Portal Tariff Reports Wrong ?

33 comments started 2023-10-27 last 2023-10-29
GivEnergy Products
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#1 Phil89a

Just been looking at the Tariff reports on the Portal and they seem to be 12 hours out. For example, I am on Flux and set to charge from 02:00 to 05:00, which works okay; however the Tariff report shows my import happening at 14:00 to 17:00

Is it me, or is there a problem?

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#2 sponev

GE cloud was down most of last night.

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#3 Phil89a

sponev I assume that last's night data could therefore be wrong; but if I look back all the previous days show the same problem.

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#4 Jellybaby

@Phil89a Is your data in inverter info the correct time? My info seems fine.

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#5 Phil89a

Jellybaby Yep, the inverter seems fine with regards time; and charges overnight in the correct period.

#6 Cdent

Phil89a I think this data comes from Octopus, what does it show on your Octopus account?

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#7 Phil89a

Cdent Ah Octopus is 12 hours out. I do hope their billing is correct šŸ™

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#8 Phil89a

So I asked Octopus about it being 12 hours out and their reply was:

"Regarding the issue with your electricity usage showing 12 hours out, I can confirm that this is just a reporting issue and not a billing error. The usage data displayed on your account may not accurately reflect the actual charging of your batteries at the off-peak rate. Rest assured, your billing is based on the actual meter readings and will be calculated correctly."

Is anyone else's 12 hours out ?

#9 Cdent

Phil89a mine seems spot on, do you have the Bright app? That can show you what the meter recorded in 30 minute slots

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#10 Phil89a

Cdent What is the Bright App (is it iOS) ?

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#12 Phil89a

Cdent Thanks - will give it a go

#13 ProximusAl

If you are more inclined to use a desktop browser then check out this site by Guy Lipman:

https://energy.guylipman.com/sm/admin

You can choose either to get the half hour readings from n3rgy or Octopus.

On iOS I use the Bright app, but I also have their IHD, so it doesn't give me DCC data, but rather my direct meter data.
I use the IHD to feed HomeAssistant over MQTT.

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/bright/id1369989022
https://shop.glowmarkt.com/products/display-and-cad-combined-for-smart-meter-customers

I also use the Hugo app on iOS, which gets the data from n3rgy (DCC User)

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/hugo-energy-app/id1571912897

I find with all 3 of the above, I can get my data from pretty much anywhere, anytime.

And finally, you can access the n3rgy data as a download, if you have access to your IHD MAC Address and use this site:

https://data.n3rgy.com/consumer-sign-up

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#14 Phil89a

ProximusAl thanks - now looking at Bright and n3gry

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#15 geoffreycoan

ProximusAl thanks for all the links. I had previously installed the app and the DCC integration to home assistant but TBH I might as well uninstall it because it’s pretty useless.
The DCC data seriously lags behind real life, it jumps up in increments during the day but is so far behind it is no use. The cost calculator doesn’t know what tariff rates you have either.

I thought about the IHD and have applied for an Octopus Mini if they ever send it out, but for now I rely on the inverter import figure which corresponds to 0.1kW a day to what Octopus says I’ve used so is good enough for me.

Interested in your views as to whether the DCC data is really of use

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#16 Phil89a

I used n3ergy to pull my Smart Meter Data and it is showing the same problem as Octopus usage data (i.e., it is 12 hours offset from the correct time). See below extract from n3ergy….

2023-10-27 13:30
2.052
2023-10-27 14:00
2.041
2023-10-27 14:30
2.049
2023-10-27 15:00
2.057

There should be no usage in this time as I am running off battery at this time. When I charge my batteries during Flux overnight period (00:20 - 05:00) it is showing no grid usage.

I am assuming that something is wrong with my Smart Meter and therefore Octopus will be incorrectly charging me for charging my batteries at the Daytime to Peak Rate.

Anyone seen this before or know how to fix it ?

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#17 Pandorian

ProximusAl I use the IHD, which has ben great, the only issue I have with it is that it does not have any data for my export meter.

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#18 Phil89a

Phil89a To add to this, the usage on my Smart Meter Display shows the usage at the correct time; so I am really confused at what is wrong where šŸ™

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#19 TX200

Phil89a someone else posted about that. Apparently it's just a data display issue. Billing should be correct they say. Some confidence, but check the bill when it arrives?

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#20 Phil89a

TX200 Hmm, not so sure. When pulling the data via n3rgy I get the same as Octopus; so well confused šŸ™

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#21 TX200

Phil89a could be a problem on the DCC. The bit between the meter and the suppliers and other organisations that use the data.

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#22 hhall

Check your bill very, very carefully. Mine has been rubbish since my tariff change at the end of August. I am on a two rate tariff, but my bill is charged at a single rate and at a price which appears to have been plucked out of thin air. I am assuming that having taken over so many other companies recently, that their billing department has been overwhelmed. I am going to have to spend the whole weekend going through all my data from the end of August.

My Smart Tariff tab in the portal shows a straight line showing a single price that has no relationship to my actual tariff at all. Several phone calls and emails to no avail.

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#23 Phil89a

TX200

"could be a problem on the DCC. The bit between the meter and the suppliers and other organisations that use the data"

If so, who fixes this problem ?

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#24 TX200

Phil89a the company that runs the DCC. Or their suppliers. But obviously only when customers complain to their supplier or their app/data provider e.g.hugo app, en3rgy, etc.

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#25 Phil89a

TX200 Thanks I will see what Octopus say

#26 ProximusAl

Pandorian Same for me. Export data isn’t available. I’m not bothered by that though as I mainly use the IHD for a ā€œtrueā€ home power use from grid for my HA dashboard.

#27 ProximusAl

geoffreycoan DCC data isn’t of use to me in HA at all. I use the IHD to populate the energy dashboard.

The DCC data I mainly use for missed half hour readings. My meter has a habit of missing a single half hour read every month or two, so if it’s missing from n3rgy, I don’t bother Octopus about getting it….because it truly is missing. The annoyance with this is Octopus charging me full whack flexible rate for that day due to the missing reading.

#28 ProximusAl

Phil89a You could try Tweeting (or Xing) the DCC at @SmartDCC. I have seen them helping customers directly in the past with issues such as yours. I’d bet a lot of money you’ll not get anyone at Octopus who actually understands your issue.

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#29 Phil89a

ProximusAl So true - will try it

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#31 Phil89a

ProximusAl I like geek and data in the same sentence šŸ™‚. Downloading it now; thanks.

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#32 geoffreycoan

ProximusAl thanks

Whilst we are sharing apps, I find octopus compare useful https://apps.apple.com/app/id1545004095
Download yesterday’s,the week and month consumption and compare pricing on different tariffs

I have octo-aid https://apps.apple.com/app/id1567821974 as well which Tracks consumption vs budgets and daily spend

And if you haven’t seen it, inverter https://apps.apple.com/app/id6443976497 gives a live view of what your inverter is doing and some simple controls

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#33 Phil89a

geoffreycoan Thanks will take a look. One thing which I didn't know is I can install the iOS apps on my Mac OS machine - seems the latest OS runs them. Or at least I tried Octo-Aid and it is now running on my desktop. Neat