I'll know in future.purple that's shocking, I had this problem with them some years ago so now I have a reminder set on my phone and I call in the reading every 2nd month to try avoid it happening again. You are lucky that you have the few bob but its the principle! 3500 that's one heck of a holiday!
Good question! I don't know.Aren't the ESB obliged to take a reading at least X times a year?
ProbablyDid the readings on your bill always say "E" for 'estimate'?
There was the odd note (one or two a year). I'll phone in a reading in future.Did they not drop in a note to say they'd called and couldn't get access? I usually get these and then phone in the reading. On the odd occasion I do bump into the meter reader - well, to be fair, they're no longer using copy books! (Maybe that's how long since you last saw one?)
When you receive an estimated bill and it is not in line with actual usage as read from your meter then [broken link removed]. You should always check your bill to ensure that it is accurate (whether it uses a meter reading or an estimate). As you can see from that page ESB meter readers are supposed to call at least 4 times a year. Many (most?) houses have the meters outside the house these days so the meter reader does not need anybody to be home to make a reading. I suspect that the meter reading also serves as a manual check that the meter is not being tampered with (as some people have done using magnets etc. in the past). The [broken link removed] may have some more information on obligations that the ESB may have in this context. If you suspect that the meter is faulty and leading to overcharging then you should contact the ESB to have it checked out. If the meter is not faulty then even if bills are estimated things should balance out in the long run since you have to pay for whatever electricity you actually use one way or another. If you are otherwise not happy with how ESB have dealt with this matter then [broken link removed].Aren't the ESB obliged to take a reading at least X times a year?
Did the readings on your bill always say "E" for 'estimate'?
Presumably they did - the "E" on a bill means "Estimated". Or are you saying that they omitted to send you any bill for this period and then landed you with one big one?If, over a period of two and a half years, they couldn't get at the meter why didn't they write to me and let me know?
Do many people still have their meter indoors requiring access to the home to do a meter reading?
They sent bills over the last two years and I paid them. This bill is on top of that.Presumably they did - the "E" on a bill means "Estimated". Or are you saying that they omitted to send you any bill for this period and then landed you with one big one?
Can you clarify if you are disputing this bill or that you actually used the amount of electricity for which you have been billed? How did you suddenly get a bill for €3,500? What period does this bill relate to? Have you been receiving and paying your bills every two months as normal?
How much were the bills up to now? Were they all estimated? Are you saying that for 2.5 years your bills were all estimated and when they finally read the meter the estimates were way below what was actually used? I suspect that you can arrange to discharge this bill over a period of time if you didn't want to pay it in one go.They sent bills over the last two years and I paid them. This bill is on top of that.
How did you managed to rack up that bill? Is this a domestic or business/industrial bill?I will check the bill when I get home to see what period it is for but I am not disputing the amount at this time.
Why would somebody not pay for electricity that they have actually used?I can afford to pay it but many would not.
Bills normally don't come with a covering letter.My gripe is that it was just dropped in the post with no cover note.
About €180 every two monthsHow much were the bills up to now? Were they all estimated?
That’s what I asked them. It’s just a house. We did get some work done this year but there was no heavy plant used, just power tools.How did you managed to rack up that bill? Is this a domestic or business/industrial bill?
Yes but they are not usually for 20 times the usual amount.Bills normally don't come with a covering letter.
All estimated?About €180 every two months
Are you sure that this might not be part of the reason for heavier than normal usage?That’s what I asked them. It’s just a house. We did get some work done this year but there was no heavy plant used, just power tools.
I don't think it matters. You don't get a letter unless you are in arrears as far as I know.Yes but they are not usually for 20 times the usual amount.
The other reason to give a reading regularly is that you pay at the rate you use the power at - ESB prices have gone up a fair whack in the last couple of years, so you are paying a premium (the current price (boom boom!)) for power you used a couple of years ago (when it was cheaper).
I don’t know, I’ll have a look this evening.All estimated?
Nope, it may account for the whole lot.Are you sure that this might not be part of the reason for heavier than normal usage?
That’s kind of the point that I was making.I don't think it matters. You don't get a letter unless you are in arrears as far as I know.
Good point, it’s worth asking the question.If this is correct, I would attempt to negotiate. Charging the whole lot at current unit rates seems unreasonable.
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