What's a provisional transaction

  • Maidenbush71's Avatar
    Level 1
    Hi
    Just inputted our meter readings as our readings were estimated and very inaccurate.

    It's now saying "

    You have a provisional transaction of £26

    Why? We are already paying £200a month and we don't have any central heating just storage heaters that we only use when it's bitterly cold.

    We have the gas fire on occasionally not very often.
    often a middle house and get heat from our neighbours who must like living in a sauna!

    Perplexed about this charge can anyone advise what it's for please

    Thanks 😊
  • 13 Replies

  • Best Answer

    Beki's Avatar
    Best Answer
    @Maidenbush71 Hey there, a provisional charge basically means that we are unable to charge you exactly the price (usually for gas) as we haven't got the calorific value yet to confirm. The provisional charge is usually right, but if it does change, it's by a few pence. Hope this helps.

    Sending positive energy to you,
    Beki - Digi Ops Team Leader & Sustainability Enthusiast

    Everything & everyone powered by sustainable energy. 🌍
  • DWRUK's Avatar
    Level 3
    Is the provisional transaction a charge based on your gas or electric meter reading?

    On several occasions my gas meter reading created a 'provisional' charge as they had to review it for some reason. The e.on next platform often has issues with gas meter readings.

    e.on next never pro-actively reviewed these provisional charges. I always had to complain on Twitter for them to accept the reading/provisional charge.
  • Dee8's Avatar
    Level 1
    @Maidenbush71 not just me, I got one for £76, came up dated the 11th read my meter on the 12th,it still lingered, then was added on top. I asked for an explanation got told I should pay more on my dd, I'd used the fuel so pay up.?
    No explanation what the provisional transaction is for, gas, electricity, Christmas party?
    I left eon unhappy years sgo and got thrown back when igloo went down.
  • Pipsqueak's Avatar
    Level 1
    I’ve got a provisional transition charge of £48.96. I’ve always been in credit and meter readings are accurate! Why the charge?
  • Pipsqueak's Avatar
    Level 1
    Sorry but it doesn’t make sense to me about the calorific value. I’m on a fixed tariff the meter reading are accurate and I have the same statement from Eon Next except it’s for £48.96
  • Mailman's Avatar
    Level 61
    Sorry but it doesn’t make sense to me about the calorific value. I’m on a fixed tariff the meter reading are accurate and I have the same statement from Eon Next except it’s for £48.96

    I can understand about the calorific value issue as it is used to work out the exact £ of the gas element of your monthly bill. The electricity goes through almost immediately as Eon Next's system can easily compute the electric portion of the bill. The fact that you are on a fixed tariff is irrelevant as your account works out the £ cost of gas based on the unit rate/kWh which in turn depends on the average calorific value of the gas supplied between the billing dates. My account is showing a provisional gas £ amount based on a reading submitted 2 days ago. Obviously if I don't see it changing from provisional to actual within the next few days I will query this.
  • meldrewreborn's Avatar
    Level 92
    @Mailman and @Pipsqueak

    The volume of gas used needs to be converted to a heat output figure. The calorific value is used in this calculation to determine how many kWh of gas has been used. The gas though isn't all the same when its pumped into the network and the calorific value varies a little over time. The provisional figures are just that - try not to obsess about it.
    Current Eon Next customer, ex EDF, Zog and Symbio. Don't think dual fuel saves money and think the smart meter programme is a waste of our money. Chronologically Gifted. If I offend let me know by private message, but I’ll continue to express my opinions nonetheless.
  • Mailman's Avatar
    Level 61
    @Mailman and @Pipsqueak

    The volume of gas used needs to be converted to a heat output figure. The calorific value is used in this calculation to determine how many kWh of gas has been used. The gas though isn't all the same when its pumped into the network and the calorific value varies a little over time. The provisional figures are just that - try not to obsess about it.


    That's kind of what I said wasn't it?
    your account works out the £ cost of gas based on the unit rate/kWh which in turn depends on the average calorific value of the gas supplied between the billing dates
    albeit in a different way. I for one am not obsessing about it. I should have mentioned the volume used but I took that as a given. The point I was making was that the gas £ calculation on bills are not quite as straightforward (compared to the electric) as the CV needs to be worked out before the kWh can be calculated....obsession over!
    Last edited by Mailman; 03-09-22 at 21:02. Reason: Highlighting
  • simonC's Avatar
    Level 0
    @Maidenbush71yeap I have 5 outstanding on my electricity account, I've gone on messanger every day but get fobbed off everything will be sorted!!! So annoying will be switching in the New year without a doubt.