Energy companies so-called 'estimated use'

I was with EDF and I got fed up with them raising or lowering my bills on a monthly basis. I am now with Octopus, have been with them for over a year and they have not raised or lowered my bills once but I do attempt to read the meters monthly when asked.

They are very efficient and apologised the other day when they did not reply to my email within I think 4 hours! Large companies take many days.

At least Dick Turpin wore a mask on his escapades!

On a more general note, may I refer you to my posting on the 'Saving Energy' thread.

SSE have been estimating my gas bill since last November when I joined them on dual fuel. This is despite having an SSE smart meter which they took several attempts to activate. Clearly they omitted to activate both fuels and only did electricity. How hard can it be??

I'm really mystified by the energy company systems in the UK. From a local forum page, it appears that almost anyone can set up as an "energy broker" because there are some independent, one-man operatives that advertise on there.

So ... how on earth does one know which or what is the best deal?

As an aside, I would avoid British Gas at all times, I have a long-running dispute with them about a bill for a residential property where we were charged an extortionate "standing rate" because the supply was erroneously categorised as being for "Business" not "Domestic" use. When you phone British Gas, you get to speak to very helpful, friendly and on-the-ball Capetonians, yep, the call centre is based in Cape Town, South Africa. But that's where the good customer service ends, as soon as I am handed over to the "backroom staff" (not sure where they are) all my emails and promises to return calls are ignored. I've given up.

I am surprised that British Gas has any customers (I never signed up with them, a tenant in our rental property put my name on the account when they left ...) That someone can even do that, is bonkers.

Sorry to hijack the post with a rant! As you were.

The first generation (no pun intended) of 'Smart' meter (SMETs1) did have a lot of problems, in particular an apparent inability to communicate with the 'new' energy supplier after a consumer has switched.

At the risk of sounding like Mr Micawber, I suppose something (better) will turn up with the second iteration, SMETs2!

In the interim and whilst waiting for 'SMETs3 - The Trilogy', I've gone back to the 'dumb' meters and read them at the end of each month (for my records).

Hi Beattie9. I've also read your other post about saving energy. It's good to have an energy buff amongst us! In this instance, the smart meter was originally installed by SSE before I migrated to EDF (who never got to grips with it), then when I returned to SSE after about 18 months (well we are advised to keep switching, are we not?) I rather expected that SSE would be able to pick up the meter where it left off. Apparently this was more complicated than one might think. After another phone call this morning, they might be on the right track...

Blinko

Ah, the age of technology! Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Luddite but I do wish there was greater in-depth testing of the some of the more important technology prior to its release (or should that read 'escape'?)

The problem facing any manufacturer of high-tech equipment is that the very complexity of its software results in potentially millions if not billions of permutations of the code.

To test for vulnerabilities in that many variations is simply not practical. Consequently, this is why we so often see the 'Beta version' being released, whereby the public effectively test the software, simply by using it and report their findings/problems back to the manufacturer, who then issues a 'patch' to fix the highlighted problem.

Hackers, on the other hand, just love to explore software for vulnerabilities, which they then either exploit or bring to the attention of others, dependent upon their mindset.

One of my greatest concerns is the Internet of Things. This can be anything one buys these days, from a washing machine or other 'white goods', through TVs and audio-visual equipment, and even down to individual 'light bulbs', all of which may have the potential to wirelessly connect to your home router/hub without your knowledge, for the purpose of communicating usage information to the manufacturer.

The problem lies with the software which, often devoid of any security measures due to cost, represents a potential 'back-door' method of entry to hackers/criminals seeking to exploit access to legitimately connected equipment such as pc's, laptops, Kindle's, etc.

Many years ago, when Windows 95 was current, a friend of mine cracked the Windows code (that's a terrible pun, sorry!) of one of the computers at work, such that when the user next logged-on, the splash-screen displayed,

Welcome to Microsoft Windows 95 and a half!

I'd heard that the current roll out, scheduled to be completed by 2020 is likely to run into difficulties (!) because new versions aren't up and running yet and when they are, are unlikely to be compatible with former versions. Great joy all round by the looks of it!

