Scary gas bill 21 March 2006 at 8:20PM edited 30 November -1 at 1:00AM in Energy 4 replies 690 views

melbury

I have just phoned in my gas meter reading and after doing the sums reckon the bill for the quarter Dec - March will be around £400. I know that my monthly direct debit for the past three months will not nearly cover this (even though it was increased a while ago), so do you think they will demand full payment or put my direct debit up through the roof without asking me?

I am one of those sad people who have never switched - have British Gas and local electricity company - just like to keep them separate for some stupid reason. I keep doing comparisons on the various sites, but always chicken out when it comes to changing - I guess I am scared of getting billed on two fronts!

smartie1976

you should change one of them to take advantage of dual fuel discounts (by having supplies from the same company).

juniper1

From previous experience, British Gas know that your bills will be higher in the winter and they assume your usage will be lower in the summer so your direct debit is calculated for annual usage. Its swings & roundabouts really. I think you'll find that you'll be in deficit for a while and things will even themselves out in the summer. If you're worried speak to British Gas I used to find them very helpful. I'm with Scottish power now and mine's a different story. Have posted a new thread asking for help re switching

sharewatcher

No one is allowed to increase Direct Debits without informing you, check the banks Direct Debit guarantee

smartie1976

sharewatcher wrote:

No one is allowed to increase Direct Debits without informing you, check the banks Direct Debit guarantee

yes quite, but your company WILL write to you, inform you of an increase and then you will have to contact them to say you do not want the increase.
If you are in debt at this time it is likely the energy supplier will ask you to make FULL payment for any debt outstanding before agreeing to return the DD amount to what it was.
However, it is also not sensible to think that last years DD installment value will cover this years, given the recent price increases.