Npower direct debit - massive increase

AliceBanned

I know my post above doesn't make sense, but I can't make any sense of their figures. They have added and subtracted different figures and come up with £287 for the next six months, and not subtracted my £35 payment but added it.

Swipe

AliceBanned wrote: »

I know my post above doesn't make sense, but I can't make any sense of their figures. They have added and subtracted different figures and come up with £287 for the next six months, and not subtracted my £35 payment but added it.

It's all calculated by computer but I'm sure if you speak to someone they will take into account the extra £35 and reduce accordingly.

MCGONIS

AliceBanned wrote: »

Hi thanks for replying. yes I switched to gas and elec wtih them but was already on elec with them before. Because of this I didn't get £120 cashback from Quidco for a dual fuel switch, which would have made the swap worth my while. There are so many conditions with all these cashbacks etc it can be hard to work out what is a good deal. Anyway Quidco were adamant that I made the mistake as I was already with npower for elec, so it wouldn't qualify for a dual fuel switch. yes I'll speak to them on 27th. i think £58 is excessive for one person in a one bed well insulated flat. Also a few months ago a leak was discovered (only small but constant) on my hot water pipe. i didn't try to reclaim from the landlord but now i'm wondering whether this has cost me a lot on the use of gas. It is a combi boiler. Thanks.

I totally agree. I have just moved to them. I got £40 cashback which is okay but not that great. As soon as my 12 months is up and I get my £100 credit, I will move again. I have been with ScottishPower on and off about 5 times and get £100 cashback each time. I don't really think there is much difference in price between one supplier and another especially when you factor in the cashback!

AliceBanned

MCGONIS wrote: »

I totally agree. I have just moved to them. I got £40 cashback which is okay but not that great. As soon as my 12 months is up and I get my £100 credit, I will move again. I have been with ScottishPower on and off about 5 times and get £100 cashback each time. I don't really think there is much difference in price between one supplier and another especially when you factor in the cashback!

Yes - npower worked out cheaper only based on me receiving both cashbacks, and I'll only get the £100 (I hope!). Until now the DDs were slightly less than previous provider but now it's hopeless and i'm not sure whether it would be worth waiting out the six months!

MCGONIS

Yes try and hold out.

I am due a refund cheque from ScottishPower for £98 - this is because of my summer usage. When the cheque clears I will phone and pay that amount to NPower so my accout is in credit to offset the winter months when my heating is on.

I understand your annoyance at your monthly payment changing. Sometimes you wonder if moving supply was worth the hassle!

DirectDebacle

Swipe wrote: »

That's how fixed rate monthly DD works. You pay for more than you use in summer and less in winter so approaching winter you should be in credit to carry you through.

Not quite. The D/D payment should be calculated on usage over 12 months.

If all works as it should then at the end of 12 months payments made should equal energy used and the balance will be at zero. Over this 12 month period there will be times when the account is in credit and debit.

If someone sets up a D/D in November why would you expect there be sufficient credit built up to have it at zero by the end of winter?

Many customers are believing the spin energy companies are putting out that accounts have to be more or less at zero come the end of winter.

I suspect this has come about because of the credit crunch and companies experiencing cash flow problems. Energy companies are trying to use customers as banks and are therefore aiming to have D/D accounts constantly in credit with them.

This is not the reason D/D was introduced and do not accept it. Whatever date you begin a D/D payment option is the date of the following year when it should be at zero.

Of course if prices and or usage change during the 12 months then the D/D will need to adjusted accordingly.

Swipe

DirectDebacle wrote: »

Not quite. The D/D payment should be calculated on usage over 12 months.

That's what I said. But inevitably, for the fuel you use to heat your house, you'll still be using more energy than you pay monthly for in winter and less in summer.

DirectDebacle

AliceBanned wrote: »

Hi thanks for replying. yes I switched to gas and elec wtih them but was already on elec with them before. Because of this I didn't get £120 cashback from Quidco for a dual fuel switch, which would have made the swap worth my while. There are so many conditions with all these cashbacks etc it can be hard to work out what is a good deal. Anyway Quidco were adamant that I made the mistake as I was already with npower for elec, so it wouldn't qualify for a dual fuel switch. yes I'll speak to them on 27th. i think £58 is excessive for one person in a one bed well insulated flat. Also a few months ago a leak was discovered (only small but constant) on my hot water pipe. i didn't try to reclaim from the landlord but now i'm wondering whether this has cost me a lot on the use of gas. It is a combi boiler. Thanks.

