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Hi,

 

I have a smart meter why do I get estimated readings on my Bill? I thought a smart meter would know my correct readings.

 

Jonboy.

 

the accounts team "have a backlog and rectifying the bill wasn't a priority".

Amazing that anyone in a customer support role would actually say that.

If it’s true then somebody should give the ‘accounts team’ a swift kick up the backside, and remind them that for customers getting the correct billing would be seen as a basic essential, and the highest priority to fix if it isn’t correct


I know - couldn't believe it when I got that response. Apparently of the previous person I spoke to had flagged it as highly important it would have been looked at sooner. It's been a month and still not done. Must be one hell of a backlog 


Hey @Rheamean14,

 

I have asked our Forum_Support team reach out to you so they can help look into this further.

Look out for a private message here soon: https://forum.ovoenergy.com/inbox/overview.


I’m curious  , how I can use 8 to 12 kWh per day and then suddenly jump to 17.58 kWH yesterday? I was at work all day, only home in the evening.. No heating on… minimal hot water usage … 

Can someone explain to me please? To me it looks like I’m being charged for gas i’ve not used… 

Ta Much 

8 May 2024 11.91 kWh
9 May 2024 11.83 kWh
10 May 2024 9.75 kWh
11 May 2024 8.84 kWh
12 May 2024 11.30 kWh
13 May 2024 8.74 kWh
14 May 2024 9.78 kWh
15 May 2024 8.94 kWh
16 May 2024 17.58 kWh

Do you have a Smart Meter for gas, or are you sending manual readings?

Is that 16th May figure an actual reading or is it an estimate?

If it's an estimate then in some circumstances they can sometimes be well out like that, I've had that issue myself in the past with estimated gas usage.
(Generally why it happens with some estimates is known, but the circumstances and details are complicated to pin down and fix - it is being investigated).

If you already have a smart meter for gas then it may simply be that that days reading was not received at OVO for whatever reason, in which case they would estimate (possibly by too much) for that day until they did get a new reading at which point the estimate(s) would be corrected to your actual use.

If you have a ‘manual reading’ meter and not 'smart' then one way you can have an influence yourself on reducing incorrect/too-high estimates is to send more frequent meter readings.
Weekly at least, and I'd suggest perhaps daily for the first week or two to imitate what a smart meter does.
I have done that myself with my manual reading gas meter and can confirm that it works to reduce the estimates.
I’d also look at/request having it changed to a smart meter: https://www.ovoenergy.com/help/article/how-to-get-a-smart-meter

 


Thanks for your response

I do indeed have a smart meter, which isn’t very smart 😉 .. It often doesn’t pick up readings and I have to send a manual one in… It’s quite variable on sending readings and not sending them. 

The one from the 17th May was after I had done a manual reading as it had been a good few days since it was picked up… 

 

 


Thanks for your response

I do indeed have a smart meter, which isn’t very smart 😉 .. It often doesn’t pick up readings and I have to send a manual one in…

Then the 16th May was probably just a too-high estimate, and should be corrected once a new reading was/is received.


Then the 16th May was probably just a too-high estimate, 

 

This should be apparent from the reading history page: smart readings, estimates and manual readings should be labelled as such.

 


Hi @Amerififer

 

I can see some great advice has already been given by our forum volunteers about this.

 

As we don’t have access to your account here we can only really guess what has caused this jump in gas usage. It sounds like it is most likely to be an estimated reading however, I’d advise contacting our Support team so they can look into this further for you.

 

Please let us know how you get on.


Hi, 

I have received two bills for the same time period but the second bill states: 

"Here's your statement explained for the period ddate] to odate], it replaces our charges of £x including VAT of £x"

Ovo have then charged my account for both bills even though the second bill has the statement above written on. 

Both bills have the same start readings but different end readings. The calculation for the second bill is correct and considers the start and end. 

Should the first bill be disregarded in full sue to the statement?

Thanks 

​​​


Run away from ovo as fast as you can. 

I speak from experience. 


Ovo have then charged my account for both bills ...

Both bills have the same start readings but different end readings. The calculation for the second bill is correct and considers the start and end. 

Should the first bill be disregarded in full sue to the statement?

​​​

It rather depends on how you pay for your energy.

  • If you pay by Direct Debit, all you need to do is make sure that the first - incorrect - bill is removed from your account. Support should be able to make that happen.
  • If you pay on receipt of bill, you should pay whatever the second bill instructs you to, if you’re satisfied that it’s correct.

Do you have a smart meter? If not, were the readings used for these bills ones submitted by you or OVO estimates? If they were actual readings for the closing date of the bill, you have nothing to worry about. If they were estimates, make sure to submit regular readings including one on the first day of each billing period.   

Support should be able to sort this out after the weekend.

 

 


Concerned about a high bill? This topic may have some helpful advice.  

 

 

 Hey @Confused terminology 

 

I can understand your confusion! Firedog has given some helpful advice here:

 

Ovo have then charged my account for both bills ...

Both bills have the same start readings but different end readings. The calculation for the second bill is correct and considers the start and end. 

Should the first bill be disregarded in full sue to the statement?

​​​

It rather depends on how you pay for your energy.

  • If you pay by Direct Debit, all you need to do is make sure that the first - incorrect - bill is removed from your account. Support should be able to make that happen.
  • If you pay on receipt of bill, you should pay whatever the second bill instructs you to, if you’re satisfied that it’s correct.

Do you have a smart meter? If not, were the readings used for these bills ones submitted by you or OVO estimates? If they were actual readings for the closing date of the bill, you have nothing to worry about. If they were estimates, make sure to submit regular readings including one on the first day of each billing period.   

Support should be able to sort this out after the weekend.

 

 

 

I just wanted to add the following topic 😊

 

 

Pop back if you have any further questions.


Thanks firedog,

I really appreciate the advice. Its a shame the support team don't understand and i have got no further even with a complaint as the adviser said it would be the best action...


I’m sorry to hear this ​@Confused terminology. If you’re unhappy with the resolution the complaints team have proposed you can escalate your complaint further. Find out more about the complaints process here.


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