Claiming a refund from BG for credit balance

SonOfPearl

Until recently I wasn't even aware you could do this, so I thought I would mention it here in case anyone else finds it useful. Apologies if this is obvious/old news!

British Gas supply both my gas and electricity (their cheapest online tariff) and I had built up a considerable credit balance on the gas account.

I was searching their website to find out how to reduce my direct debit when I discovered that if you have a credit balance then you can claim a refund of anything up to that full amount. The website warns you that your direct debit will go up to compensate (it tells you how much).

So I went ahead and claimed a £150 refund which should arrive within 5 working days in my bank account, which should help pay for Xmas!

Naturally, they hide this feature away as best they can on the website! Once you have logged in, go to 'Your Account' and then 'view account'. Then if you scroll down a bit, on the right hand side there is a box with the heading 'Your Direct Debit', subtitled 'manage your payments online'. If you click the 'your plan' link in that box then on the next screen there should be an option for 'get a credit refund' (if you have a credit balance, of course).

Hope this is helpful to someone

System

i have a £286 Cr but i have left it so i needn't be concerned about a high winter fuel bill.

wit40iwtwan

I did this a few weeks back = £384 in credit which makes sense as we used to be a house with 4 adults and now we are just 2. My electric was in credit but not by too much so I left it as I suspect we will be using the tumble dryer a bit more this winter!

Their website is quite good to establish a comparison to other people in similar houses in your area. My OH and I are using below average which is a good sign. Extra clothing instead of extra temperature on the thermostat really does make a difference!

pothole50

What usually happens is they will ask for a meter reading first before they offer a refund, and unless its changed you have to be over £100 before a refund is issued.

pothole

pothole50

Received a call from BG regarding my DD they said they still think I am paying enough but will increase it to £41 a month. So went onto the website to adjust payment with flexiplan, and while I was there checked the meter readings I gave them on the 7th Dec which were Day 6105 Night 1501, I now find it reads Day 1501 Night 1501 on 11th Dec, so another email winging its way to them, how can something so simple be so difficult.:mad:

SonOfPearl

I had just provided a meter reading for gas and electricity, so BG couldn't argue!

My usage seems high according to the BG website...I'll have to economise a bit more!