Challenging Increase in Direct Debit - EDF

Boltonlass

We have just been told by EDF that our monthly DD for dual gas/electricity is to increase from £217 to £271.
I am a kidney transplant patient so I need to keep warm; we have a 4 bedroom house so we accept that we do have high fuel charges.
However, the new charge is based solely on this last Winter's readings (which we have declared to EDF) and by keeping accurate metre readings we know that our Summer readings are far, far less.

What is the best way to challenge the new DD? It is surely not right that we should be penalised for the whole year due to a high Winter reading?

I have initially emailed them but have had a standard reply which did not address our email at all.

Cardew

Just phone or email EDF and say that the increase is not justified and they will probably reduce it without any fuss.


The increase is worked out by 'The Computer' and is 'untouched by human hand'. That said their algorithm takes into account winter summer use.


All utility companies are under pressure(and scrutiny) to ensure that large debit balances do not build up. However the DD would be reviewed automatically and adjusted down if your consumption was lower than predicted.

SuiDreams

Have you had a bill recently and was it using actual reads, If not submit a meter reading and tehy will recalculate your usage and DD automatically when ths bill is produced. I have been submitting regular meter reads and they have been adjusting my DD downwards inline with my lower useage.

Boltonlass

I'm inclined to let the DD go through, provide our readings as usual next time and argue the toss at that point if they try and charge us too much after the Spring readings. I am aware that the utilities are under pressure to avoid overcharging so I'm sure we will be able to argue the point when we have a lesser reading to show.
Thanks for your help.

yvonne13_2

OP I don't think you challenging will do any good. You have done everything right by giving actual readings. Companys love being in control and telling us their going to be taking x amount of money out of our bank accounts hence them not allowing us to set up standing orders any more.
Standing order means they cannot increase payments without you authorising it but the DD they can.
So basically Standing order means you're in control, Direct debt means their in control.

2Sheds

That's is a massive monthly cost :eek:

Anyway you can try and cut your energy use ?

We're sticking underfloor heating in the 2nd reception so that can be used as I'm at home a lot and not have to heat the whole house

Nada666

But if your usage was due to keeping warm then summer may have little impact - it was mild enough this winter that heating was rarely needed. If you needed additional warmth these past months chances are you will have the heating on over summer.

An increase of £54 is in effect an increase of only £27. On a £217 base that is only 12% - not really that much.

Yes, it is possible they (and I) are incorrect - but you should be expecting to accommodate a variation of 10 to 33%. You can demand the lower instalment to be maintained - but make sure you keep an eye on your meter or in six months you could well end up with payments having to go up from £217 to £325. (And, no, risking your health through keeping the heating much lower in future to prove your projection does not count!)

Cardew

yvonne13 wrote: »

OP I don't think you challenging will do any good. You have done everything right by giving actual readings. Companys love being in control and telling us their going to be taking x amount of money out of our bank accounts hence them not allowing us to set up standing orders any more.
Standing order means they cannot increase payments without you authorising it but the DD they can.
So basically Standing order means you're in control, Direct debt means their in control.

Any change in Direct Debit amount has to be notified to the customer well in advance and can be challenged if it is not justified. Read the Direct Debit Guarantee.


Payment by Direct Debit normally gives an attractive discount. Companies(not just Utility companies) prefer payment by DD because it is easier/cheaper for them to administer. Indeed with some companies you pay extra if you don't pay by DD.


It is not mandatory to pay bills by DD or Standing Order - you can pay for gas/electricity quarterly. However millions of us prefer to pay by DD because it is simpler and we normally get a discount.

Aquamania

Boltonlass wrote: »

I'm inclined to let the DD go through, provide our readings as usual next time and argue the toss at that point if they try and charge us too much after the Spring readings. I am aware that the utilities are under pressure to avoid overcharging so I'm sure we will be able to argue the point when we have a lesser reading to show.
Thanks for your help.

What difference will an extra month make? :huh:

EDF presumably already have at least 6 months usage history from you (and they take into the effect of different seasonal usage).

Based on personal experience, I would suggest you do as Cardew said and tell EDF now - I simply called them to ask to revert my monthly payment to the previously agreed amount whenever they wanted to change it and they always agreed, no fuss, no bother.
(Of course the request needs to be reasonable and justifiable, so be prepared with your numbers, but I never needed to justify anything - they just agreed with my request )

Note that to change the DD amount back, a further advance notice needs to be given to you, and if you leave it too long, they may not be able to get that advance notice to you, so you might end up paying a month at the higher price)

What's more, in the event they don't agree on the phone, you are then in pole position to start an official complaint in writing where you can spell out your fully justifaible request in writing.

Nada666

2Sheds wrote: »

That's is a massive monthly cost :eek:

Anyway you can try and cut your energy use ?

We're sticking underfloor heating in the 2nd reception so that can be used as I'm at home a lot and not have to heat the whole house

I would say the start of the third paragraph is something of a non sequitur following the second paragraph! (Yes, in practice it can work. Still, demands a double take.)

stressedmotherof4

EDF have just told us that they are increasing our DD from £345 pcm; which is already a lot higher than I think it should be.... to....£835 pcm. According to their figures for our usage we are using less this year than last. I think we are already being overcharged. We have reduced the time our heating is on, added insulation in the loft, turned the thermostat down.
I cannot understand how we are spending so much more than we did before we moved...to a smaller house.
I have never used EDF before moving house 16 months ago and I can't fathom why we are now paying so much: I am wondering if there is a problem with our meters...