InvestigationEvidence packOmbudsman cluster

How does the Energy Ombudsman investigate an energy complaint?

The Ombudsman looks at the complaint, supplier response, evidence and requested outcome. Your job is to make the case easy to follow.

Reviewed: 2026-04-27Focus: UK household energy billsType: Information, not legal advice

Evidence by dispute type

DisputeEvidence to include
Wrong readingMeter photos, serial number, bill reading and reading dates.
Direct debitForecast, balance, debt recovery, credit buffer and supplier calculation.
Back billingSupply period, old charges, reading history and supplier explanation.
Smart meter issueSmart status, estimated bills, register mapping and tariff windows.

Make the case easy to investigate

One issue per section

Do not bury the real point in a long story.

Timeline first

Dates help the investigator understand what happened.

Screenshots plus PDFs

Use screenshots for clarity but keep the full PDFs.

Requested outcome

Say exactly what you want corrected.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Ombudsman redo every calculation from scratch?

The case is based on evidence and the supplier response. Make the calculation issue clear and supported.

Should I include phone call notes?

Yes, but written messages and bill documents usually carry more weight.