Direct debit amount, is it right?

jess1808

I moved into my property a 2 bed newish (2004) terrace house a few months ago, my dual fuel direct debit was £48 per month with no previous readings, we've been pretty consistent and used around £27 the first 3 summer months, I actually expect elec to go down slightly as we were both off work for most of that time and are now both full time but we haven't used any heating yet. We have a gas combi boiler for heating and hot water and only have central heating no fire or anything. Does my direct debit amount sound about right to compensate for winter? I don't want to find it jumps up in another 3 months time when they review it. Sorry I know I'll find out once I start using the heating but I'd like to know if it seems approx right based on others so I can budget for it changing or hopefully a refund.

vuvuzela

You'll get a wide range of answers. It depends on a lot of factors - your occupancy levels in the house, how cold the winter is, how susceptible you and your partner are to cold, the insulation of your house and likely other things as well.
Personally I would have said that it is on the low side but maybe not unfeasibly low - I live in a 2 bed Victorian terrace with my wife and my DD is under £50, fully accounting for billed usage, meters read by myself and uploaded regularly to EDF's website. We have recently had a couple of warmer winters than the longer-term average though.

matelodave

I'd agree that £48 sounds a bit low - it's equivalent to about £576 a year. Most people use around 70% of their energy in the five months November to March and 30% in 7 months. So you've still got the bulk of your energy consumption to come - around £400 between November and March if the estimate is roughly right.

If it's based on a guesstimate then I'd be inclined to put another £15-£20 a month away in a savings account just in case you have a shortfall although most energy companies will reassess your direct debit after 3-6 months and adjust it if it looks as though you aren't paying enough.

Make sure you read your meters yourself, at least monthly and do your own sums to see how you are getting on - set up a spreadsheet and it will help you budget and monitor your consumption. Most energy companies have an on-line account which allows you to monitor your readings and statements and you can send in readings to make sure that you are on track for a zero balance at the end of your contract.

Spending 10 minutes a month to monitor your consumption and bills could save you hours of grief later on