Does this sound right??

elf06

Ok so this isnt a major concern but just not sure if it sound right or not. I got my second electric bill in today since I changed meter at the end of Dec. My first bill was an estimate and was way way way over. This one however was an actual reading and says that they owe me nearly £50. That is lovely but in the next breath they are saying that I now need to pay them extra per month (ok so its only £2 extra per month by DD) but if THEY OWE ME then why should I be paying THEM extra??
Anyone else experienced this odd way of working? I tried to call but the offices are shut this evening so wont be able to check until Monday or Tuesday..........

Magentasue

Depends on whether you use electric for heating - if you do, you need to build up a credit balance to see you through the winter.

kippen_noedel

not enough information to give a real answer

elf06

what else do you want to know??

As for building up enough to see me through winter - I was under the impression that if I had 3 months of winter and 3 months of summer and have been paying the same amount all the way through then I shouldnt need to build up credit for winter. I may be mistaken though .......

KimYeovil

Zero month is March or April. So you've had two or three months and only built up £50 - that's either £25 extra per month or £17. Over eight months that's only an extra £200 or £136 to pay for four months winter heating. An extra £50 or £34 is not very much for heating.

So, yes, it is reasonable that the Debit has been increased.

elf06

thanks KimYeovil - as I said its not really an issue as its only £2 per month but just couldnt understand the logic. I was going on the basis (as I said before) that I have had 3 months of each (winter and summer) and built up a credit so it didnt make sense to increase DD. Thanks for your help - it makes a bit more sense now

LeeSouthEast

I didn't get it either when E.on said last year we were £650 in credit, so they were refunding that but doubling our direct debit as well.

Fortunately I then got dumped on by my wife and we gave up the tenancy on our shared house so didn't bother taking the fight further. It is madness though.

Fire_Fox

elf06 wrote: »

thanks KimYeovil - as I said its not really an issue as its only £2 per month but just couldnt understand the logic. I was going on the basis (as I said before) that I have had 3 months of each (winter and summer) and built up a credit so it didnt make sense to increase DD. Thanks for your help - it makes a bit more sense now

Just because the calendar says there are three months of winter and three months of summer doesn't mean that God takes any notice! It snowed in June in the 80s ... Which day did you switch on your heating last winter, and which day did you switch it off again? Betcha it wasn't the 1st of December and the 28th February.

elf06

Actually I barely hve my heating on at all (winter or summer) but I do use the tumble dryer a little bit more in winter ...........

Fire_Fox

elf06 wrote: »

Actually I barely hve my heating on at all (winter or summer) but I do use the tumble dryer a little bit more in winter ...........

If you are different from the average consumer and you only want to pay for the energy you use, then maybe you will be happier paying quarterly bills rather than direct debit. DDs are based on estimates of your future use based on your past usage or, for new supplies, the usage patterns of similar properties. If you didn't submit a meter reading immediately on receipt of your first massively overestimated bill, they will have you down as an average user in winter and, now you've got an actual bill, a light user in spring/ summer.

elf06

Ok so I decided to go by DD as you get a discount for paying in this way and as I said at the start I am not overly bothered about the extra £2 per month just didnt understand why it was increased as I have only just (Dec29th) joined this tariff and method of payment.

Thanks to all who helped but I have now called them and sorted it out