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.

[kiplette]

Leon (or anyone else, tbf), have you used providers where the bonus (es) are a significant discount? Did you get the advertised bonuses, especially the Neukunden ones after your 12 months, even if you then switched at that point? Trying to decide which switch - too many choices, so many variables...

[kiplette]

Well, Wednesday evening we found an overlooked Jahresabrechnung from the Stadtwerke which luckily I opened straight away, since it asks for 16.000€ to be paid by the 10th April. We had a Zählerwechsel last October, and kid#3 who was here at the time doesn't have a photo of the number at the time.

We made the earliest appointment which was for this morning at 10.15 which was obv a lie because it's closed for Karfreitag. Next appointment Monday, not falling for that again

We've booked the next available actual real appointment - Monday 13th.

It has been suggested that we do a Widerspruch against the Rechnung straight away (well, for Tuesday given they'll be shut until then).
Anyone had any experience with this sort of thing? We have photos of previous years and obv Jahresrechnungen and so can say last year was x€ so this doesn't make sense...

Or we wait until that appointment and explain then? Although it's after the payment deadline? Or go on Tuesday morning when it opens and ask the person on reception what is the best thing to do? Assuming there is such a thing - we've not been for 10 years or so, so the online appointment system was already a surprise...

[PandaMunich]

Yes, you need to do an immediate Widerspruch by e-mail, to which you attach last year's invoice.
Immediately pay what last year's invoice was, and also attach the proof of payment, since that is what you are reasonably expected to pay.

[kiplette]

Oh, super, thank you. Usually we don't have to pay anything, rather we get money back from them, so just the Widerspruch, with a copy of last year's Jarhresrechnung, then?

[PandaMunich]

Gas prices in 2025 rose by about 15% compared to 2024:

2026-04-03 17_16_34.jpg (227.9 KiB) Viewed 52 times

--> please compare 1.15 * costs_2024 with your 2025 prepayments.
--> if you then end up owing something, transfer that, to show your goodwill.

Please take care to mention your Kundennummer and the words "Geschätzte reale Kosten 2025, basiserend auf 115% der Kosten 2024. Zahlung unter Vorbehalt" in the subject of the transfer, so that they can allocate that money correctly.
And then attach the proof of that payment to your Widerspruch.

You are not trying to dodge paying at all, you are willing to pay a reasonable amount, just not the exorbitant 16,000€ they want.

[kiplette]

Excellent, thank you.