Setting of DD amounts with new supplier

modsandmockers

Hengus wrote: »

The exact words used were " XXX is obligated by its license conditions to ensure that it does not take action that would leave its customers in debt. Whilst I accept that the EAC and AQ ratings show lower usage, this does not mean that this will be the usage in the property. XXX is entitled to come to its own conclusion based on the evidence of your actual consumption that it has.'

Make of that what you will. I switched suppliers within days of XXX coming up with its wacky annual projection. I had joined them in February: paid them 4 monthly DD payments and was £10.02 in credit.

I am currently over £250 in credit with my new supplier.

'XXX is entitled to come to its own conclusion' - yes, that's the problem!

'I am currently over £250 in credit with my new supplier' - it's no secret that you, like me and Biggles, are amongst the minority of energy users who are able to understand and manage these things to their own advantage...

Richie-from-the-Boro

What "one-off reason, been very expensive in terms of gas usage", was it something as understandable removing completely a previously used gas fire in the living room maybe ?

Biggles

dogshome wrote: »

Of course if you Switch supplier, that supplier will base your D/D's on whatever consumption figures you give them

That is what happened last year. I have hopes that will be the case next time.

Many thanks to all for the useful comments.

System

Biggles wrote: »

That is what happened last year. I have hopes that will be the case next time.

If you are looking for more certainty then might I suggest that you look at Ovo - or one of the smaller suppliers. Ova requires the first month's payment in advance and are upfront about winter usage and DD amounts:

We calculate how much energy we think you'll use over a year and divide that by 12 to work out a monthly direct debit amount.

When you join OVO, we work out how much energy we think you’ll use over the year. This is calculated taking into account factors like the size of your home and what you’ve used in the past. Then we divide that cost by 12 to work out your monthly payment. If you join during the winter, we’ll also add a 10% ‘seasonal uplift’ to your Direct Debit, to cover the extra energy you’re likely to use in the colder months.

Ovo also provides monthly billing and, if you select Statements on Demand, you can change the monthly DD within certain range limits.

Ovo's bills also show an Assumed Annual Consumption which is wholly in line with my expectations/usage. They don't get everything right but their billing has been spot on.

victor2

Hengus wrote: »

...
Then we divide that cost by 12 to work out your monthly payment. If you join during the winter, we’ll also add a 10% ‘seasonal uplift’ to your Direct Debit, to cover the extra energy you’re likely to use in the colder months.
...

Those two sentences contradict each other. So, they calculate you predicted annual cost and divide it by 12. Fine. Do they also include a 10% seasonal reduction if you join in the summer?
I used to be with OVO and they were OK once you'd accepted you were paying up front. Through my online account I was able to reduce my DD so that when I left them in the summer they only owed me around £30, which they did promptly refund.