Why Is My Energy Bill Estimated? (And How To Fix It Fast)

If your energy bill is estimated, it means your supplier is not using actual meter readings – even if you have a smart meter.

This is very common in the UK – even in homes with smart meters. Many people assume their meter is working, but behind the scenes the readings are not reaching the supplier properly.

Common signs: Estimated bills, smart meter installed but not sending readings, energy app not updating, or direct debit suddenly increasing.

This guide explains why your bill is estimated and exactly what to do to fix it.

What does an estimated bill mean?

An estimated bill means your supplier has worked out your energy usage instead of using a real reading from your meter.

They usually base this on past usage, typical household patterns, or older readings. Sometimes the estimate is close — but often it is not.

Why is my bill estimated if I have a smart meter?

This is one of the most common questions.

Having a smart meter does not always mean your readings are being sent correctly. Your bill may still be estimated if:

Your smart meter is not sending readings
Your gas meter is not connected properly
There is a signal (WAN) issue
The comms hub is not working properly
The supplier is not receiving or using the readings correctly

What you might notice

Your bill clearly says “estimated”
Your usage on the display does not match your bill
Your bills go up and down without explanation
Your gas readings are missing
Your supplier asks for manual readings

What should you check first?

Check your latest bill — does it say estimated?
Check your display — is it showing both gas and electric?
Check if only one fuel is affected
Take a manual reading if possible
Think about when the issue started

Giving your supplier a manual reading can help correct your bill while the underlying issue is fixed.

Common causes of estimated bills

Smart meter not communicating with the supplier
Gas meter not paired properly
Weak or failed WAN signal
Comms hub fault
Supplier system not using the readings correctly

In many homes, electric may still work while gas does not — which leads to gas bills being estimated.

Can estimated bills be wrong?

Yes. Estimated bills can be too high or too low.

If the estimate is too low, you may get a larger bill later when actual readings catch up. If it is too high, you may be overpaying.

When do you need to contact your supplier?

You should contact your supplier if:

Your bill has been estimated more than once
Your smart meter should be sending readings but is not
Your gas readings are missing
Your bill looks incorrect

What’s happening behind the scenes

The smart meter is not sending readings via the WAN network
The gas meter is not connected through the HAN network
The comms hub is not communicating properly
The supplier system is falling back to estimated billing

This is why customers can have a smart meter installed but still receive estimated bills.

What the engineer (squad) would check

Whether the meter is commissioned properly
If readings are reaching the supplier
WAN signal and comms hub status
Gas meter pairing
Whether the issue is meter-side or supplier-side

What usually fixes it

Submitting manual readings temporarily
Recommissioning the smart meter system
Reconnecting the gas meter
Fixing signal or comms hub issues
Supplier correcting billing once readings are restored

Could you be owed compensation?

If your smart meter has not been working properly and the issue has not been resolved, it is worth asking your supplier whether compensation applies.

Many customers are not told unless they ask directly.

Still getting estimated bills?

If your bill is still estimated, the main thing is not to ignore it. It usually points to an underlying smart meter or communication problem.

👉 Back to Smart Meter Problems Guide