ᐅ Utility company has incorrect meter numbers in their system – what should I do?
Created on: 4 Sep 2023 15:53
K
kati1337
Hello everyone,
We have received the welcome letters from our local supplier (Pfalzwerke) confirming that we have been placed on the basic supply tariff. We have two meters, and Pfalzwerke is demanding a total prepayment of 390€.
Of course, we don’t want to pay that much, so we intended to switch to another electricity provider based on our actual, calculated electricity consumption.
However, we noticed that the meter numbers on the welcome letters are incorrect. After speaking with Pfalzwerke Netz by phone, it turned out that these wrong meter numbers from the letters are registered in their system. They do not recognize the actual meter numbers we have on our meters.
When I asked what I should do next, the customer service agent didn’t have an answer. He advised against signing a contract using the incorrect meter numbers registered in their system since these might belong to someone else (??). Also, entering a contract with the correct meter numbers likely won’t work because these are unknown to the grid operator’s system.
Do you have any suggestions on how I should proceed? I definitely don’t want to be stuck on their basic supply tariff. Their reputation in the region, judging by Google reviews, matches my experience: they seem overwhelmed and understaffed. I don’t expect any quick resolution from the grid operator.
What would you do in my place? Would you pay these absurdly high prepayments? Honestly, I don’t see why I should. Those aren’t my meter numbers, the calculation is baseless and not transparent. They don’t even have my SEPA mandate yet.
I am considering simply not paying when the first prepayment is due or disputing the payment because the meter number is not mine. Is the contract even valid? First, the meter number is wrong. Secondly, the cancellation policy states a "14-day period starting from the day the contract was concluded." The contract is dated August 14, but I only received the letter explaining these terms on August 28. Moreover, it was sent to the construction site address and just left there without a mailbox. The meters were also installed later than the supposed contract date.
On the other hand, I do not want them to cut off our power. The first prepayment is due at the end of September. If nothing is resolved by then, I am thinking of involving a lawyer.
Additionally, I am considering going ahead and signing my desired electricity contract using the CORRECT meter numbers as seen in the meter cabinet, and just waiting to see what happens.
We have received the welcome letters from our local supplier (Pfalzwerke) confirming that we have been placed on the basic supply tariff. We have two meters, and Pfalzwerke is demanding a total prepayment of 390€.
Of course, we don’t want to pay that much, so we intended to switch to another electricity provider based on our actual, calculated electricity consumption.
However, we noticed that the meter numbers on the welcome letters are incorrect. After speaking with Pfalzwerke Netz by phone, it turned out that these wrong meter numbers from the letters are registered in their system. They do not recognize the actual meter numbers we have on our meters.
When I asked what I should do next, the customer service agent didn’t have an answer. He advised against signing a contract using the incorrect meter numbers registered in their system since these might belong to someone else (??). Also, entering a contract with the correct meter numbers likely won’t work because these are unknown to the grid operator’s system.
Do you have any suggestions on how I should proceed? I definitely don’t want to be stuck on their basic supply tariff. Their reputation in the region, judging by Google reviews, matches my experience: they seem overwhelmed and understaffed. I don’t expect any quick resolution from the grid operator.
What would you do in my place? Would you pay these absurdly high prepayments? Honestly, I don’t see why I should. Those aren’t my meter numbers, the calculation is baseless and not transparent. They don’t even have my SEPA mandate yet.
I am considering simply not paying when the first prepayment is due or disputing the payment because the meter number is not mine. Is the contract even valid? First, the meter number is wrong. Secondly, the cancellation policy states a "14-day period starting from the day the contract was concluded." The contract is dated August 14, but I only received the letter explaining these terms on August 28. Moreover, it was sent to the construction site address and just left there without a mailbox. The meters were also installed later than the supposed contract date.
On the other hand, I do not want them to cut off our power. The first prepayment is due at the end of September. If nothing is resolved by then, I am thinking of involving a lawyer.
Additionally, I am considering going ahead and signing my desired electricity contract using the CORRECT meter numbers as seen in the meter cabinet, and just waiting to see what happens.
