Why do EDF bills change like the weather ?

hubb

I am really perplexed as to why my duel fuel bills are so confusing. Last time I had an estimated bill from EDF (and this seems to be the norm with every other supplier I have had in the past) I have an estimated usage of ridiculous amounts. The last time I spoke to an adviser he explained that £68 paid over a year should even out my usage for the year (going off past records).

I am sorry but I cannot understand this bill

£78 a month for future gas usage.
£36 a month for future electricity usage

Your gas and electricity statement: £35.45

Account balance before this statement £416.93 cr
Your electricity charges for this statement £196.19
Your gas charges for this statement £272.19
Your Discounts and Surcharges £32.37 cr
Total VAT £16.37


Your new account balance £35.45

Annual Statement for period: 03!Jul!2012 - 02!Jul!2013
Your next
12 months
estimated
usage in kWh
Based
on your
prices
Your estimated
costs for the
next 12 months
Your last
12 months
usage in kWh

Electricity Meter Number: ********* Tariff: Fix for 2012 Electricity

2,623 2,623 12.27p £321.84

Standing Charge 13.15p per day £48.00
Gas Meter Number: ************* Tariff: Fix for 2012 Gas

11,046 11,046 3.353p £370.37

Standing Charge 19.72p per day £71.98
Discounts - includes £48.73 Direct Debit Discount £56.73 cr
VAT £37.77
Total 13,669 13,669 £793.23

If £793.23 over 12 months is estimated, to my working out that is £66.10 a month and NOT £114 a month (£78 + £36)

At the moment I can't speak to an adviser as their system is down.

Any rocket scientists care to enlighten me ?

jalexa

hubb wrote: »

If £793.23 over 12 months is estimated, to my working out that is £66.10 a month and NOT £114 a month (£78 + £36)

Edf statements are misleading by omission. Fact. Whether they are misleading by design I cannot say.

The fundamental issue is that the statement projects future costs over 12 months...

"Annual Statement for period: 03!Jul!2012 - 02!Jul!2013
Your next
12 months
estimated....."

...arithmetically correct subject to the projected consumption being reasonable, but the direct debit calculation is based on projecting a zero account balance at the next 'annual review' date. A completely different calculation not explained by the statement. If you do not know your 'annual review' date you need to ask.

You are also entitled to ask Edf to provide details of the direct debit recalculation (SLC 27.14 & SLC 27.15).

Your latest statement appears to indicate a debit balance of £35.45. It is not clear to me whether that is based on estimated or actual consumption. Regardless, it is difficult from a customer viewpoint to argue monthly payment adequacy in October in the face of an account debit balance. You may or may not be successful in reducing your payment if you phone.

hubb

Reducing payment from what I am already paying £68 or £114 ?

magicgirl

I am also desperate to speak to them. THey have shown my usage over the last year as 3678 (elec) and 5039 (gas but estimated my usage for the next year as 4193 (elec) and 9028 (gas). They appear to have pulled these numbers out of thin air and I am apaulled as they are raising my payments by about £400 as a result. As you say, their systems are (conveniently) down so can even sort. Annoyed is a bit tame for how i feel right now. I have had real probs with them over the last twelve months and its a shame cos i always went back to them on account of their customer service but its really let me down this last year.

jalexa

hubb wrote: »

Reducing payment from what I am already paying £68 or £114 ?

I doubt there are any grounds for reducing the £68:D unless you can justify a debit balance in October.

hubb

Well I certainly won't be paying £114 for sure as that is absolutely ridiculous. Would you recommend a better supplier in Cheshire ?

BTW-The adviser that just spoke with me seemed to acknowledge that the estimations are not to be taken seriously. What kind of Mickey mouse set-up is this ? I would rather go back to nationalized and at least we all know where we are.

jalexa

hubb wrote: »

Well I certainly won't be paying £114 for sure as that is absolutely ridiculous. Would you recommend a better supplier in Cheshire ?

It has taken me a year, but I have aggressively managed the accuracy of my account projections and it is now correctly managed. I have a competitive fixed price until April 2014. I'm staying, partly because leaving is just jumping from the "poêle à frire" into the supply industry fire.

macman

hubb wrote: »

Well I certainly won't be paying £114 for sure as that is absolutely ridiculous. Would you recommend a better supplier in Cheshire ?

BTW-The adviser that just spoke with me seemed to acknowledge that the estimations are not to be taken seriously. What kind of Mickey mouse set-up is this ? I would rather go back to nationalized and at least we all know where we are.

Why don't you supply actual readings and get them to rebill you? Then you'll know where you are with the requested DD level.
It's not a difficult calculation-it's your projected annual spend divided by 12. You can then renegotiate with the correct data at hand.

hubb

I do indeed give readings. In fact I gave a reading a few months ago which is why they came to the £68 a month to cover the whole year based on my history. Of course I cannot give a reading just now as the system is "down".

jalexa

macman wrote: »

It's not a difficult calculation-it's your projected annual spend divided by 12.

No it's not. At the point of recalculation it is the projected cost (less account balance) which results in a zero account balance at the date of the next 'annual review' divided by the number of payments until the next 'annual review'.

None of that data appears on the running "annual statement", hence it is in fact an "impossible" calculation.

hubb

Well, they automatically re-adjusted my payments to not £68 a month but £136 !!! I asked why and the person didn't seem to know as it's done by the system. She re-adjusted it according to my usage and latest readings to a more reasonable £66.