It would seem that problems abound in all directions including energy supplier staff training.

Several months ago, as my Smart electricity meter was unable to talk to my current energy supplier, I had been taking manual readings.

Then it started displaying an Error Code. I contacted my supplier for advice and was told to, 'Press the button' (to reset). When I said that I was unable to access the button owing to the Perspex bubble, she replied, 'What bubble?'

I said, 'the bubble covering the meter to prevent tampering with the equipment'. The conversation continued with, 'Why does it have a bubble - Smart meters don't need a bubble!'

As the conversation progressed, it became increasingly like a Monty Python sketch. At the point when I had had enough, I said, 'Will you just take the Smart meter away and replace it with a dumb meter, please?'

The reply I received was, 'You have to have Smart meters - it's the law!' I corrected her by saying that it wasn't the law to have a Smart meter, only to be offered one.

Eventually I was given a date seven weeks in the future, when an engineer would call to perform the swap.

When that day came, it was lashing down with rain! The engineer said he couldn't do the meter swap for Health & Safety reasons (the house has outside meter cabinets) and I would have to make a new appointment!

I asked him if he had a tent similar to those used by BT and other utilities. Answer - 'No!' I said, living in a country where the likelihood of rain was quite high, don't you think ....!

I think he felt sorry for me since he said, 'well, at least I can change the gas meter', which he did. By the time he'd finished, the rain had reduced to a drizzle and I offered to stand with an umbrella over him while he changed the electricity meter!

I can laugh about it now!

You couldn't make it up!

My mum had been considering having a smart meter, following pressure from her energy supplier. Having read all these comments, I will advise her against it, as I can't face the thought of having to sort out any subsequent meter problems with them, having found out the hard way how utterly incompetent they can be in dealing with what should be simple, straightforward matters!

I had been with First Utility for 4 years and was quite happy with their prices and overall service but, when my contract came up for renewal at the beginning of this year, I was offered one price if I agreed to have a Smart Meter installed, and a very much higher price if I didn't. I didnt renew the contract with them; went to Bulb and reduced my monthly payments with no Smart Meter.

All this chaos and inefficiency in public utilities is not new. I recall many years ago, when we still had the 'Gas Board', an aunt of mine had a problem with her gas fire.

She contacted the local Gas Board who sent an engineer to examine the fire. He concluded that it required some new part or other, which he would order and be fitted in due course. Before he left, he shut-off the gas to the fire and stuck a 'Condemned - do not use' label on it!

A few days later, there was a knock at the door and a bloke from the Gas Board gave my aunt a small cardboard box of parts for the fire. As he started to walk away, she asked if he was going to fit the parts. 'Oh no', came the reply, 'that's a job for a fitter, I'm only delivering the bits!'

A few more days pass and there is another knock at the door. 'Gas Board' says the caller, dressed in motorcycle helmet, gloves and long coat! 'I've come to repair your gas fire; have the parts arrived?' 'Yes', says my aunt who then invites him in.

Off comes the helmet, the gloves and the coat. While my aunt went to make him a cup of tea, he must have opened the box of parts because when my aunt came in from the kitchen with the tea, the fitter was putting his coat, gloves and helmet back on! She asked him if he had done the job already, to which he replied, 'Oh no, they've sent the wrong parts!'

The entire procedure was repeated with another delivery, followed by another fitter who eventually completed the repair.

In all, it took five visits by five different people over a period of nearly three weeks before the fire was working again!

It seems that with the passage of time, very little has changed!

I change each year when I get what sounds like a better offer from a new company. Just moved to Bulb., I have asked the last 4 companies, so 4 years, for a smart meter and was told they are not rolled out in my area yet. Bulb said middle of 1018, so any time now? The meter will show me what I use, which should be an improvement.

I started shouting gibberish just now when I read about people being pressured to GET the smart meter!

