BG to Octopus switch - discrepancy in closing and opening meter read

alicef

Hello all

I have a SMETS2 meter and both parties appear to be receiving data.
BG closed my account on 1605.5, and have produced a closing bill.  Octopus sent me an email telling me that my final handover figure is 1642 kWh.  I can't see on the Octopus site my opening read - probably because I don't know where to find it.

Question is - who sorts out this discrepancy?  

[Deleted User]

alicef said:

Hello all

I have a SMETS2 meter and both parties appear to be receiving data.
BG closed my account on 1605.5, and have produced a closing bill.  Octopus sent me an email telling me that my final handover figure is 1642 kWh.  I can't see on the Octopus site my opening read - probably because I don't know where to find it.

Question is - who sorts out this discrepancy?  

The ‘golden rule’ is one meter: one supplier. The GAINING supplier manages the transfer of supply. Its Data Collector agrees a switch reading in accordance with industry procedures. Both suppliers are required to use the same reading. 

Are you sure that BG has issued a Final Bill?  It the bill is annotated Final Bill, then send BG a copy of the email that you received from Octopus with the correct transfer reading. The discrepancy between the two readings is within industry limits: BG has to accept the amended reading.

rp1974

Someone that knows will tell you the figures that are allowed as being within tolerance for readings,assuming this is an electricity meter reading,if I remember correctly it needs to be outwith 250 units to be raised as a dispute.
Given that it's circa £11 at most and within the allowable limits,is 37 units worth disputing,really?.

Alnat1

Does the BG bill actually say it is the final and closing bill or have you simply received a bill from them and assumed it was?

When you switch providers there is an independent industry provided estimated reading which both suppliers have to use, BG to close the account, Octopus to open it. This reading might not be quite the same as the actual reading on the meter but BG will charge you for the units up to this figure. Octopus will start to charge you from this figure, so if it's higher than the real meter reading you won't pay Octopus for any units until the meter reaches it.

It does sound like the Octopus figure of 1642kWh is the industry reading so you may get a final bill from BG charging you up to this figure.

[Deleted User]

Given that it's circa £11 at most and within the allowable limits,is 37 units worth disputing,really?.

That’s not the issue. The 250kWh is the difference between the agreed transfer reading and what is on the meter. Greater than 250kWh, an Agreed Readings Dispute can be initiated. 

The issue here is that the two suppliers MAY not be using the same reading to open and close accounts. Under Industry rules, the same reading has to be used. 

alicef

Thank you all for your responses - this is the terminology printed on the BG bill...

'Hello, here's your final statement' 

and at the end of the bill it states

'Your final balance on 18 Sep 2023 £1.44'  

BG also sent me an email telling me they had produced a 'Final Bill' 

I think I will wait until Octopus produce my first bill for me as I've only had the email from them with their version of opening meter read.

I would rather not have another conversation with BG about their billing.  

[Deleted User]

Just call them on 0808 164 1088 and ask for the industry-agreed switch reading. 

PennineAcute

Three things could happen.

1)  BG charge you later for the 36.5 kWh.  If this is after 6 weeks of leaving, there is a case making a claim of £30.

2)  Octopus change their opening reads to 1605.5 kWh

3) Nothing and you have saved yourself 36.5 kWh. 

If 1 or 2 happens - depending on the unit rate - it will cost you around £10.95, with a possible £30 compensation claim to soften the blow.

If it was me, I would wait the 6 weeks before complaining. 

EDF were late paying me my outstanding credit.  I waited 20 working days before complaining and asked for (and got) £60 compensation.

[Deleted User]

1)  BG charge you later for the 36.5 kWh.  If this is after 6 weeks of leaving, there is a case making a claim of £30.

They have issued a Final Bill: Ofgem doesn’t say that it has to be right. It is very poorly crafted piece of regulation.

PennineAcute

[Deleted User] said:

1)  BG charge you later for the 36.5 kWh.  If this is after 6 weeks of leaving, there is a case making a claim of £30.

They have issued a Final Bill: Ofgem doesn’t say that it has to be right. It is very poorly crafted piece of regulation.

I stand corrected on useless Ofgem.  However, in the grand scale of things, although it is an issue that needs solving, it is not a massive issue - looking at the possible outstanding charge.  Either 36.5 kWh at either BG's or Octopus's UP rate. 

It is down to morals now.  Do I inform Octopus and land with an extra charge or do I keep quiet and see if I get away with it?  Only the OP can decide.

alicef

Thank you for the later comments.  Yes it will have to be sorted.  I'm not worried about my morals ... it's my sanity.