EDF want to increase our DD payment by 50% - advice?

KimYeovil

vfm wrote: »

If you think that it is fair to pay £250 p.a. more in utilitity bills this year than what you used last year (payments plus debit outstanding) that is fine, I don't.

I did not say that. Please re-read what I wrote. In particular note the actual sentence I quoted and was referring to.

vfm wrote: »

We like a lot of retired people take all our holidays in the winter to reduce utility bills.

So you have a pathological, irregular usage pattern. As such any 'error' in a calculated debit is not unfair it is reasonable.

vfm wrote: »

If my debit balance at any stage was in excess of one dd payment then I would make an immeditate payment to clear my account, which I think is fair.

That is not how a fixed monthly direct debit scheme works. If you wish to do this you should forfeit your direct debit discount. In addition, you should be charged a fee every time you make an extra payment.

vfm

Kim - As the system I use to pay my bills is acceptable to the energy company that is all that matters.

I now know why some people won't post comments when people like you obviously think that you are right and others of a different opinion are wrong.

I disagree with your comments and could continue this thread stating relevant reasons, however I merely posted on this board in response to the op. I have given the op my views and therefore this will be my final post on this matter.

Fire_Fox

retepetsir wrote: »

Fair enough, I've heard of that before.

Our average usage over the winter months was £45 per month, which led to the £50 debit. Our average use is now around £10 per month (hot water only).

With payments of £90 between now and October and a predicted bill of £25 for those months we'd be back to being slightly in credit (£15).

EDF have stated themselves that they would take a lump sum of £150 if we went that much in debit, or give back £150 if we're that much in credit. I'm happy with that, but the way I've worked it out is that we're never in more than £50 of credit or £50 of debit at any one time.

Is that unreasonable? If so then I'll leave them to change it to £45/month...

The solution is to work on your usage patterns in advance of next winter. We are two in a two bedroom flat and our DD for electricity is £34 a month - that includes all heating and hot water. As gas is cheaper than electricity £45 a month for the winter is quite a hike from our usage.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

vfm wrote: »

Mark - I forgot to say that if I have problems again, I will take your advice and I will ask for the formula which is being used to calculate our payments.
Thanks

No problem vfm. Ask for a copy of the Payment Adequacy details if you do need the calculation

This is available to all agents and can be sent in the post or as an attachment to an email. :cool:

I would just add, if a debit balance does start to build our system will automatically try and increase your Direct Debit. This will follow a bill and is advised on the first page of the bill in question. Keep an eye out for this.

Malc

retepetsir

Kane99uk wrote: »

Can the OP afford to pay off the £50 debt on the gas account now? If so, phone EDF and see if they'll leave the DD as it stands if you pay up over the phone there and then.

Yes this is a good idea and I will be doing so this week. We can afford to do it, I just didn't really want to keep paying an extra £15/month into the account if we don't use it, as it could be used elsewhere (saving for a deposit).

We were in 'debt' for this time of year as we only moved into our flat at the end of October, so we had the higher usage of the winter months before we'd built up any credit (as we were not there in the summer).

I received an email from EDF yesterday to say that they'll keep it at £30/month DD, so I guess this is a good thing. By November we should be in credit by £60, so for December/January/February that would mean we could pay £50/month and it'll all even back out for March time again.

Firefox - then you are lucky to have such low usage. Our flat is quite spacious which doesn't help. Do you both work full time? I'm out all day (working in London) but the other half is on shift-work as a nurse so she tends to use the TV, etc during the day and also enjoys being comfortable (i.e. warm). We're in a 1970's 2nd floor flat with some double glazing and a flat roof, I doubt the insulation is that good! From most people I've spoken to our usage seems standard to low, particularly for winter heating.

We're also in SE England = expensive utilities.

Fire_Fox

retepetsir wrote: »

Firefox - then you are lucky to have such low usage. Our flat is quite spacious which doesn't help. Do you both work full time? I'm out all day (working in London) but the other half is on shift-work as a nurse so she tends to use the TV, etc during the day and also enjoys being comfortable (i.e. warm). We're in a 1970's 2nd floor flat with some double glazing and a flat roof, I doubt the insulation is that good! From most people I've spoken to our usage seems standard to low, particularly for winter heating.

We're also in SE England = expensive utilities.

No luck involved, just fear of huge bills. You may have expensive utilities but you have the benefit of gas in the property and milder winters in the south! :cool:

Mine is a generous two bedroom north-facing flat with massive double glazed metal framed windows. The flat is all electric with E7 but panel heaters not storage heaters, so I really have to watch my daytime usage. I work 16 hours per week and at college one day a week, Mr. Fire Fox works full-time: we are both on shiftwork (gym & hotel). I would say there is someone home most of the time.

I like to be comfortable too, so I have a spare duvet on the sofa and an electric underblanket on the bed (=pence to run)!! I didn't bother with heating the first two winters but obviously this last winter we needed to. However the heating was off for several days in January when it was very mild and off permanently after the snow thawed. I aimed to keep the flat at an average of 18C.

retepetsir

Impressive

Unfortunately our flat seems to lose heat rather quickly and has some rather large windows too (which probably doesn't help). If we didn't have the heating on in December/January/February mornings and then evenings the flat would be no warmer than 16C, rather chilly!

I might look into heated underblankets again as I've heard some good things about them....are they safe though?