I really like Ovo. They might not be quite the cheapest for me, but I really feel in control so I'm sticking with them. Every month I read my own meters and submit the readings online. A few days later, Ovo come back and show me exactly what I am using and paying for, with all kinds of graphs about my usage. I have a direct debit which I can move up or down at will if my payments are getting out of line. I have found Ovo staff easy to contact and really helpful if I have a problem.

Oh God! Just received the dreaded EDF 'estimated usage for next year' and announcement of impending change to direct debit. For no reason I can think of we're apparently going to use almost double the amount of energy with resultant doubling of direct debit.
I foresee a fraught morning on the phone to EDF tomorrow morning. The only good thing about them is that they have a direct dial phone system for 'vulnerable' people like me. Definition of vulnerable being over 60. Give me strength!

More on EDF....

For the second time EDF have 'estimated' our dual fuel usage (without a proper meter reading, naturally) and found that, in order to make up a projected shortfall we would have incurred by the end of the summer, we need to virtually double our monthly direct debit.

Had my DH not phoned them and argued the toss, pointing out that, with decreased summer usage the likelihood would be that we would actually enter winter with a large credit balance, they would have siphoned the best part of two and half grand out of our account by this time next year.

You really and truly could not make it up. It cannot possibly be an accident and I see from above posts that EDF have tried it on with all or most of its customers.

What about the little old ladies (or men) who cannot argue with a large institution or business over the phone? Or those who do not know how to challenge a dodgy bill? Or those so overwhelmed by work they have not time to spend a morning on the phone?

The 'customer service' that many utilities and businesses offer their customers nowadays is little short of immoral.

Thank goodness for Martin Lewis who recommends we shop around and even has an energy club which emails you when your tariff can be bettered elsewhere.

I am also with Ovo and Yes, they want to increase my DD from £70 per month to 90 a month. A bit of an increase.
I am looking to do some comparisons but several other providers are not that much cheaper.
Also, not all energy providers award the Warm home discount which I am entitled to.
I really don’t know what to do for the best now.
I read my own meters, but they say my bill,has been estimated which I’m annoyed about.

Will have to make another phone call I think.

I transferred to PfP last year and have been impressed with them and I don't impress easily. I read my meters every month and so know exactly how much energy we consume. I've done this for several years so I have lots of data to back up my decision as to which company is using accurate projections of our usage. Whether it's fuel, car insurance, house insurance if the quote is too high then get on the phone and you will no doubt be offered a better deal. I'm paying less for our house insurance and central heating insurance than I did last year. Well worth a free phone call

A few years ago I changed to EON after much discussion and a promise to reduce my bills by £10 A month. Then after a year they sent me a bill for £150 saying that my usage had been higher than anticipated, needless to say I soon changed provider

I have been with EDF for some time now. I have to be with one of the larger companies as I am entitled to the Warm Home Discount (paid directly to my electricity supplier), but only the larger companies seem to be able to provide this.
I have usually changed tariff whenever they advise me to do so on my bill (on the computer). Accidently, last time I did this I agreed to go on one with expensive cancellation clause (my own fault, did not read fully). So, am waiting for that to reach its end before changing.
Yes, they do amend the DD payment, although on several occasions I have felt it was too low and have amended it myself upwards. I would rather be in credit than owe them money.
However, if my credit reaches over £100 they automatically send to my bank account a rebate for that amount.
I do keep very careful documentation of my usage over the last few years, and I am happy with service that EDF provide. I like their on-line assistant help service, which I have found easy to use and always get good help.
I have now agreed to have a smart meter in my home in a couple of months time. I do find getting down on my knees to make meter readings increasingly difficult so look forward to not having to do that ever again.
As for monitoring my actual usage - well, I think I know that if I switch on my electric oven there is likely to be surge, etc in my usage - so not sure how useful that will be for me, but I will wait to see.

Companies get away with this because they have government support. This government has done nothing to help reduce energy prices - quite the reverse, it has imposed the need for R&D and placed the responsibility for funding this in the hands of the consumers instead of in the hands of the treasury. Plain and simple.