Dual fuel price hike

Mistermoo

Hi. Around 4 months ago I changed my G&E tariff to what seemed a lot better for me, changed to direct debit payments etc and upon the company (EDF) receiving my latest meter readings what started off as a manageable monthly payment, they have increased my payments 3 fold. How do these companies work out what you can be paying if you join them to then suddenly be able to triple the monthly payments, why isn't the tariff offered be tied in to the initial cheaper monthly payments? 

daveyjp

Tarriff is cost per unit, direct debit is based on the expected use over a year you provided when you accepted the quote.

Use more fuel than you estimated and the direct debit will increase.

If the new direct debit appears excessive based on your calculations of estimated use refuse the increase.

Robin9

What consumption figures did you give EDF ?   in the last 4 months what has your consumption been ?   What monthly readings have you given EDF ? (If you haven't given any readings don't blame EDF for guessing)

PS Dual fuel is generally not the way to go these days - better with different suppliers.

Gerry1

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/lower-energy-direct-debits/#whatyoupay

The_Fat_Controller

Get a SMART METER, then your DD should roughly align to your actual consumption once they have a couple of readings.
Your tariff is what it is, the unit charges are set in stone.
The DD would have been set using the estimated usage you gave EDF or their estimates if you just told them your house size, bathrooms etc.
If your subsequent usage was much higher the DD has to be adjusted to align with that usage, it's nothing to do with your tariff !

Gerry1

The_Fat_Controller said:

Get a SMART METER, then your DD should roughly align to your actual consumption once they have a couple of readings.

Only if you are on Variable Direct Debit, which most suppliers don't offer.  In any case, you can just read the traditional meter yourself, it's not difficult except for people with poor mobility or eyesight.

The_Fat_Controller

EDF offer Direct Debit (Whole Amount) Monthly, that's how I pay, so they read the smart meter and bill me monthly in arrears.
I can still access all the DD tariffs and it's a great way to pay if, like me, you know you can pay any bill that drops into your inbox.
As for the OP, you need to get a grip on what your are actually using.
Once you have worked out your rough annual usage and associated cost, then you can go back to EDF if that cost divided by 12 is not what your monthly DD is set at.

Mistermoo

Thank you all. I honestly can't remember how they got to the initial monthly payments figure, but obviously if we're using more than estimated then it needs to be paid! Thanks again for all the help!!

Robin9

But @mistermoo you don't know if the estimates are high. Read those meters and compare with what's on the bills please. 

And read those meters every month from now on.




It's important that you dig a little deeper and get your bills on an even keel- so that the issue doesn't appear next time you swop.

Hasbeen

Mistermoo said:

Thank you all. I honestly can't remember how they got to the initial monthly payments figure, but obviously if we're using more than estimated then it needs to be paid! Thanks again for all the help!!

They get the initial monthly payments figure from the information you supplied.

Hopefully in actual yearly usage, and not as some people do in DD £s or how many bedrooms etc you have LOL.