British Gas billing problem

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This discussion was created from comments split from: Over charged KWh by British Gas.

45Hedges

Hi,

I am having an issue with British Gas regarding my latest energy statement which is - in my opinion - grossly over estimating our KWh usage. I have actual readings - and some estimated because it seems that my Smart meter isn't as Smart as it could be and is not sending accurate readings to BG. I have calculated our usage applying the industry norm conversion mathematical calculation, and ascertained that our usage is in line with the previous 4 years by checking statements from our previous supplier. I have also spoken to Octopus for help and they are baffled with what BG are charging us based on the KWH usage they estimate.

Has anyone else had similar issues? How were they resolved? Any advise on how we can resolve our issue?

MeteredOut

I'm confused why you are speaking to Octopus to try get help with your BG billing???

What are BG saying about why they are using estimates? If your smart meter is not working, ask them to fix it, and in the meantime, give them your reading and ask them to send an updated bill. If they refuse on either or both, raise a complaint, and if not resolved after 8 weeks, raise a case with the Energy Ombudsman.

Or ask EDF what they think.

QrizB

Welcome to the forum @45Hedges !

I am having an issue with British Gas regarding my latest energy statement

Were your previous statements all correct, so it's only the latest one that's causing problems?

grossly over estimating our KWh usage

Is this simply a matter of their estimate being high? Or do you think there is more to it?

I have actual readings - and some estimated because it seems that my Smart meter isn't as Smart as it could be and is not sending accurate readings to BG.

Please can you share your readings?

When you receive a BG bill, do you always check that the readings on the bill are shown as Actual / Smart and not as Estimates? If BG have used estimated readings, do you then submit your own actual readings and do BG issue a corrected bill?

I have calculated our usage

Could you share an example of your calculations? How do these differ from BGs calculations?

I have also spoken to Octopus for help

If BG is your supplier, where does Octopus come into this?

Ildhund

@45Hedges wrote:

… my Smart meter isn't as Smart as it could be and is not sending accurate readings

This isn't likely to be right. A smart meter is supposed to send data to the supplier when asked to. If it can, it will, and the data sent will almost certainly be millimetre-accurate. If it can't, no data will be sent. It's almost unheard of for a smart meter to send inaccurate readings.

45Hedges

Dear Metered Out

I have actual readings for 1/4/25, 8/11/26/28/11/25/27/6/26. All readings in-between have been estimated.

I contacted octopus for their advise re the validity of the calculations I have made to ensure what I am arguing with BG stand to reason - they think they do..

45Hedges

Dear Quiz B,

It is only the last statement that I am queering. My opening actual reading was 936 which is in line with the final reading from EON. However, BG , in their first statement to me quoted Actual reading of 1648. They amended this to 936 on their following statement. On their latest statement (27/6/26) they state Actual reading of 2104.Using the Industry standard conversion to KWH from cubic m used I calculate 2104 - 936 = 1168. Using that conversion equation, I calculate approx 12987.28 KWh of gas usage for the year. So, it baffles me why BG are estimating that we have used 22,514 KWh over the period 28 Nov 25 - 1 April 26.

I phoned Octopus in order to check my maths and get their input regarding where BG may have got their usage.

Robin9

The important thing is that you have realized that it is an estimate.

I would just give them my actual reading and get an updated bill and then move on - there are more important things in life that trying to work our where suppliers get their estimates from.