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
HeimatBauer25 Sep 2023 18:35To everyone with a heat pump cascade system, a tip from someone who unfortunately realized this far too late: Create your own Excel sheet to calculate your meter readings! I just finished a weeks-long dispute with the grid operator and electricity provider where I was finally able to prove their calculation errors!
One row per reading! Electricity companies don’t always bill according to calendar years, and sometimes the billing period can be 14 months long.
First four columns: total meter consumption/feed-in, Hamburg meter consumption/feed-in.
Three calculated columns: calculated heat pump meter, Hamburg meter, feed-in to the grid (you can also calculate feed-in to the heat pump—that would be the power-to-heat dividend).
Three calculated columns with the difference (end of billing period minus start of billing period), e.g. November 1 minus October 31.
Enter ALL FOUR meter readings from the start! In my case, the grid operator repeatedly made questionable adjustments such as simply estimating 1,600 kWh (5,500,000 BTU) less on a bill than what I reported on the same report along with all other values. These errors tend to balance out over multiple periods, but the bill doesn’t match initially—and if the payment installments are then calculated by dividing a 14-month billing period (which covers two heating seasons) by 12, the resulting payments will be off.
One row per reading! Electricity companies don’t always bill according to calendar years, and sometimes the billing period can be 14 months long.
First four columns: total meter consumption/feed-in, Hamburg meter consumption/feed-in.
Three calculated columns: calculated heat pump meter, Hamburg meter, feed-in to the grid (you can also calculate feed-in to the heat pump—that would be the power-to-heat dividend).
Three calculated columns with the difference (end of billing period minus start of billing period), e.g. November 1 minus October 31.
Enter ALL FOUR meter readings from the start! In my case, the grid operator repeatedly made questionable adjustments such as simply estimating 1,600 kWh (5,500,000 BTU) less on a bill than what I reported on the same report along with all other values. These errors tend to balance out over multiple periods, but the bill doesn’t match initially—and if the payment installments are then calculated by dividing a 14-month billing period (which covers two heating seasons) by 12, the resulting payments will be off.
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