Switching Energy Suppliers - Opening/Closing Meter Readings

PennySaver84

QrizB said:

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?

Thanks for your post. I was wrong with my calculations and understanding of the switching process. I’m on Economy 7 so have a dual rate meter. The new Outfox ppu (Night 11.41; Day 26.62) is not far off the Octopus ppu that I switched from (Night 11.36; Day 25.58) so I’m not out of pocket and am actually slightly in pocket due to the unit price difference. Apologies and thanks for the explanation.

WiserMiser

The day rate and the night rate both increased, but you're saving money??

Was there a whopping decrease in the standing charge?

PennySaver84

WiserMiser said:

The day rate and the night rate both increased, but you're saving money??

Was there a whopping decrease in the standing charge?

I’ve saved a small amount by Octopus over-estimating my night reading agreed with Outfox by nearly 200 units at Octopus’  rate of 11.36ppu before I start paying Outfox’s rate of 11.41. 

My current Octopus fixed tariff was ending and it’s cheapest new tariff was about 2ppu more on both day and night rates. 

Scot_39

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.

Neither Octopus nor outfox set the numbers a third party "meter validation" company does - based on a set of rules and last validated measurement.  Both suppliers tgen use so bill you upto and from those numbers.

Theirs bit on tge Octopus blog about it here - pointing out tge confusion - and aptly titled "secret life ...."

https://octopus.energy/blog/secret-life-opening-meter-reading/

It seems complex - and In theory with modern working smart meters that should produce little variation.

As to whether a user reading is actually a validated readings - so your presumption of error being 14x normal 1 day appliers - seems unlikely - or would go back to an actual meter reader (do people not on psr still get irregular inspection / reading visits ?)?.

PennySaver84

Scot_39 said:

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.

Neither Octopus nor outfox set the numbers a third party "meter validation" company does - based on a set of rules and last validated measurement.  Both suppliers tgen use so bill you upto and from those numbers.

Theirs bit on tge Octopus blog about it here - pointing out tge confusion - and aptly titled "secret life ...."

It seems complex - and In theory with modern working smart meters that should produce little variation.

As to whether a user reading is actually a validated readings - so your presumption of error being 14x normal 1 day appliers - seems unlikely - or would go back to an actual meter reader (do people not on psr still get irregular inspection / reading visits ?)?.

Thanks for the Octopus blog information.
My current daily night rate usage is 13-15 units so 191 units for that one day period is a high estimate but, as per my earlier post, I now understand that that the over-estimate works in my favour as the old Octopus night rate is slightly lower than the new Outfox rate for those night units I’m still to use. 

I haven’t been visited by a meter reader since May 2022 and diligently submit accurate manual readings monthly.