Error/Failure in Cheap Energy Club Accounting

MobJkb

Help!

I need advice or assistance with a problem that I am experiencing with accounting and billing for energy supplies that I have accessed via the Cheap Energy Club.

 

My Problem

Via Club arrangements, I have recently transferred my electricity supply contract from EDF to Ecotricity.

In their Final Statement EDF advised me that my final bill for them is £498.95.  As my regular monthly payments for electricity are in the order of £90 to £115, this is an unrealistically high amount that is very unlikely to have validly accrued.

When I challenged this with EDF, they highlighted that their Final Statement included reference to electricity allegedly supplied to me during 11th Feb until 1st April 2026 in accordance with readings from my Smart Meter for that period. Detail in this statement infers that some Billing has not yet been actioned.

I advised EDF that I refuse to pay this bill until it is properly clarified.  At this stage they cancelled their Direct Debit on my bank and I confirmed this cancellation. They continue, however, to request payment of the disputed amount by alternative means.

                           

 My Observations

Energy costs allegedly accrued in February to April 2026 should already have been billed to me.

I have made uninterrupted payments for electricity supplied to me as billed at the time by the respective suppliers (including EDF).

EDF make 2 separate references to a reading from my Smart Meter for 11th February 2026. In past routine billing they stated it to be12964 but in the bill that they sent to me after I registered my complaint they stated it to be 10835.600. To date they have not explained or attempted to justify this large differential.

I append below extract copies from EDF Statements that illustrate the erroneous accounting.

Way Forward?

Can anyone advise how I can sort this out or can do anything for me that would resolve the problem.

How can I access past readings on my Smart Meter?

Thanks for any assistance/advice.

Appendices

Extract Copies from EDF Statements-

Extract From EDF Statement 12th April 2026

Your energy bill
Here’s a quick overview of your energy charges, credits,
payments and refunds.
Balance on your last bill
Charges
Electricity
11 Feb. 2026 - 10 March 2026
£0.00 credit
Your new balance
edfenergy.com
£134.95 debit
Bill reference: (Removed by Forum Team) (13 March 2026)
Account number: (Removed by Forum Team)
EDF_0010
C
Your estimated annual cost
Based on your latest energy use, balance and tariff
prices, your estimated energy costs for the year are:
£1,393.99 a year for electricity
Could you save over the next year?
£134.95

Extract Copy From EDF Statement Received by email 7/7/26
Your charges in detail
Electricity
Supply
number
(Removed by Forum Team)

Rota Disconnections Alpha Identifier: C
EDF Collective Switch Mar27 (11 February 2026 - 10 March
2026)
Electricity charges for meter 22M0387827
11 Feb 2026
11 Mar 2026
12964.3000 Opening reading
13465.9150 Smart meter reading
Electricity used
Standing charge
501.6200 kWh @
22.322p/kWh
28 days @ 59 .109p/day
Subtotal of charges before VAT
VAT @5 %
Total electricity charges for this period
£111.97
£16.55
£128.52
£6.43
£134.95
We are unable to compare the consumption for this period in
the previous year
edfenergy.com

Your charges in detail
Electricity Supply
number (Removed by Forum Team)
(Removed by Forum Team)

Rota Disconnections Alpha Identifier: C
EDF Collective Switch Mar27 (11 February 2026 - 31 March
2026)
Electricity charges for meter (Removed by Forum Team)
11 Feb 2026 10835.6000 Opening reading
1 Apr 2026 13765.3850 Smart meter reading
Electricity used 2929.7900 kWh @
22.322p/kWh
£653.99
Standing charge 49 days @ 59 .109p/day £28.96
Subtotal of charges before VAT £682.95
VAT @5 % £34.15
Total electricity charges for this period £717.10
We are unable to compare the consumption for this period in
the previous year
About your tariff
Prices do not include VAT unless otherwise noted
Electricity tariff name EDF Collective Switch
Mar27
Product type Fixed
Payment method Direct Debit
Unit rate 22.322p/kWh
Standing charge 59.109p/day
(£215.75/year)
Price guaranteed until 2 June 2026
Early exit fee £50.00
Estimated annual usage 4788 kWh
Scan this code when comparing tariffs
Electricity Supply
number (Removed by Forum Team)

Rota Disconnections Alpha Identifier: C
EDF Collective Switch Mar27 (1 April 2026 - 1 June 2026)
Electricity charges for meter (Removed by Forum Team)
1 Apr 2026 13765.3850 Smart meter reading
2 Jun 2026 14335.0000 Closing reading
Electricity used 569.6100 kWh @
18.982p/kWh
£108.13
Standing charge 62 days @ 59 .109p/day £36.65
Subtotal of charges before VAT £144.78
VAT @5 % £7.24
Total electricity charges for this period £152.02
We are unable to compare the consumption for this

END

Woodstok2000

What was the closing reading in February from your previous bill?

QrizB

Welcome to the forum.

I don't know how much of your post was written by AI, but it was too much of it!

Your dispute seems to revolve around the opening reading on your joining EDF. This reading is one that's agreed with your previous supplier and isn't necessarily what your smart meter reads on that date.

Which company were you with before EDF? What's the closing reading on your final bill from them?

When you joined EDF, did you read your meter yourself? Do you have a record of that reading, and (if so) what was it?

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82077845#Comment_82077845

I think one of us has mis-read this - the way I understood the original post was that OP has been with EDF for some time, and moved to Ecotricity in June. The closing reading is ok, but in the closing bill, EDF have changed the reading from Feb 2026 from 12964 to 10835, and consequently billed an additional ~2000 units.

@MobJkb You should be able to see previous readings in your EDF account or on the app if you still have access to them, or on previous bills (again, if you have access). The more info you can provide here, the better.

QrizB

but in the closing bill, EDF have changed the reading from Feb 2026 from 12964 to 10835

I agree with you on this bit, but the Feb 2026 reading is marked as "opening reading" not eg. "smart meter reading". Compare that to the June statement where the starting reading is marked "smart meter reading". Also, the EDF tariff is "EDF Collective Switch Mar27" which was only offered in January and February this year.

So it seems likelyto me that the OP joined EDF on a switch in February, then chose to switch away again in June.

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82077927#Comment_82077927

Ah - good spot!

Over to you OP - more details please, especially regarding previous readings (and closing readings from your supplier prior to EDF if applicable).

MobJkb

Thanks for your help, particularly for your very succinct summary of what I should ask EDF to clarify.

I have sent them an email today using your text and await their response.

EDF was my energy supplier with effect from 11-Feb-2026.

In their account for me, EDF show no record of my meter readings prior to 11-Feb-2026.

My previous supplier was Fuse Energy until 10th Feb 2026. They have confirmed to me by email that the balance on their final bill was successfully collected on 6/3/26 so there would be nothing further to pay and there would be no further bills from them.

Thanks again for your valued assistance.

QrizB

My previous supplier was Fuse Energy until 10th Feb 2026. They have confirmed to me by email that the balance on their final bill was successfully collected on 6/3/26

What was the meter reading used for this final bill? It should be printed on the bill.

In their account for me, EDF show no record of my meter readings prior to 11-Feb-2026.

That will be because you weren't their customer at that time.

MobJkb

Thanks to everyone who responded.