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switching without meter reading
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What would happen if a switch completed before a meter reading was given? Or would the switch stall?This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com0
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The switch would not be completed - for a switch to happen both the gaining supplier and the releasing supplier have to agree. That's why some switches take longer than othersNever under estimate the power of stupid people in large numbers0
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@davo-75
As you are having money worries, you may want to go and see your local Citizens Advice Bureau about debt management.
They will be able to help you prioritise your debts and be able to point you to scheme ran by the utility companies which offer help to those in financially difficult circumstances.0 -
What you are asking though is if you can switch to a cheaper tariff and effectively pay less for the utilities you have already used, on a tariff you had already agreed to.well I appreciate the replies, if not the assumptions of bad behaviour. no one is submitting false readings, no one is a criminal here. im not running away from any money owed, I know I will pay them but at the moment. I cant afford a full huge back pay bill as im not working.
hence to minimise my outgoings, id like a better tariff, and provide a reading later. if all switching requires a reading, then I have my answer, thank you. and no I wasnt going to make them up, what a strange set of replies. I presume you get a lot of fraudsters passing through.
You know the estimates are low, and are prepared to let them to continue at that lower level until it suits you to give an actual reading and pay back the debt, based on a lower tariff.
That is where the suggestions of fraud are coming through, dishonest is perhaps a lighter term for it...I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the In My Home MoneySaving, Energy and Techie Stuff boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.
All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
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im getting quite terrified now how people are failing to grasp this.
the estimates are HIGH now, but they used to be low, hence wanting to change tariff. anyway, thanks for the help to the useful ones.0 -
As above, take a reading - you don't need to tell anyone, but you can use to either put your mind at rest (the estimates on on track, or you are due a refund) or prepare for the time you need to give an accurate reading (e.g. increase DD a little, start putting money aside).
If money is an issue, have a look at the npower energy fund - http://www.charisgrants.com/application-forms/0 -
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Davo-75
Can you read your meter today please and post it on this forum together with the estimated reading on your last bill. Then you will know if there is money owing - it may be that your supplier owes you.Never pay on an estimated bill. Always read and understand your bill0 -
Been on npower electricity, standard tariff, paying bills on arrival for years. Their latest gives me an estimate of almost 800 quid per year. I want to leave them, and their customer service is a pain to get through to. So as im on estimates and have been for years, I have a feeling my meter is higher than they think...I mentioned it once to one of their people, and my number was higher than they thought.
Are you sure you have grasped the situation clearly?im getting quite terrified now how people are failing to grasp this.
the estimates are HIGH now, but they used to be low, hence wanting to change tariff. anyway, thanks for the help to the useful ones.
There are estimates of your future annual cost and estimates of your meter readings. They are not the same thing.
Estimates of your future annual cost are based on your historic usage, and assume that in future you will use a similar amount of energy as you have in the past. This relies on meter readings having been reasonably accurate.
Estimates of meter readings are made when the supplier is unable to get actual readings. They are based on historic readings. If there are no accurate previous readings, then estimates can, and often do, differ dramatically from the actual ones.
Estimated meter readings can result in meaningless estimates of your future cost.
As has already been suggested, it would be in your interest to take actual readings now, and compare them to the latest estimates used on your most recent statement.
It is not clear from what you have said on here if the readings used by your supplier for billing purposes are higher or lower than the actual meter readings.I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the In My Home MoneySaving, Energy and Techie Stuff boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.
All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
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Davo - reading the replies above, most of them are there to help you, even if they may not sound like it. If your bills have been estimated for years, you could be owed lots, or you could owe lots. A new supplier will insist on a meter reading, otherwise how would they know how much to bill you if they don't know what the start reading is? Even if you stay with the same supplier on a new tariff, you'll be better off telling them the reading so that the cheaper rate kicks in to suit you.
Your bets bet is to read your meter now - if it's higher than the estimate, you'll owe them money but you should be able to work out how much. Depends on your meter but basically multiply the difference in the meter readings by the unit price (which is on the bill). If the actual reading is lower, then they'll owe you - so you're quids in. If you've been on standard tariff for years, then you've been over paying for years as well.
It's really worth managing it yourself in future - regular meter readings to your supplier, switch to best deal as often as you can etc. etc. It makes a huge difference compared to paying standard tariffs which are usually £300 a year more. Don't put off reading that meter though.0
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