H
HeimatBauer6 Sep 2023 11:37dab_dab schrieb:
Bayernwerk and EON took almost 2 years to correctly register my cascade system in their system. Before that, I always had to pay for household electricity including the heat pump consumption on top (the heat pump consumption alone was, of course, also calculated). I can’t believe it – that’s exactly my setup and my experience! Make sure to check if they have even classified you under heating electricity, because when they finally accepted what a heat pump cascade is, they recorded everything as household electricity. That cost me another half year and many phone calls until they finally admitted it and had to pay back a four-figure amount.
You could almost suspect intent, but my calls gave the impression that they really just don’t know any better. That doesn’t make it better, just less criminal.
Thank you, so far yes, but I will continue to keep an eye on it. Thanks for the tip.
The fact that it took so long to reach a competent and authorized person was really frustrating.
First, you have to fight your way through the waiting loops and the call center, which has long since been outsourced from the headquarters, much like in a video game. Then, when you finally reach the central office—the supposed final boss—the friendly lady said: I will check this and get back to you. To my great surprise, she actually did get back to me the very next day and had already arranged the refund. So it can happen that quickly. Unfortunately, only after almost 2 years.
I do find it quite unsettling that letters were simply not responded to at all.
The fact that it took so long to reach a competent and authorized person was really frustrating.
First, you have to fight your way through the waiting loops and the call center, which has long since been outsourced from the headquarters, much like in a video game. Then, when you finally reach the central office—the supposed final boss—the friendly lady said: I will check this and get back to you. To my great surprise, she actually did get back to me the very next day and had already arranged the refund. So it can happen that quickly. Unfortunately, only after almost 2 years.
I do find it quite unsettling that letters were simply not responded to at all.
A quick update on this: I spoke with the electrician today. Apparently, the meter numbers are indeed incorrect.
Since we built with photovoltaic panels, meters were apparently installed and then replaced immediately afterwards. That seems to be standard procedure when you have photovoltaic systems. I don’t quite understand the reason for this, and it must have happened within a very short time—but now we know more.
I’ve now tried to switch to a different provider using the old meter numbers. Let’s see what happens.
Since we built with photovoltaic panels, meters were apparently installed and then replaced immediately afterwards. That seems to be standard procedure when you have photovoltaic systems. I don’t quite understand the reason for this, and it must have happened within a very short time—but now we know more.
I’ve now tried to switch to a different provider using the old meter numbers. Let’s see what happens.
R
RotorMotor11 Sep 2023 14:56But how are the meters connected then?
Can your heat pump use electricity from photovoltaic panels or not?
Can your heat pump use electricity from photovoltaic panels or not?
H
HeimatBauer11 Sep 2023 15:06kati1337 schrieb:
Since we installed photovoltaic panels, meters were apparently installed and then immediately replaced. It seems that’s always the case when you get a photovoltaic system. I only know that a meter has to be replaced if it’s one without a reverse flow prevention. Such meters should not really be installed anymore. But if the grid operator’s policy is to always replace the meter with photovoltaic setups, then that’s what they will do, whether it makes sense or not.
Was the same meter model reinstalled, or was it replaced with a supposedly “smarter” meter? It could be that the grid operator reserves the right to do this for photovoltaic systems.
kati1337 schrieb:
I’ve now tried switching to another provider using the old meter numbers. Let’s see what happens. Are the old meter numbers still registered with the grid operator? Because the electricity provider will ask the grid operator: “Will you provide consumption data for these meters in the future?” and then the grid operator has to agree.
RotorMotor schrieb:
But how are the meters connected?
Can your heat pump use photovoltaic electricity or not? Yes. This is called "Power To Heat," a term that is now widely used but somewhat misleading. We have a main electricity meter and a separate meter for household electricity. The heat pump consumption is calculated by subtracting the household electricity from the total electricity.
The photovoltaic electricity is first used for the household (and battery), then for the heat pump.
HeimatBauer schrieb:
Are the old meter numbers still registered with the grid operator? Because the energy supplier will go to the grid operator and ask: "Will you provide readings from these meters going forward?" and then the grid operator has to agree. Yes, that’s why I used these readings. Nobody knows when they will update this in their system. I would like to switch retroactively to the new supplier since their rates are cheaper and, more importantly, their payment installments make sense.
With the default supplier, I can only reduce my installments online by about 20 euros. How they come up with these crazy installment amounts (400€) is a mystery to me.
My sister had the same problem with them and has been struggling for over two years to get her refund (four-digit amount). That’s why I definitely won’t pay such high installments. They can get their interest-free loan from someone else.
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