EDF direct debit annoyance

Retrovertigo

Just had an email with my latest EDF bill and am as confused as I usually am with this company.

I basically had credit with them until my bill was due, and after it now being paid, I am still £80 in credit with them.

However, despite this, and the fact meter readings were supplied and so the bill was accurate, they want to up my direct debit (I'll be informing them that they won't be when I speak to them on Monday)

This bill covers a four month period (actually four months and one week) and it says I used £109 of electricity and £56 of gas. Both before VAT.

This is based of meter readings and so is accurate. That comes to £165 for both before VAT for a four month period.

However, the bill says at the top, they are changing my direct debit to £75 per month, based on the fact they estimate I will use £74 of electricity per month over the next 12 months?????

No explanation of how they come to this figure seeing as my latest bill is based of readings and not estimates. Worse is that the bill ends with an estimate for the next 12 months of just over £620 for both gas and electricity - including VAT??

This is the second time this year I'm going to have to call them and argue the toss about the fact they have messed a bill up. Where they pluck this £75 per month direct debit from is anyones guess.

I hate having to chase stuff up like this, especially when money is always a concern and so I try to conserve gas and electricity as best I can. I hate worrying over these things.

backfoot

Hope this helps.

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Media/FactSheets/Documents1/directdebitleaflet.pdf

Ask them for a written explanation which should involve them showing a calculation. Tell them they are obliged to provide it under the Ofgem Guidance Leaflet.

snowcat53

Inevitably they will back down but it would be helpful to all of us if you could ask them for a full explanation and calculation - insist it is in writing - of how they came up their figure, This would be useful extra evidence.

Electricity usually has less seasonal variation (unless you heat using it). so should be less relevant what period they are using.