MSE News: British Gas to allow online direct debit changes

I have always paid my gas & electric bill by quarterly VARIABLE direct debit. This does not give quite the cheapest unit rate as paying by fixed monthly DD but it does mean that I pay all bills year round in arrears (ie AFTER I have used the energy & whilst the money has been sitting/building up in MY bank account, not the utility companys) & still get a discount for paying by DD. I get a bill based on readings either taken by the meter reader or by me. If I get an estimated bill I can phone or go online & amend the reading & they issue a replacement bill. The payment goes out about 2 weeks later. I don't have to spend time checking where I am up to or changing the payment amount & therefore have never been in credit/debit with the utility company. Total control in MY hands. But this method of paying is not publicised. OK - I get higher bills in winter, but in summer my quarterly gas bill is in the region of £12 - which means I have ready money for my summer holidays & annual bills due in June to September like house insurance, road tax etc!! Simples! The fixed monthly DD was never primarily about being good for the customer, it was about letting the utilities have control of YOUR money but sold as a benefit to YOU.

Although I work for BG I had never tried this so went on this week. It allowed me to see how much the system said they expected me to be in credit or debit by my annual renewal date. It then suggested giving meter reads and said I was overpaying the gas and on target for my electric. It then asked if I wanted a refund or to change my direct debit. I have decided to keep my gas the same but also feel you should not always jump for a refund without thinking it through. I would prefer to check again after Winter. All in all the system performed well and I was impressed.