Switching Energy Suppliers - Opening/Closing Meter Readings

PennySaver84

Quick question as this feels like an overcharging conspiracy between energy providers when switching suppliers without a smart meter.

On 11 September 2025, my switch from Octopus to Outfox went through.

On 10 September, I had submitted my actual meter readings to both.

On receiving my first bill today from Outfox, my opening meter reading was estimated on the actual switching date of 11 September.

When I checked my closing reading from Octopus on 11 September it matched the opening estimated reading from Outfox.

The number of units both companies used as my final reading for that one day (10-11 September) was (14 TIMES!!) higher than my actual daily usage at this time of year.

The result is that Octopus have refunded me less and Outfox have charged me more.

By my calculations, I’m £20-£40 out of pocket.

So I’ve lost out and both companies have made money at my expense.

I’ve contacted both companies and am awaiting a response, but wanted to share this underhand practice quickly and ask whether anyone else has had this experience.

Many thanks.

FrugaiMacDugal

How have Outfox charged you more if they used Octopus closinlg reading?

MattMattMattUK

PennySaver84 said:

Quick question as this feels like an overcharging conspiracy between energy providers when switching suppliers without a smart meter.

On 11 September 2025, my switch from Octopus to Outfox went through.

On 10 September, I had submitted my actual meter readings to both.

On receiving my first bill today from Outfox, my opening meter reading was estimated on the actual switching date of 11 September.

When I checked my closing reading from Octopus on 11 September it matched the opening estimated reading from Outfox.

The number of units both companies used as my final reading for that one day (10-11 September) was (14 TIMES!!) higher than my actual daily usage at this time of year.

The result is that Octopus have refunded me less and Outfox have charged me more.

By my calculations, I’m £20-£40 out of pocket.

So I’ve lost out and both companies have made money at my expense.

I’ve contacted both companies and am awaiting a response, but wanted to share this underhand practice quickly and ask whether anyone else has had this experience.

Many thanks.

The DNO agrees the final meter reading used as the closing read for the supplier you are leaving and the opening read for the supplier you are joining, you will not lose out overall, though it sometimes shifts usage from one supplier to the other. 

PennySaver84

What’s DNO?

PennySaver84

Octopus have provided Outfox with an estimated final reading on the actual switch date on 11 September, which is far higher than my actual final reading which I provided to both companies on 10 September.

Swipe

PennySaver84 said:

What’s DNO?

The utilities infrastructure company e.g. National Grid

EssexHebridean

If I'm reading this right, the new unit rate is substantially lower than the old one, and so the OP is being charged for more units at the higher rate due to the estimated readings. 

OP - my suspicion is that it will even out once your own readings and ongoing ones get taken into account. 

Swipe

If it's 14 times higher and over the permitted variance threshold, it can be disputed. Do not allow them to fob you off if you are out of pocket. Stand your ground.

PennySaver84

Thanks for your replies all; on reflection I’m probably over-reacting and it will even out. 

FrugaiMacDugal

PennySaver84 said:

Octopus have provided Outfox with an estimated final reading on the actual switch date on 11 September, which is far higher than my actual final reading which I provided to both companies on 10 September.

So if Octopus overcharged you say, 30 units it means you have 30 units to use with Outfox before it catches up.

The only overcharge is the difference between Octopus ppu and Outfox ppu times 30, say.

QrizB

PennySaver84 said:

Octopus have provided Outfox with an estimated final reading on the actual switch date on 11 September, which is far higher than my actual final reading which I provided to both companies on 10 September.

That's not how the dataflow works.

Outfox provide an opening reading to the Data Collector, who audits it and then advises both Outfox and Octopus what value to use.

As long as they've both used the  Quotesame value, and it's within the permitted difference from your actual reading, it's "correct".

PennySaver84 said:

When I checked my closing reading from Octopus on 11 September it matched the opening estimated reading from Outfox.

If they've both used the same reading, you only out-of-pocketedness would be due to the difference between the unit prices.

PennySaver84 said:

By my calculations, I’m £20-£40 out of pocket.

This seems unlikely.

Can you share the readings, the tariffs and your calculations?