Suspecting of overcharging my energy bill

[Deleted User]

4.) Since I pay my bill via direct debit every month and I am not on any fixed tariff schemes, I have been questioning their charges for the months when I was not in town and not using electricity. They refuse to provide an explanation. What should I do in this case?

How would the supplier know that you are out-of-town? If no actual meter reading is provided, the supplier will issue a bill based on estimated usage. If, say, the index reading used for billing is higher that the actual meter readings then all you need to do is to provide the supplier with actual meter readings and ask them to re-issue the bill.

My advice. Get a smart meter and switch to a supplier that issues monthly bills.

Mobtr

ronctlsmile said:

A short story: My previous energy company went bust last year and was acquired by one of the biggest energy providers (with a name starting with 'E'). At the start, I was in debt of £300. From 2022 to 2023 (this year), I was away for almost five months. I did not consistently submit my meter readings. Every time I questioned them about the actual monthly usage of electricity, they refused to answer. All they provided were the unit rate and standard charges for my flat. Recently, after filing a complaint, they promised to refund £1000. However, after persistent follow-ups, they claimed it was a mistake on their part and refused to issue any refund.

Here is a list of my questions:

1.) It was my fault that I didn't keep any records of my previous energy bills issued by my previous provider. With my previous energy provider, I paid them via direct debit and I have never fallen behind on my payments. How can I argue against the £300 arrear? 

2.) How can I accurately calculate my own electricity usage to contest any overcharges? I have been recording meter readings for the past few months and sending them, along with pictures of my meter reading, to my current provider. 

3.) My current provider refuses to provide me with the actual monthly usage of electricity and only offers their estimated yearly usage. What should I do in this situation? 

4.) Since I pay my bill via direct debit every month and I am not on any fixed tariff schemes, I have been questioning their charges for the months when I was not in town and not using electricity. They refuse to provide an explanation. What should I do in this case?

Thank you in advance.

Ray

 

1. Just because you didn’t fall behind with your payments doesn’t mean those payments covered what you used. If you had £300 debt on your final bill with your old supplier I’m guessing they didn’t. Check the final reading on your final bill with your old supplier is the same as the initial reading on your first bill with your new supplier. 

2. You calculate your charges by taking the lower reading away from the higher reading then x the answer by the unit cost. Add the daily standing charge for the period + the 5% VAT
3. If, as you say, you have been sending readings to your supplier monthly, you will already have this information. 

4. Depending on when and how often you’re billed depends on the answer to this one. If you’re billed monthly & you send in monthly readings that are used, you should be billed for what’s being used & if you have been away the usage should reflect this. 

If your energy company that starts with a E, is EDF who only bill 6 monthly then they will use 2 readings & bill you for the electricity used between those 2 readings. It will be averaged out over the full period and should work out the same as if you had been billed monthly as the pricing per kWh will be the same. Unless you contact them on the day you leave to go away with a reading & ask for a bill, then do the same on the day you get back, how are they supposed to know you are away or be able to tell you what you have used? 

Unless you have a commissioned smart meter installed, it’s impossible