Flow energy

Normally, your direct debit is based on your usage. Have you been providing regular readings?

Also, as your an E7 customer, may sure your readings are not transposed, and perhaps also consider lifestyle events. It maybe worth while finding out your EAC (Estimated Annual Consumption) from Flow, and see how this compares year-on-year.

I don't work for Flow, but assure you that there is very little margin in for non-generator, independent retail energy companies, such as Flow, and that there is no daylight robbery taking place.

smallandcute wrote: »

Hi all,

I have searched the threads on here and so far can't find anything so hoping someone can help.

I switched to flow energy around the beginning of winter last year as I was having massive problems with npower and flow energy was also cheaper. The contract ends on the 31st Oct this year and was set up for £52 per month. However a couple of weeks ago I received a generic email from them saying that prices had shot up to £76 per month starting from the 2nd September, however they took this payment amount mid August. I am not happy to say the least with this as it was always implied that I would pay £52 per month for the year and £76 to run a little two up two down house is extortionate! electric is my only fuel for this house btw.

I have tried both switch and Martin energy club who claim I am on the cheapest tariffs. I also have a 7 meter and so ensure that I try to use as much as energy at night as possible compared to day to save money. Day robbery from the energy companies spring to mind.

Any help or suGuest ions on reducing this will be great, thanks

I'm a little confused, and suspect you may be too.
However, I will offer what advice I can based on your post.

The reason for confusion is how a 'generic' letter can advise you about a change in the amount you pay. You agreed a tariff, and if that tariff was fixed, the supplier must charge you in accordance with that tariff for the duration of the fixed period.
(Only extraordinary events can change the price of the tariff, such as government changing the rate of VAT applying - no such change has occurred)

It appears you agreed to pay your energy bills monthly by direct debit. This is a common method that many suppliers offer, and usually as most people receive a regular monthly income, the supplier offers to spread the anticipated annual cost equally over the 12 months, even though energy usage usually is more in winter than in summer.
Of course, the supplier keeps an eye on your usage the best it can, and if it seems you are using more or less energy than anticipated, then the annual cost increases or decreases, and consequently the the monthly amount you pay may be modified accordingly.

However, any change to a direct debit amount must be notified to you in advance. It appears this was not done in your case, and so you are entitled to ask your bank under the terms of the Direct Debit Guarantee to a full and immediate refund of the amount collected. The bank will take your word for this and do so (If they don't follow their complaint procedure)

I'm not sure if you incurred any bank charges as a result of this extra amount being taken, but if so, you can also make a claim direct to your bank for these charges too. These are referred to as consequential losses. The bank are not obligated to refund these immediately, but should do so within 14 days. (they claim them from the supplier)

If you do decide to reclaim the money already paid, then you may still owe the supplier money, so best to speak to them and offer alternative form of payment. I would say there is no dispute you owed £52.
(The bank can only reverse/refund the total amount collected, not part of it)

If you elect to switch supplier, which can take up to 5 weeks, then the existing supplier will eventually produce a final bill for you. If you owe money on that final bill, the supplier will expect that to be paid. Similarly, if there is a credit accrued, you should expect the supplier to refund you that amount.

A couple of MSE articles that may assist you further:

Fight unfair energy direct debits

Reclaim energy bill credit

Susan1942 wrote: »

I have never heard of FLOW but when I did a price comparison on the Which web page.
Flow comes out as the cheapest tariffe but I know nothing about them. I have had a look at their web page but have not found out a lot about them. Scottish Power is the cheapest but have read so many problems with them as a supplier. The next best price is with SSE who I have been with previously as Atlantic and also M&S Advice would be appreciated Sue

To find out what other MSEers have had to say about Flow Energy, you could try the search function, and in particular the feedback thread
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4586989