Free Electricity, will I need to repay?

matt_drummer

NeoDude said:

No, I mean electric underfloor matting. Reasoning is mainly that we wanted rid of the radiators tbh, but the longer term plan is to install PV Panels and Batteries in order to offset the cost difference.

The trouble is, it won't.

Batteries and solar panels are not free.

You could have installed a heat pump and run at 300% to 500% efficiency.

With solar and batteries your heating costs could be less than 2p per kWh

What you have done now is going to cost you over 20p per kWh for most of your heating.

To get to around 10p per kWh you will have to spend £thousands on solar panels and batteries.

Plus you still have gas, a gas boiler and the gas standing charge.

It's your decision, of course, but in financial terms, a really bad one.


You meter problem may be tricky to resolve, your electricity consumption will have increased considerably.

Worryingly, you don't know by how much yet.

FreeBear

matt_drummer said:

NeoDude said:

No, I mean electric underfloor matting. Reasoning is mainly that we wanted rid of the radiators tbh, but the longer term plan is to install PV Panels and Batteries in order to offset the cost difference.

The trouble is, it won't.


With solar and batteries your heating costs could be less than 2p per kWh

And solar panels only work when the sun is shining. Over winter when you actually need the heating, solar power will be right down. Yes, the money you get when exporting during the summer months will help to offset the winter costs, but it is unlikely to make a huge difference.

TroubledTarts

NeoDude said:

TroubledTarts said:

Nothing has stopped you sending in a manual reading and as it was your electricians fault I think you know deep down.

How can I send in a manual reading, when the reading on the meter isn't actually changing?

I've contacted Octopus multiple times, so It's not like I've intentionally tried to get away with this. They're the one that have chosen not to act.

My apologies I should read better. As others have said they will estimate the usage so good opportunity for you to dig out old bills over the same time span to have that as your counter offer of what you think you will have used versus what the supplier says.

MWT

... and just to deal with the 'back-billing' question before it gets raised...

It will not help much in this case as the DD has been paid throughout, so Octopus are able to use those payments for the earliest estimated use without any 12 month cut-off.

dancerman11

Will it be free

May 2024 I sent in a meter reading but only noticed in August that the numbers had not gone up (Doh really observant of me) I reported this and begrudginly I had a smart meter fitted 10th November. a couple months went by and they asked for a reading. there was no way I could do this as the metre was not set up properly due to me not having a mpan no.I was told December they would do a rush but still no mpan no. Have you been getting reading I asked yes one answered and them no because cannot do with out a mpan no. They changed my standing from from £100 to £26

Why I do not now.

Now the question can Octopus estimate what I used from previous years aand charge me (No is my thoughts on the matter) to me all they can charge would be the standing charge which its the only constant in this matter.

Apologies for being long winded in the story and any input would be much appreciated Thank you

EssexHebridean

dancerman11 said:

Will it be free

May 2024 I sent in a meter reading but only noticed in August that the numbers had not gone up (Doh really observant of me) I reported this and begrudginly I had a smart meter fitted 10th November. a couple months went by and they asked for a reading. there was no way I could do this as the metre was not set up properly due to me not having a mpan no.I was told December they would do a rush but still no mpan no. Have you been getting reading I asked yes one answered and them no because cannot do with out a mpan no. They changed my standing from from £100 to £26

Why I do not now.

Now the question can Octopus estimate what I used from previous years aand charge me (No is my thoughts on the matter) to me all they can charge would be the standing charge which its the only constant in this matter.

Apologies for being long winded in the story and any input would be much appreciated Thank you

So the meter itself is not registering use at all? have you tried inputting the model number of your smart meter in to google to find an instruction guide to reading it - sometimes there is a need to press a button (My gas  meter needs a button pressed - although I believe this is less common with electric meters). Is there anything on the screen at all? 

what lights are flashing (if any) - the comms hub (probably mounted above the meter) should have a line of (probably) 5 lights on it - are any of those flashing? If so, which ones and what pattern are they creating. 

What does your Octopus account show for use? And do you have an IHD (In Home Display - the little gadget that a lot of folk have sitting out on the side which shows them their energy use)? If so does anything show on there - and does that show any readings? (That will require a button press sequence)

Have you continued to pay your DD?

Yes it is likely that Octopus will estimate your use for any period they are not getting readings. If we can establish that your meter is definitely not behaving at all, and is not recording use, then you need to make a formal complaint about that to Octopus. 

debitcardmayhem

@dancerman11 if they have put your DD down put the differenc in a savings account, you are sure to have to repay.

MWT

dancerman11 said:

Now the question can Octopus estimate what I used from previous years aand charge me (No is my thoughts on the matter) to me all they can charge would be the standing charge which its the only constant in this matter.

The Ombudsman has always supported estimating usage in cases like this, but it can be based on either prior or subsequent usage if there is a case to be made for one over the other.

'Free' is the least likely outcome.