What to do if you think you are being overcharged for electricity?

What to do if you think you are being overcharged for electricity?

Don’t despair if you’ve been paying too much for electricity and gas. You’re entitled to a refund from your energy supplier, whether the overcharging is due to billing errors or a faulty meter. A simple way to check if you’re owed any money due to overpayment of estimated figures is to look at your online account.

How far back can you be charged for electricity?

12 months
If you haven’t received an accurate gas or electricity bill for over a year, you might not have to pay for all the energy you’ve used. Under ‘back billing’ rules, your supplier cannot send you a bill for energy you used more than 12 months ago.

Can electric companies overcharge?

Utilities are one of those things that no business can avoid paying for. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for businesses to be overcharged when the end of the month rolls around and not notice. If you’re wondering about your utility bills, here are some signs you should start looking for.

Why has my electricity bill doubled?

Cumulatively, you may see your bill spike because of a combination of particularly cold weather, energy inefficiency around the home, and poorly performing insulation. If your bill has increased dramatically, then it may be time to look at tariffs from other suppliers.

When should I expect my first electric bill?

You typically receive your first electricity bill from First Choice Power within 4 to 6 weeks after your switch to us goes into effect. You should also receive your last electricity bill from your prior retail electricity provide within 2 to 4 weeks after your switch to First Choice Power goes into effect.

Can my smart meter be wrong?

Smart meters should mean more accurate bills because they should send readings directly to your supplier – meaning no more estimated bills. But they are still machines and inevitably can – and may very well – go wrong. Only time will tell if they will be more accurate at providing meter readings.

Why is my electric usage suddenly so high?

One of the main reasons your electric bill may be high is that you leave your appliances or electronics plugged in whether you’re using them or not. The problem is, these devices are sitting idle, sucking electricity out of your home while waiting for a command from you, or waiting for a scheduled task to run.

Why is my electricity meter overcharging me?

Thousands of electricity customers could be finding themselves overcharged due to inaccurate electricity meter clocks. Which? has uncovered problems with some timed meters which mean customers have been left hundreds of pounds out of pocket.

How can I find out if my energy supplier overcharged me?

A simple way to check if you’re owed any money due to overpayment of estimated figures is to look at your online account. Credit is automatically refunded by the big six suppliers annually, but if you use a smaller supplier you’re more likely to have to ask for your money back.

How often should a meter reading be done to avoid overcharging?

To avoid being overcharged due to estimated bills, submit a meter reading at least four times per year – or once every three months. This provides an average electric bill accounting for seasonal changes in temperature and corresponding energy use.

What to do if your electric bill keeps going up?

If you suspect that your high electric bills are caused by a faulty meter, try these steps first: Turn off all your appliances and lights for at least three hours. Watch your meter during this time. If the numbers keep going up, there could be a fault. Check your digital meter.