Meter readings / price changes

mjjordan

I don't think this point has been raised before... if/when the utility companies change (increase!) prices on a certain date, unless they read EVERY meter on the day before, how does anyone (them or us) know if they are applying the correct price to the units used - is there a cause for a BIG enquiry here???

SwanJon

No, they estimate it based on your previous consumption.
You are welcome to take a reading and give it to them.
(there is a thread about one companies issues with their estimates, but it doesn't stop you giving them a reading)

mjjordan

If you buy petrol from a garage they can't say, oh I'll give you about a litre if you give me about £1.20, so how are utiltiy companies allowed to get away with estimates, which by definition cannot be accurate, you may use a certain number of units over a given period, but unless meter readings are taken on exact dates, who can say what the usage had been up to a particular price break point?
Just taking a daily average takes no account of seasonal variations and who chooses when the period to be averaged starts and ends? I see a big black cloud of inaccuracy, all too likely in the companies' favour - could I be right?

espresso

mjjordan wrote: »

I don't think this point has been raised before... if/when the utility companies change (increase!) prices on a certain date, unless they read EVERY meter on the day before, how does anyone (them or us) know if they are applying the correct price to the units used - is there a cause for a BIG enquiry here???

Easy solution. Why don't you provide a customer reading on the day of the price rise, if you are concerned about this?

:rolleyes:

Cardew

mjjordan wrote: »

I don't think this point has been raised before... if/when the utility companies change (increase!) prices on a certain date, unless they read EVERY meter on the day before, how does anyone (them or us) know if they are applying the correct price to the units used - is there a cause for a BIG enquiry here???

It has been raised many many times on this forum, with suggestions of all sorts of accusations of fraudulent practice.

They have a computer program with a sophisticated algorithm that takes into account many factors including weather etc.

If you search you will find all the threads.