I’m a mum of three – we’ve been left with no heating for seven weeks after energy supplier’s meter mistake
A MUM-OF-THREE has been left without heating and hot water for seven weeks due to an error by her energy supplier.
Shanice Palmer queried the mistake - and was appalled when they offered just a £60 voucher as compensation.
Shanice Palmer was forced to stay with her mum after growing "very very concerned" for the health of her young children - aged 11-months, two and five - as temperatures dropped.
The mum was especially worried about her "really ill" 11-month-old daughter who is suffering from croup - made worse by no hot water or heating.
Shanice noticed an error on her Ovo gas meter and phoned the company over 20 times, she claimed.
She told : "I’m just losing my mind. I’ve had to come to my mam’s house, because it’s so cold in the house.
Read More
"I really don’t know what to do now.
"I’ve got to stay here until it’s sorted, but there’s not room for us here long-term and people are having to double up and share rooms."
Shanice's property had originally been fitted with a smart gas meter but this was replaced with a traditional one, and Ovo's system never registered the swap.
As a result, she was sent the wrong type of pay-as-you-go card and was unable to top up her meter.
Most read in News
According to the furious resident, Ovo promised her 15 times that someone would come to see her - but to no avail.
A spokesperson said: "We’re very sorry for the issues experienced and can confirm the supply is back on. We’ve offered a goodwill gesture for the inconvenience."
Ovo sent Shanice a meagre £30 after failing to provide heating for seven weeks and another £30 for the mum-of-three's hassle in securing a new card.
In response Shanice said: "It's far from enough, with the heaters I'm having to use and with it being so cold. It's been such a tough time."
It comes as thousands of Brits struggle with energy bills this winter amid the cost of living crisis, including Lorraine Foster.
The 57-year-old has been forced to share a bed with her mum, 86, as she has less than £1 per week spare after her energy bills.
Read More on The Sun
Meanwhile, a dad has been forced to insulate his freezing home with cardboard after his energy bills spiralled to more than £1,000-a-month.
Nigel Cleall, 51, says he has even considered moving him and his 12-year-old son Oliver into his garden shed which he says is warmer than his ground floor flat.