Utility readings rant

[Alberto]

Just logged onto my electricity provider and wanted tò submit my 1st electricity readings.
Meanwhile they already had one readings, not taken but rather "estimated", from 1yr ago.
Fact is, the readings I took today is actually lower than their "estimated" from 1yr ago (btw "estimated" is a nice word, just what does it mean???), and their portal rejects my submission. It Say like "a later reading cannot be lower than an earlier one"
They dont give a telephone number, so I emailed them. We will see....

[snowingagain]

I missed the window last year for submitting readings, and never got round to asking for a later one. So I guess the estimate was based on year before. We got real frugal in the meantime Have a very well insulated house so it is still 18.5 inside despite the dull weather so can get away with that. And showering at gym or pool. So 2 weeks ago I did readings. Tried entering in website but it just said "nicht plausible". So I had to send photos. Got a refund yesterday of over 1,600 Euro. Had only used 870 Euros worth of gas and Strom.

[Alberto]

... I did readings. Tried entering in website but it just said "nicht plausible".

This is the irritating thing.
They pretend to know better and they conclude garbage causing stress.

[snowingagain]

It is the "computer says no" thing. The Stadtwerke here allow off season reports online. But of course it varies from place to place. TBH teetering on a ladder in the dimly lit cellar trying to get legible photos was a pain. But I am old woman.

[bethannbitt]

It is the "computer says no" thing. The Stadtwerke here allow off season reports online. But of course it varies from place to place. TBH teetering on a ladder in the dimly lit cellar trying to get legible photos was a pain. But I am old woman.

You are superwoman!

[Franklan]

It is the "computer says no" thing. The Stadtwerke here allow off season reports online. But of course it varies from place to place. TBH teetering on a ladder in the dimly lit cellar trying to get legible photos was a pain. But I am old woman.

You are superwoman!

[Bayrisch_Dude]

On this topic.....

I just returned home after time with my more intelligent half. Yesterday, the Jahresabrechnung for her arrived. She showed it to me and I did some calculations to show it was off greatly. Seems this happened last year to her as well.

I've never seen a Jahresabrechnung like this. This is handled by Electrizität Berlin.

The year was 01.05.24 through 30.04.25, but broken into three time groups (WTF!):

First, 01.05.24 through 04.11.24
Second, 05.11.24 though 31.12.24
Last, 01.01.25 through 30.04.25

The Jahresabrechnung showed the amount she paid for the twelve months to the company was nearly half of what she actually paid them.

But the oddest part was the meter reading. An employee from the company came round last year only once (November 4, most like) and read the meter. So the end reading (30.04.25) shown on the Jahresabrechnung was estimated and was off by nearly 2000 KWh! In fact the reading for 31.12.24 was about 38 KWh more than what the meter displayed yesterday!

I was shocked at how this is conducted as it is defo not done like this here. Someone comes round here in October to read the meters and I receive the Jahresabrechung shortly there after with an end date of the day the meter was read.

What is up with is "guess-timated" meter reading?!?! Do some of you encounter this also or is this strictly an Electrizität Berlin matter?

I feel this needs to be reported to the Verbraucherzentrale.

Thoughts?

Oh, and I looked at Trustpilot just now. Elektrizität Berlin has a 1,2 Star rating from 1103 reviews. I can understand why.

[kiplette]

On this topic.....
Oh, and I looked at Trustpilot just now. Elektrizität Berlin has a 1,2 Star rating from 1103 reviews. I can understand why.

Ouch!

We read our own - get forms end of Dec to fill in and return for the New Year (or online codes). . The new monthly payment is based on previous years usage.

If we fail to fill it in, they guesstimate based on previous usage.

The lekky and gas, now with another provider (thanks, Check24) ask for readings each quarter, which we rarely provide, being used to the annual Stadtwerke system, but either way, we haven't had anyone read them personally for years. I guess when they change the Zähler, they make a record. That's only every few years, though.


'The Jahresabrechnung showed the amount she paid for the twelve months to the company was nearly half of what she actually paid them.'
That's shocking. And bizarro - she'll have proof, so that's not going to fly, so they are wasting everyone's time and money.

Presumably they've got a software problem or data entry difficulties or something. It is surely more expensive to individually sort out every separate Klage than do it correctly in the first place/invest in their processes.

[Emkay]

I can’t get the gas supplier to reduce my monthly payments for my mum‘s former home. They still insist on charging me 250€ per month despite only frost protection since last October and completely switched off since end of March. I’m still having to pay the amount my mum used to to super heat her home as an elderly lady. Maybe switching supplier is the only way to recalculate payment amount?

[Bayrisch_Dude]

I can’t get the gas supplier to reduce my monthly payments for my mum‘s former home. They still insist on charging me 250€ per month despite only frost protection since last October and completely switched off since end of March. I’m still having to pay the amount my mum used to to super heat her home as an elderly lady. Maybe switching supplier is the only way to recalculate payment amount?

I would defo switch suppliers. If the current supplier is needing to reimburse you yearly at what I can only imagine must be a massive amount, time to switch. There are numerous carriers who might better take care of your needs.

[LeonG]

I can’t get the gas supplier to reduce my monthly payments for my mum‘s former home. They still insist on charging me 250€ per month despite only frost protection since last October and completely switched off since end of March. I’m still having to pay the amount my mum used to to super heat her home as an elderly lady. Maybe switching supplier is the only way to recalculate payment amount?

Definitely switch suppliers. It will force a meter reading and you will get a new estimate from your new provider, hopefully more closely based on use. Keep in mind that some providers that offer you a good deal to switch may raise their prices when your contract period ends so it is a good idea to switch yearly. I use check24.de to find a new provider and they even email me when it's time to switch. Most providers have online portals so you can log in and send a new meter reading every month if you prefer.