EDF increased my DD from £54 to £172 per month!! HELP!

sweeno321

Hi All,

Thanks for reading. Just need a little advice before I contact EDF. I switched to EDF Dual Fuel on 13th Sep 2011. I have just received my first online bill.

The bill totalled £242 and was for the period 13 Sept - 16 Jan which to be fair I was quite content with. Leading up to this bill I was paying £54 a month. EDF have now advised that they will increase my DD to £172 per month.

Whilst I understand that EDF want to build a credit on my account I cannot work out how EDF have come to this figure considering based on the last bill the average spend totalled £60.50.

I am new to this as I only purchased my first home in July last year so any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks Paul

robroe

Just give them a ring and they will suggest why they have done it, if you are not happy with this just insist on the DD being set at the amount you want. And if you use more in the future then it will be up to you whether to clear it in one go or increase your DD.

jalexa

sweeno321 wrote: »

The bill totalled £242 and was for the period 13 Sept - 16 Jan which to be fair I was quite content with. Leading up to this bill I was paying £54 a month. EDF have now advised that they will increase my DD to £172 per month.

What is the account balance on the bill?

sweeno321

Account balance £29.74

jalexa

sweeno321 wrote: »

Account balance £29.74

Just to double check is that a credit or debit balance?

sweeno321

Well it doesn't have a c next to the figure so I believe it is a debit balance. It is not a minus figure or has a d next to it though. In contrast my online account states that I am 23.43 in credit?

Apologies if i am being stupid.

Just checked figures. Definitly a debit.

jalexa

sweeno321 wrote: »

Leading up to this bill I was paying £54 a month. EDF have now advised that they will increase my DD to £172 per month.

In my personal experience the Edf Direct Debit recalculation system is "dysfunctional". That is entirely seperate from the generic issue of "spring alignment" which exagerates the extent of the "sudden excessive hike" you are being subjected to.

The supply regulations (among other things) requires this of suppliers...

27.14 The licensee must provide to each such Domestic Customer an explanation in clear, plain and intelligible language of the basis upon which a fixed amount (and any variation of that fixed amount) has been determined.

You must make your own judgement whether the explanation received complies. If not the Edf complaints process is open to you.

You should ask for the original payment (or a modest increase by agreement) to be reinstated pending the outcome of the complaint. If necessary the complaint outcome could be extended by Energy Ombudsman referral.

You should ask for (and post pls) the date of your next "annual review".

If you ask nicely it is not difficult to get the previous direct debit reinstated (because the advisers understand the system is "dysfunctional"), however be aware that the terms and conditions allow for any debit balance in excess of £150 at "annual review" to be collected.

Edit to take into account the debit balance response:

It is harder to argue in the face of a debt balance but given the limited figures and a reducing seasonal consumption profile, it's not major. Be prepared to make a compromise to clear it. Or a modest increase, but not £172 which seems absurd.

sweeno321

Thanks very much for the advice.

sweeno321

jalexa wrote: »

In my personal experience the Edf Direct Debit recalculation system is "dysfunctional". That is entirely seperate from the generic issue of "spring alignment" which exagerates the extent of the "sudden excessive hike" you are being subjected to.

The supply regulations (among other things) requires this of suppliers...

27.14 The licensee must provide to each such Domestic Customer an explanation in clear, plain and intelligible language of the basis upon which a fixed amount (and any variation of that fixed amount) has been determined.

You must make your own judgement whether the explanation received complies. If not the Edf complaints process is open to you.

You should ask for the original payment (or a modest increase by agreement) to be reinstated pending the outcome of the complaint. If necessary the complaint outcome could be extended by Energy Ombudsman referral.

You should ask for (and post pls) the date of your next "annual review".

If you ask nicely it is not difficult to get the previous direct debit reinstated (because the advisers understand the system is "dysfunctional"), however be aware that the terms and conditions allow for any debit balance in excess of £150 at "annual review" to be collected.

Edit to take into account the debit balance response:

It is harder to argue in the face of a debt balance but given the limited figures and a reducing seasonal consumption profile, it's not major. Be prepared to make a compromise to clear it. Or a modest increase, but not £172 which seems absurd.

To be honest I would be happy to clear the debit and increase my DD to £90 per month as I do want to build up a credit which will only help this time next year. However I agree £172 per month is absurd!

jalexa

sweeno321 wrote: »

To be honest I would be happy to clear the debit and increase my DD to £90 per month as I do want to build up a credit which will only help this time next year.

I imagine Edf would jump at that offer. The key date is the "annual review" date where a "zero balance" is attempted. Once there and with a knowledge of your typical annual consumption it is easy to calculate the correct monthly payment.

brewerdave

To back up Jalexa re EDF's DD payments calculation "system" being dysfunctional - if I had paid the requested increased DDs asked of me since July instead of maintaining the original DD - I would now be £1000 in credit with half of Winter already over!!