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| Thread ID: 71584 | 2006-08-10 00:08:00 | power meter actual read vs estimate read question | lance4k (4644) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 477508 | 2006-08-10 00:08:00 | ok my power bill 2 months ago was $250 which was a Estimate read,and 1 month ago it was $500 which was an Actual read. So for this months power bill if they do an Estimate read would it be based on 1 month ago where my Actual read was $500 or 2 months ago where my Estimate read was $250? HOw is an estimate read calculated? Do they have a computer in their officies to read everyone's meter but it's not that accurate so they call it an estimate read? It's because last month I had 3 other people living with me so 3 extra showers,oven use,stereo,had their own laptops etc and I don't have them living with me this month which is why my power bill was $500 last month. |
lance4k (4644) | ||
| 477509 | 2006-08-10 00:25:00 | "Actual" reads involve the meter reader, a person, who physically comes to your house and reads the meter and enters it into a little PDA type gadget he/she carries around. Estimated reads can be calculated from all sorts of information - eg. previous year's usage for this time of year, recent usage, all sorts of factors. I doubt they'll just take last month's bill and charge you the same amount for this month's estimate. |
somebody (208) | ||
| 477510 | 2006-08-10 00:37:00 | They go by how much power was use the same time last year. It is something that has pissed me off for a long time since they use an estimate at the same time last year which was inaccurate. It was a recurring problem. They don't seem to have the capability of averaging the two months usage of a year ago (which would include one estimate and one true reading, thus giving an accurate amount) and using this as a more accurate figure. It meant I was always being overcharged on estimates. I always read my meter when I get an estimated bill and give them the reading over the phone and get them to send out another bill. This way you pay the correct amount and they don't get you to pay more than you need (I would rather keep the money in my hands than give them more than they need). |
user (1404) | ||
| 477511 | 2006-08-10 01:42:00 | Even if you are "overcharged" on an estimated bill, you're not paying "more" money, it's just an advance against your "actual" bill the following month. The only problem is those on a fixed income often can't afford the higher estimates - as user suggests, read your meter yourself and ask for a new bill. Alternatively, set up an Automatic Payment (Genesis offer EvenPay, which is an Automatic Payment/Direct Debit hybrid), with payments to come out every payday. I set this up for all bills (rent, phone, power, internet, etc), and slightly overestimated each amount. If you keep previous bills, it's not too complicated to work out for yourself what you're likely to spend each week/fortnight/month. As a result, I have credits each month with Telecom, Genesis, Xnet, which cover the occasional overspend in certain months. And when I go to shift, and close those accounts, I have a nice little bonus to be paid out... It's surprising how many people don't pay by AP/DD, and have to try and scrape together the money for bills each month. |
Lizard (2409) | ||
| 477512 | 2006-08-10 01:56:00 | I personally like to keep the money in my account earning interest than give the money to a power company to earn the interest for themselves. There is no benefit to me overpaying a company. | user (1404) | ||
| 477513 | 2006-08-10 02:04:00 | You will note that if you underpay, or pay late, they can charge penalties. If you overpay, even from a grossly exorbitant estimate, tough. They don't have to repay it, nor allow interest. This is what is called a "level playing field". |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 477514 | 2006-08-10 02:36:00 | It depends on the company. Here is what contact energy says: We will base any estimate of energy supplied to you on either: • the daily average of the energy that you used in the same period the previous year; or • the daily average of the energy that you used (or were estimated to have used) in the last two billing periods, if you’ve been at your address for less than a year; or • the tariff daily average or interim override daily average consumption where there isn’t enough history to use one of the above options. You just ring them up if your estimate is quite a bit out. |
gibler (49) | ||
| 477515 | 2006-08-10 02:58:00 | I personally like to keep the money in my account earning interest than give the money to a power company to earn the interest for themselves. There is no benefit to me overpaying a company. Benefits: Peace-of-mind; no unexpected bills to pay Cons: Loss of interest (approx. $5pa) After a couple of years, I guess the CEO of those companies gets a free latte out of me. But then I've never been a big coffee drinker. Each to their own, I guess. |
Lizard (2409) | ||
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