10 common energy billing mistakes

The short answer

Most wrong energy bills come from a handful of mistakes: bad estimates, wrong rates, the wrong meter or old charges you shouldn't pay. Here's how to spot each one and what to do.

Checked 7 October 2026Written by the MyBillChecker team

A bundle of opened envelopes

The ten mistakes

MistakeHow to spot itWhat to do
1. Estimated readings"E" beside the readingSend a dated meter photo
2. Wrong unit rateRate differs from your tariffAsk for a corrected bill
3. Wrong standing chargeDaily charge differs from your tariffAsk for a corrected bill
4. Someone else's meterSerial number doesn't match your meterReport it now; ask for a re-bill
5. Old chargesBill covers use more than 12 months agoUse the back-billing letter
6. Gas meter type wrongMetric meter billed as imperialAsk for a re-bill from the start
7. Economy 7 swappedMost use shows as day rateAsk for a meter check
8. Rolled onto a pricier tariffTariff name changedCheck the end-of-deal letter
9. Credit not refundedLarge credit balanceAsk for a refund in writing
10. Final bill missingNothing within 6 weeks of switchingClaim £40

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