Make sure you have all the relevant information you need before calling them.

Swipe gives good advice here;

They do normally review it every 6 months. Have you calculated you annual usage and worked out what it costs averaged over 12 months? That is what you should be paying ideally. It might be worth doing that before you speak to them, especially if it works out less than £58. then at least you have something to argue your case with alongsie your £100 that's due.

In addition you need to know your usage in kWh for previous year(s) at your current property with your old supplier.

If it is based on last years consumption only, your D/D should be sufficient, as last winter was the hardest for 30 years. That year would show increased average consumption for most U.K. households.

You also need to check that the final meter reading shown on the final bill from your previous supplier is the same as the start meter reading on your first bill from npower. They must be the same. If it isn't this creates a few problems which will include inaccurate estimated future usage.

If for some reason it is lower than it should be then a later correct reading will show higher usage (and of course a higher bill) than there actually was.

Rectification of this problem will require npower recalculating your bills from when you joined them in order to put the account in order.

You need to know the date npower first took a D/D payment for gas (the anniversary date). At the moment you say you are £13.00 in credit. That could mean your D/D anniversary date is around now or if it isn't then the D/D has been mis calculated.

AliceBanned

DirectDebacle wrote: »

Not quite. The D/D payment should be calculated on usage over 12 months.

If all works as it should then at the end of 12 months payments made should equal energy used and the balance will be at zero. Over this 12 month period there will be times when the account is in credit and debit.

If someone sets up a D/D in November why would you expect there be sufficient credit built up to have it at zero by the end of winter?

Many customers are believing the spin energy companies are putting out that accounts have to be more or less at zero come the end of winter.

.

I set the account up in April so this must be their six monthly review. Yes it will need increasing but not to £58. I don't have to do accurate calculations to work that out. You are right, they have had my credit over the summer, and now they want me to overpay in winter as well - they are misusing direct debit. it should be ok to go a bit in debit in winter. I use a gas cooker and a lot of hot water for baths as I don't have a shower. So the increase will be for exra heating in the evenings - I'm not even at home a huge amount and don't use the heating excessively. Now they've made me feel scared to use it at all. I shouldn't have to prove that it won't cost £58 per month, but this is what they are effectively asking me to do, which is forcing me to hardly heat my flat at all. It is not acceptable. They should let me go in debit as I would for quarterly payments, as it won't be a lot and it won't be for long, but no, they have to try to get overpayments and you are right, treat customers like banks. I think I'll not go onto direct debit after this term is up as I'm sick of them hiking prices to suit themselves.
I suspect this has come about because of the credit crunch and companies experiencing cash flow problems. Energy companies are trying to use customers as banks and are therefore aiming to have D/D accounts constantly in credit with them.

This is not the reason D/D was introduced and do not accept it. Whatever date you begin a D/D payment option is the date of the following year when it should be at zero.

Of course if prices and or usage change during the 12 months then the D/D will need to adjusted accordingly

Chris1708

AliceBanned wrote: »

I recently received a statement from Npower re my gas direct debit (Sign online 17 gas monthly direct debit). it has gone up from £35 per month to £58 per month. I phoned them and was told I have to phone back on 27th October as they can't discuss it until the next payment has gone through. I'm very worried about it and have turned all the radiators down. I will be away for the whole of December, and my account is £13 in credit. i think I am due a payment of £100 in April (if I stay that long; it was a one year deal where i get £100 at the end). I did tell them on the phone that I can't make the payments of £58. I would struggle a bit but even if I overpay by paying that amount, then get refunded after next summer, that's so unfair and I need to not be overpaying. Do you think i should call them again today and demand to get something better agreed, otherwise I'll switch? :mad:

Is it possible they could have made a mistake with the amount? I just checked my online banking and my payment has gone up from £30 last month to £130 this month. I live on my own in a one bed flat and work full time so I'm a little suspicious.