EDF - Direct Debit price increase?

katiedhollinshead

Hello all,

This is my first time on the forum, my first time renting my own house and first time using EDF Energy.
I've managed to get my electric prepayment meter switched over to a smart meter - and agreed on a £68 a month direct debit each month. This was fine - until I received a bill the other day explaining this would be going up to £254!!!!???

Going by my smart meter and my bills (and the fact i'm £71 in credit despite only having been on the plan nov-jan) I have never used this much electricity.

I used the live chat to speak to somebody who changed the direct debit back to £68 but now i'm worried that i'm going to get slapped with a huge bill at some point in the future. I'm clueless when it comes to energy and things at the moment so could anyone provide any insight?

I'm also currently getting EDF to change my gas meter over (8th feb i believe) so I can pay monthly for that too as i'm currently forking out about £90 a month on a gas prepayment meter (it's cold up here ) and will then hopefully be switching suppliers for a cheap, easy, dual-fuel deal. Is this the best route? Any advice here?

Any information would be great as I'm currently panicking like mad - £254 a month is a HUGE bill
Thank you so much

Katie

Robin9

You need to take control. Dont wait for your supplier to read meters or send bills.

Create a very simple spreadsheet - readings, tariff, standing charge, VAT (similar to the one below)

Electric Gas
Reading Consumption Unit Cost s/c inc VAT Payment Reading Cons kWh Unit cost s/c inc VAT Payment

26-Aug 7981 22-Aug 1189
24-Sep 8232 251 £23.59 £5.22 01-Sep £35.51 24-Sep 1202 13 143 £3.98 £5.73 £10.19 01-Sep £20.48
08-Oct 8376 144 £13.54 £2.52 01-Oct £70.49 08-Oct 1222 20 220 £6.12 £2.43 £8.97 01-Oct £20.48
28-Oct 8592 216 £20.30 £3.60 01-Nov £70.49 28-Oct 1282 60 660 £18.35 £3.47 £22.91 01-Nov £20.48


Read your meter at least every month and update the spreadsheet. This will give you a good indication of your bill.

Manage your account online and enter the readings.

Never pay on an estimated bill.

footyguy

katiedhollinshead wrote: »

Hello all,

This is my first time on the forum, my first time renting my own house and first time using EDF Energy.
I've managed to get my electric prepayment meter switched over to a smart meter - and agreed on a £68 a month direct debit each month. This was fine - until I received a bill the other day explaining this would be going up to £254!!!!???

Going by my smart meter and my bills (and the fact i'm £71 in credit despite only having been on the plan nov-jan) I have never used this much electricity.

I used the live chat to speak to somebody who changed the direct debit back to £68 but now i'm worried that i'm going to get slapped with a huge bill at some point in the future. I'm clueless when it comes to energy and things at the moment so could anyone provide any insight?

I'm also currently getting EDF to change my gas meter over (8th feb i believe) so I can pay monthly for that too as i'm currently forking out about £90 a month on a gas prepayment meter (it's cold up here ) and will then hopefully be switching suppliers for a cheap, easy, dual-fuel deal. Is this the best route? Any advice here?

Any information would be great as I'm currently panicking like mad - £254 a month is a HUGE bill
Thank you so much

Katie

Hello, and welcome to MSE :hello:

I do agree that something seems awry for a supplier to raise your monthly direct debit collection from £68 to £254.

I would suggest you start by reading this informative MSE article, and then contact your supplier to challenge this (if appropriate).
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/lower-energy-direct-debits

If, as it seems you have already done, you have already successfully challenged the monthly incresae, you will not get slapped with any bill (unless the supplier told you otherwise when they agreed to revert your monthly payment back to £68.
If in any doubt, it seems you are already well aware of the webcaht facility, so I suggest you use it again. Better than sitting there panicking, eh?

Consult a comparison site to find the best deal for you
This informative MSE article has more information on that.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/you-switch-gas-electricity

I would also suggest looking at seperate suppliers, as that can often save even more.

Unfortunately, if you switch supplier, those nice new smart meters may not operate so smartly, but don't let that stop you saving money :money:
You will get a final bill from EDF when if you switch from them, but it probably won't be too big, and you might even get some money back if what you say proves correct

Good luck!

FedUpWithHikes

I've been with EDF since October, and regularly complain to them Their "LiveChat" doesn't even work with Firefox! They have tried switching me to a more expensive tariff 3 times so far, and even when I call and get it reset, I often then get a notification they want to up my DD because of the new tariff!!
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