OVO over-estimated my usage - Will I be refunded now I've submitted meter readings?

Smart Meter in village with no phone signal...I usually use 300-350 units/month electricity. estimated pretty accurately over the last few years by OVO...estimated usage on latest bill 2000! Thanks for the heart attack OVO, I've now entered the readings on line...! My new monthly job..why the massive mistake though? 

Hey there @NAlbiston .

That sounds really weird and definitely shouldn’t have happened! You mentioned you’ve got a smart meter, but has it ever submitted readings successfully? If you can fill in your forum profile, that might help to provide some clues.

I think one of the main problems here, comes when you haven’t been submitting readings, your smart meters (if installed) aren’t sending anything in and there’s not much data to work with. If you’ve always relied purely on the estimated readings and never put actual readings in, you’re more likely to run into these issues.

The easiest way to force MyOVO to get back on track would be to pop some readings in every month. If you’re happy to submit more often (such as daily or weekly), this can also help to improve accuracy as well.

Thanks for posting, @NAlbiston - that must’ve been quite a shock!

Have a look at the ‘best answer’ in this topic, which I’ve quoted below:

So it’s that EAC which will determine the estimate being used. In the past I’ve seen human error be an issue which has meant this EAC figure suddenly changes and is wrong, needing updating. I would recommend you reach out to or Support team here (at the bottom) and get them to check that figure. 

Let us know if that’s the issue if you can!

Good afternoon 

I have an issue and it would be great to get some assistance please,my monthly bills have usually just been estimates but the last couple of months I sent through the actual readings and my bill usually came in around £115 to £130 per month then in April with the estimate it randomly jumped to £298 which I have no idea why it would of jumped so much in a single month? Has anyone got any suggestions as to why this may of happened?

many thanks in advance

Hi @Cese27 !

By the sounds of things, it’s possible that you’ve not been submitting many actual readings and been relying on Estimated Readings for a long time, which are only now being corrected by actual readings. This isn’t ideal as it throws the billing platform into a pretty confused state.

Do you have a smart meter by any chance? If you’re able to snap some photos of your meters and post them in your next reply, this may provide some extra clues as well.

Thank you for the reply,no I haven’t got a smart meter as I was informed that I couldn’t have one at my property for some reason,I have sold the property now and am moving out next weekend so I wanted to get my bill in order before I left,as it was such a massive jump in price it has really shocked me,I will post a photo when I return home from work today 

many thanks 

Hi @Cese27,

Great point to raise on the jump you’ve seen to your estimated readings after supplying some actual meters readings in the past couple of months and @Blastoise186  makes a great suggestion as to what may have caused this.

 I’ve moved your question over to a similar thread as I think you’ll find the information above helpful in explaining why your estimated usage may change.

As you’re now closing your account, the most important thing to remember is to take some final meter readings on the day you move out. You can submit these and let us know you’re moving out on your online account. This will ensure your final statement is accurate and will override any estimates that have been made since your last actual reading was submitted. 

Hope this helps clear things up and good luck with the move! Planning on staying with us at your new home? 

I’d have no issue staying providing I can get my issue resolved and don’t owe what my current bill shows

No worries @Cese27 !

You should be refunded for any overpayments as long as you give an accurate meter reading on the day you move out of your current property. It may take a while for the Final Bill to be generated, but if the credit in your account is sufficient to wipe out the Final Bill directly, it will be automatically paid from that and you’ll get the rest sent back to your bank account.

Actual readings always override estimates, so please make sure to get them in. If you’re able to put a few in on random days between now and when you move out as well, that should also help to get the billing platform back in sync - and should force it to recalculate more realistic bills.

We’ll be here if you need a hand. Good luck in the new place!

I administer my elderly parents account.They can’t get smart meter due to off peak meter.This month of missed the reading by 1 day and the estimated bill is £495!!!!!Bloody disgrace!!The estimating is 1700 kw for storage-in SUMMER!?Lucky if they’ve used 100kw.Now £195 in arrears…shocking