarterly for gas.  This bill was for 91 days, 44 days when I was on a fixed rate and 47 days when I was on the standard rate.  I am and have been on a smart meter for the whole period but they have estimated the reading for the 22 Jan when the fixed rate finished.  Although I question why I am more annoyed that they haven't estimated it fairly.

The number of days in fixed tariff was 44 days, they estimated 67 units

The number of days on variable tariff was 47 days, they estimated 93 units

Surely what they should have done was 44 days 77 units   and 47 days 83 units?

I know its only 10 units but when they standard rate is over 4 times the fixed rate!

Are you talking m3 or kWh ?

Alnat1

It's a maximum difference of a couple of quid. I know it's your £2 but it's hardly an amount to make a huge fuss out of.

Why didn't you put in a reading yourself on the day the fix ended? It could be that their "estimate" was actually correct, if you didn't take a reading yourself then you can't really complain as you have no proof it wasn't.

sammyjammy

Robin9 said:

sammyjammy said:

I am billed and pay quarterly for gas.  This bill was for 91 days, 44 days when I was on a fixed rate and 47 days when I was on the standard rate.  I am and have been on a smart meter for the whole period but they have estimated the reading for the 22 Jan when the fixed rate finished.  Although I question why I am more annoyed that they haven't estimated it fairly.

The number of days in fixed tariff was 44 days, they estimated 67 units

The number of days on variable tariff was 47 days, they estimated 93 units

Surely what they should have done was 44 days 77 units   and 47 days 83 units?

I know its only 10 units but when they standard rate is over 4 times the fixed rate!

Are you talking m3 or kWh ?

metric units so m3

sammyjammy

Alnat1 said:

It's a maximum difference of a couple of quid. I know it's your £2 but it's hardly an amount to make a huge fuss out of.

Why didn't you put in a reading yourself on the day the fix ended? It could be that their "estimate" was actually correct, if you didn't take a reading yourself then you can't really complain as you have no proof it wasn't.

Who said I was making a huge fuss?  I have smart meters, why would I take a reading?  If its estimate then its not going to be correct is it?  If I have no proof it wasn't then they have no proof it was.  

Please remember you're on a money saving forum.

MikeJXE

Having dealt with both SSE and OVO I wouldn't rely on them for a reading at a price change point or end of month. 

I was on smart meter with both suppliers  yet regularly checked and photographed my meters and compared on their websites 

Thankfully have moved home and  now with Octopus, still take my own readings though. You can't be too sure 

sammyjammy

MikeJXE said:

Having dealt with both SSE and OVO I wouldn't rely on them for a reading at a price change point or end of month. 

I was on smart meter with both suppliers  yet regularly checked and photographed my meters and compared on their websites 

Thankfully have moved home and  now with Octopus, still take my own readings though. You can't be too sure 

Good to know for the future, does make a mockery of the whole smart meter fiasco though!  I tried so hard to not have one for so long!!!

MikeJXE

sammyjammy said:

MikeJXE said:

Having dealt with both SSE and OVO I wouldn't rely on them for a reading at a price change point or end of month. 

I was on smart meter with both suppliers  yet regularly checked and photographed my meters and compared on their websites 

Thankfully have moved home and  now with Octopus, still take my own readings though. You can't be too sure 

Good to know for the future, does make a mockery of the whole smart meter fiasco though!  I tried so hard to not have one for so long!!!

Yes so did I till I had one 

I could log into the site and see my usage minute by minute, 

I found out pre-heat was on 24 hours a day costing £1 extra, it couldn't be switched off so I switched the boiler off when I was warm enough 

Alnat1

What frequency of meter readings did you set to allow your energy company when the smart meters were installed (or your energy account was opened) I had the option of 30 minute, daily or monthly.

Is it possible yours are only set to monthly?

sammyjammy

Alnat1 said:

What frequency of meter readings did you set to allow your energy company when the smart meters were installed (or your energy account was opened) I had the option of 30 minute, daily or monthly.

Is it possible yours are only set to monthly?

Didn't know that was a thing?  I've set nothing so its set to whatever it was when they installed it.  Would that be done on the meter or the display?  I know the display only updates gas every 30 minutes whereas electricity is real time.