Meter Readings & Switching suppliers

kten

A friend of mine changed energy supplier recently, and on requests sent the same final meter readings to both old and new suppliers on the last day of the month (the swithing began at the first day of the following month). However, bizarrely the new supplier inflated the submitted reading by almost 80KWH and passed the inflated figure to the old supplier as the closing reading. As a result, the old supplier generated a new bill covering the last day of the final month and the first day of the following month, as if both old and new suppliers supplied energy to the same address on the same day. When challenged, the new supplier claimed that the 80KWH difference was within the industry's "tolerance standard" and refused to changed it back even though photos of meter showing the actual correct reading had been sent to them. My friend is a low energy user and 80KWH is almost half month's energy usage, let alone the so called "standard tolerance" of 250KWH!

Wonder if anyone aware of this bizarre industry's "tolerance standard"?

QrizB

Wonder if anyone aware of this bizarre industry's "tolerance standard"?

Yes, this sort of question comes up once or twice a month. It's normal.

If your friend's old contract was cheaper than the new one (which is quite likely in the current energy market) they've successfully purchased 80kWh of energy at the old, lower price and not the new, higher one.

sheenas

I would suggest to the new supplier that my tolerance to over changing and double billing is very low and raise a complaint with the ombudsman. 80Kwh is 1 to 2 weeks electricity for many.

QrizB

I would suggest to the new supplier that my tolerance to over changing and double billing is very low

There has been no overcharging or double billing.

and raise a complaint with the ombudsman.

The ombudsman will reject the complaint.

80Kwh is 1 to 2 weeks electricity for many.

All the more reason to be thankful that you've (probably) got it at a cheaper price than you would otherwise have paid.

Keep_pedalling

Presumable you friend does not have a smart meter. When you switch the meter readings are validated by a third party not the energy companies involved. The discrepancy in this case favours your friend as they get to pay their old supplier at the pre-cap increase prices for the additional 80kWh.

kten

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82176703#Comment_82176703

The tarriffs my friend was/is on are both flexible tarriffs with the new tarrif from the new supplier being a bit cheaper which was why he switched the supplier. So understandably he certainly would like to being charged for the 80KWH by the new supplier, not the old. The question remains that: do energy suppliers have the right to change meter readings to whatever they like even though they know the true meter readings?

Swipe

The question remains that: do energy suppliers have the right to change meter readings to whatever they like even though they know the true meter readings?

It's not the energy suppliers but rather a thrid party industry body that agrees the opening and closing readings when a switch takes place. Unfortunately, as informed by the supplier, there is no recourse if it falls within the 250kWh tolerance. The good news is there is minimal chance of an estimates being used if you have a working smart meter that submits daily readings.

kten

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82176752#Comment_82176752

Is it that the "third party industry body" something new? My friend has been switching suppliers during many years time ever since the Bulb energy (remeber it?) era, and never once interfered by this "third party" until now. And who would regulate this misteriours third party, it makes you wonder.

QrizB

Is it that the "third party industry body" something new?

No, it's been around pretty much since switching started in the 90s.

And who would regulate this misteriours third party

Ofgem, much as they regulate nearly all the other parts of the energy industry.

Here's an explanation of how it works:

https://justsoyouknow.so.energy/posts/2110580-opening-reading-validation-process

kten

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82176935#Comment_82176935

All said, that doesn't make any sense though, does it? Now I really hope the banking sector also has this "industry third party". Once I switch banks and all my ballance has been transfered to the new bank, the "third party" would look at my starting ballance and think (day dream) it's a bit too low then add some quids to my new account. That'd be great! Anyone starts dreaming it?

Scot_39

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6687652/meter-readings-switching-suppliers

I may have missed it - but are you saying your new supplier has used the submitted and not the validated readings ?

And if they havent them changing it back at their end - which they couldn't then send to the old supplier anyway - would only make it even more confusing.

Your friend should not have sent closing readings to the old supplier - its a pull system. Thats why they have 2 bills.

Its really simple

Meter reading (xxxx) —> new supplier only —> third party validation —> validated reading (in this case xxxx+80kWh) —> both new and old supplier

validated reading used at new supplier as initial reading

validated reading used at old supplier as final reading

Yes your friend has to pay the 80kWh difference to old at old rates - but unless the new supplier has done anything strange - there is no double billing.

For most 80kW is only a few days heating in winter. So they might not even worry - let alone complain.

And the thresholds - well they still have to cope with old dumb meters - that may not have had a validated meter reading for a year plus.