Prepayment meters

Andybez38

Can you ask for a pre-payment meter to be removed and go onto a quarterly direct debit if you owe no outstanding debt?

CashStrapped

Yes, however most suppliers do a credit check. If you have poor credit history, they may refuse to swap it out.

EDF however, as far as I remember do not, so they are a good company to switch to and then replace that meter. There is a list on the energy section of this site.

You can then switch from EDF to a cheaper supplier.

note* just ensure when you switch to them you go on to a tariff without exit fees.

If however your credit history is good, try it with your existing supplier!

Monthly DD with quarterly billing is where most of the best tariffs lie. To be honest, most suppliers automatically produce an up-to-date bill when you supply a meter reading. Hence I supply a meter reading each month. This ensures my account is as expected and the DD is set at the correct amount year round.

Remember, a Direct Debit payment is not the actual bill amount. It is an estimated average of your yearly bill spread in to 12 payments. In summer it should over pay (build up a credit) and in winter it will under pay (and use up said credit). By spring the balance should be zero...ish. The more meter readings you give, the more accurate the DD estimate.

People coming from prepay meters can often struggle how to manage a DD payment.

System

Yes ! and its free, with a few provisos.Credit checks ! Most suppliers do a "hard " credit check, (BG s seem quite strict ) except EDF. SSE do a "soft " check.Also it has to be the account holder and if you are renting there may be t/c s regarding reinstating the property to its condition on first renting.Maybe best to get the landlords permission before exchanging the meters.

SpotlandRules

The other way of doing it, is to get prepay smart meters installed by OVO. These are classed as credit meters, as they are disconnected remotely and not locally, in the event of a zero balance.

Leave it a few months, for all the databases to be updated and apply for a monthly account with someone. Worked a treat for me.