Do any suppliers offer "pay as you use" direct debits?

grimsalve

I'm currently with Shell Energy (First Utility) and my fixed rate tariff is coming to an end so I'm looking around for another supplier. Shell Energy don't seem to be offering good deals any more.



First Utility demanded that I had smart meters installed last year and unfortunately I think these are the type that won't be compatible with other suppliers so I'll have to go back to manual meter readings but one thing I would really like to keep is "pay as you use" billing - ie. the monthly direct debit is variable and only pays for gas and electric used during the previous month.



Do any other suppliers offer the same thing? At the moment I'm thinking of maybe Octopus or Bulb but there's nothing on their websites about billing options.

The_Fat_Controller

Yes.

EDF.

Direct Debit Whole Amount (Monthly)

https://edfenergyuk.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1432?_ga=2.139302897.339034795.1557749039-46414622.1553798650

mac.d

I'm not sure what other sites let you search for this but if you use the Energylinx comparison site, one of the filters you can select is payment by 'monthly variable direct debit'. Which I presume is the same thing, though you'd need to check with the supplier for definite.

I get Powershop, British Gas, EDF, Eversmart, Utility Warehouse, Robin Hood, Ecotricity all offering payment this way (don't get Shell, it appears to list fixed direct debit only).

grimsalve

Bulb do "pay as you use"? Is there anywhere on their website that confirms this?

Benight

mac.d wrote: »

I'm not sure what other sites let you search for this but if you use the Energylinx comparison site, one of the filters you can select is payment by 'monthly variable direct debit'. Which I presume is the same thing, though you'd need to check with the supplier for definite.

I get Powershop, British Gas, EDF, Eversmart, Utility Warehouse, Robin Hood, Ecotricity all offering payment this way (don't get Shell, it appears to list fixed direct debit only).

I'm also getting ESB and Green Energy as possibilities too

grimsalve

I think I'll avoid Bulb

grimsalve

reported, sigh

JJ_Egan

All Bulb refers marked as spam .

Inigo_Montoya

"pay as you use" direct debit is usually called variable direct debit by energy companies

I suspect many do offer this on at least one of their tariffs but dont advertise it much

you may find in order to secure the cheapest tariff you will have to choose fixed monthly direct debit

ebico offer VDD if that helps but they may not be competative for you

The_Fat_Controller

The EDF version is exactly "pay as you use"

You pay for what you have used MONTHLY IN ARREARS , so they never have any money up front as long as you provide monthly readings, or as in my case, a smart meter which is read remotely each time a bill is due.

This method, paid by Direct Debit, means you DO qualify for all their tariffs.

nigelbb

The_Fat_Controller wrote: »

The EDF version is exactly "pay as you use"

You pay for what you have used MONTHLY IN ARREARS , so they never have any money up front as long as you provide monthly readings, or as in my case, a smart meter which is read remotely each time a bill is due.

This method, paid by Direct Debit, means you DO qualify for all their tariffs.

Really? I switched to EDF on a Budget Direct Debit (Monthly) tariff in February & haven't yet had a bill & according to the website

Time it takes to see your first bill is up to 12 months

If I can switch to Direct Debit Whole Amount (Monthly) or even better Direct Debit Whole Amount (Quarterly) & still retain my 24 month fixed tariff I shall be delighted.