If you get an estimated bill, your electricity retailer should give you the opportunity to provide your own reading and to have a new bill issued on the basis of your reading. However, many companies retain an extremely wide discretion on whether to accept readings provided by their customers.
- Contracts used by Energy Direct, Mercury Energy and Nova Energy state acceptance of any meter reading is at “our absolute discretion”.
- Contact Energy, Empower, Energy Online, Just Energy and Tiny Mighty Power similarly state they may accept readings at their discretion.
- Pulse Energy and Meridian Energy don’t have any terms in their contracts to allow consumers to provide readings when an estimate is sent.
- Meridian says customers can do this – but there’s no provision for it in the company’s standard terms and conditions.
9 of the 15 contracts we reviewed also allowed the company to disconnect your electricity supply if you failed to pay an estimated bill. That’s unfair. You shouldn’t have to pay for something you may not have purchased, let alone have your electricity disconnected as a result.
If you get an estimated bill, we think you’re entitled to phone the company and give an actual reading – and you should only pay for that usage.
Read what our members have to say close
To save money on essentials and make buying decisions easy, you can't go past Consumer. We're proud to have over 65,000 members all enjoying our independent information online or in Consumer magazine.
Here's what some of them say...
"Just wanted to let you know that I find your site excellent! Easy to find my way around, everything at my fingertips - just a click away.
I only took out a 3 month membership as I wasn't sure but it is actually really easy to use and if I want it on paper I can print the
reports. Thanks again".
Denise Watkinson - Waitakere
"My mother (74) got a renewal letter from her insurance company for her car insurance, wanting $570. After reading
your article on car insurance, I contacted one of the companies you recommended, who quoted her $318 for the same
level of cover. I just wanted to stay thank you very much for your article, as it has saved my mother a substantial amount of money".
Adrian Lane - Kapiti Coast
"I've been a member to the magazine since 1997 and enjoy reading it a lot. I've found lots of helpful information on different issues...
Thank you for being so helpful".
Peter Kovalenko - Porirua
"I have been a member of the Consumer NZ for 20 or more years and have enjoyed much reliable advice.
I turn to their tests before making significant purchases".
Lyndal Print – Auckland
Get full access to all Consumer reports for as little as $1.85 a week
- Over 500 reports plus interactive tools and calculators
- Independent advice from NZ's trusted source of information
- Join over 65,000 members who help us get all NZers a fairer deal
Join Consumer now and make your decisions easy on a huge range of products and services
- Over 500 reports, plus interactive tools and calculators
- Independent advice from NZ's trusted source of information
- Join over 65,000 members who help us get all NZers a fairer deal
from just $28
Previous: Late bills
