Octopus refund and billing errors

johnggold

Not an unusual occurance. Octopus now heavily use a customer support app that uses AI to craft replies. It is easy to spot as relies seem to repeat the words used in your prior emails again and again. The name of the app is included in the header.

There is no benefit in using smart meters. Octopus know all about seasonal usage, so could use this to provide estimates but choose not to, because if they did, there would be no need to read the meter other than when prices change or at end of year..Estimates are calculated based on ANNUAL usage in your local area, and not your own usage. That is why they are able to overestimate monthly payments and even if you supply a meter reading and it shows overestimating the monthly rate does not reduce.

The only way to counteract this is to set the monthly payment way below Octopus estimate, and adjust once a year. I aim to be at zero credit at the end of September.

Ildhund

johnggold said:

I aim to be at zero credit at the end of September.

I'm sure you have a good reason for this, so I'd like to hear what it is. 

For those paying by fixed monthly Direct Debit, it's a rule of thumb often quoted that the account should be in credit by a couple of months' costs at the start of the winter semester, usually 1 October. Setting the DD to achieve this should bring the credit balance down to near zero at the end of winter (31 March or start of Summertime, for example). Average electricity costs in winter are typically 20% higher than in summer.

Gerry1

johnggold said:

The only way to counteract this is to set the monthly payment way below Octopus estimate, and adjust once a year.

Or just phone or email them them and change to Monthly Variable Direct Debit.  Bigger bills in winter, smaller in summer.

mah14681

Ildhund said:

mah14681 said:

... we were sceptical with the 3G switch off so avoided it for now. 

Why?

• O2 (Telefonica) have contracted to provide communications for the smart meter network until 2028;
• If there's no 3G signal, the connection will revert to 2G, which is perfectly capable of handling the tiny amounts of data a smart meter receives and sends;
• 2G and 3G will finally be consigned to history in 2033, although individual services will be terminated before then.
• Vodafone have been contracted to provide communication for 15 years over their LTE 4G network. Trials have already started with new types of communications hub. 

I don't think the 3G switch-off should have any bearing on a decision whether or not to opt for a smart meter.

I agree it shouldn't be a consideration at all now but, at the time 3G smart meters were still being installed and this was the advice I'd read.

mah14681

We're sticking to a classic meter for the moment. With a three-bedroom house, two adults, two young adults, a young person, pets, three hay-fever sufferers, no space for a heatpump storage tank yet and a classic dryer, it seems to be the cheaper option for us, for now. Octopus have been really good for us despite my little fit earlier in the thread. I'm always considering when it's cost-effective to switch to a smart meter because it makes sense for the data it provides in sort of real-time for faster response to demands and analysis of trends.

Personal circumstances, technology, energy costs, etc. are always changing. Constant review of arrangements and a willing to challenge past decisions on a regular basis is important for you to find the best option to suit.

Personally, I want to do what I can for the environment, I just wish I wasn't the only one in the household who thinks drying things on the washing line then, using the dryer for a short while to remove the pollen with the side-effect of softening the fabrics, is a good idea.

Thank you for your helpful comments.

Qyburn

mah14681 said:

We're sticking to a classic meter for the moment. With a three-bedroom house, two adults, two young adults, a young person, pets, three hay-fever sufferers, no space for a heatpump storage tank yet and a classic dryer, it seems to be the cheaper option for us, for now. 

Unless you're on an archaic multi meter tariff not directly supported by a smart meter, I don't see why a conventional meter would be cheaper. 

mah14681

Qyburn said:

Unless you're on an archaic multi meter tariff not directly supported by a smart meter, I don't see why a conventional meter would be cheaper. 

Sorry @Qyburn , I was probably confusing it with water meters. Had a lot going on lately - I think the grey matter is a bit mushy.

We fixed a deal last minute for energy before rates went up. Getting a smart meter installed in time would've potentially put us on a more expensive rate. When we last booked in for a smart meter installation it was put off for so long during lockdowns.

The last house valuation the consumer unit and meter were pointed out as detrimental to the value, so need to get both looked at in the near future. Not inadequate, but not desirable.