Transpose or more accurately like for like, adopt incumbent meter readings

gesdt50

Does any energy utility company take over ones meter readings ie., estimates from the previous energy company so one doesn't have to start giving meter readings every month as I currently have estimates from my current energy supplier which I am happy with as I don't have to remember to give a reading every month which is only a hassle because there are so many other bills & online things to do every month, am concerned also as its my experience that all companies that start one of on estimates give extortionately ridiculous sky high amounts which one has to start writing trails of emails to get customer service to refund?

QrizB

As one forum regular says in their signature, "never pay an estimated bill".

MWT

gesdt50 said:

... as I currently have estimates from my current energy supplier which I am happy with as I don't have to remember to give a reading every month which is only a hassle because there are so many other bills & online things to do every month...

If you are happy because the estimates are very close to the actual meter readings then you have nothing to worry about from using an actual meter reading when switching.

If you are happy because they are underestimating then you are just building up trouble for the future and it will have to be resolved if you switch, there is no way to move on and leave that problem behind...

Keep_pedalling

If you can’t be bothered with sending readings get a smart meter installed. 

nologo

Keep_pedalling has the answer.
your going to get one anyway (when your meter expires) so why not chase your supplier now? 

FrugaiMacDugal

Sounds as though you are happy with the estimates just because you are happy with the amount being charged, which, methinks, means that they are underestimated.

Do you ever check an estimate with the actual meter reading, or are you too frightened to check because you know that they are underestimated?

Spare a minute today and check, you may actually be due a refund.

I foresee a future thread where OP blames the supplier for massive bill because the supplier was using estimates.

Qyburn

gesdt50 said:

Does any energy utility company take over ones meter readings ie., estimates from the previous energy company so one doesn't have to start giving meter readings every month as I currently have estimates from my current energy supplier which I am happy with as I don't have to remember to give a reading every month which is only a hassle because there are so many other bills & online things to do every month, am concerned also as its my experience that all companies that start one of on estimates give extortionately ridiculous sky high amounts which one has to start writing trails of emails to get customer service to refund?

You should give at least one real reading every now and again. Otherwise estimates and reality can drift so far apart there are real problems getting them reconciled.

If you're using much more than the estimates, you may be hit with a large unexpected catch up bill.

If you're using less, then if a big difference has built up you may have a job getting the supplier to believe your readings.

We've seen cases where the supplier has insisted that the customer's much lower reading must be due to the meter going "round the clock", difficult or impossible to disprove without some history of real readings.

itsthelittlethings

All your bills are estimated? I really really hope they’re accurate.

Keep_pedalling

itsthelittlethings said:

All your bills are estimated? I really really hope they’re accurate.

Or if not they have been over paying so they have a nice rebate to come rather than a nasty demand for a large sum of money.

wakeupalarm

gesdt50 said:

Does any energy utility company take over ones meter readings ie., estimates from the previous energy company so one doesn't have to start giving meter readings every month as I currently have estimates from my current energy supplier which I am happy with as I don't have to remember to give a reading every month which is only a hassle because there are so many other bills & online things to do every month, am concerned also as its my experience that all companies that start one of on estimates give extortionately ridiculous sky high amounts which one has to start writing trails of emails to get customer service to refund?

Instead of writing trails of emails to get customer service to refund, why not read your own meter and enter the 5/6 characters needed for a meter read?  You will save tons of time and help the environment as well!

gesdt50

Usage is extremely low,

 ""We've seen cases where the supplier has insisted that the customer's much lower reading must be due to the meter going "round the clock", difficult or impossible to disprove without some history of real readings.

They can ""insist"" as much as they want but they'd have to prove that the meter is faulty and incur the costs to do that or repartions for losses once and otherwise