EDF charging more than double?

Wilkesy91

Usually me and partner would pay £97 a month for gas and electric. For the last few months it’s has been £97. Today a payment has gone to them for £197 surely this is a miss calculation. Is normal for a company to more than double the direct debit amount? 

We was using ovo energy before and that went up over the winter but nowhere near that amount, we’re looking at switching now because this is the second time edf have done this. 

Robin9

@Wilesy91  More info please -  your annual consumptions in kWh would be a great help.   I assume gas heating , 3 bed semi.

Look at your bills  - does the letter E against the readings keep appearing  and is the bottom line a debt (getting bigger every month)

Neil_Jones

"I pay £97 a month" means nothing.  Forget that, its not a bill.  It's just a donation to your kitty towards the next bill.

Are you reading your meters and giving them to EDF?

Robin9

@Wilkesy91  I see from another thread you moved in in March 2019  - assuming your OVO fix finished March 2020 - is that when switched to EDF ?  What were the meter readings when you switched and what are they today ? 

 This may be EDF making sure your account is in balance at the year end and the new DD may be just a catch up

niktheguru

To answer your original question as others have, yes it can be normal for a utility company to increase your direct debit. but it usually means your account has gone into debt because you are using more energy than you are paying for. This is either because you estimated annual consumption was too low to start with, your consumption has increased this year (common as more people staying/working from home) and most common of all people are not providing accurate regular meter readings and they have been paying based upon estimates and then at some point either a read meter reading has been submitted or a meter reader has visited the property.....then you are paying catchup.

As others have said you need to check your ACTUAL consumption, submit meter readings, and check what your account is doing. YOU NEED TO LOOK AT YOUR BILLS, not your direct debit.

Phones4Chris

In any event EDF should have notified that they were going to increase the DD ......... but why?.

Robin9

Phones4Chris said:

In any event EDF should have notified that they were going to increase the DD ......... but why?.

@W@Wilkesy91 These notifications are usually on the statements you receive -   what does yours say about changes to DD ?

peteduk

First I would look at your usage based on your meter readings / the bills as suggested above. I would then check your tariff and confirm their calculations. If you think the new monthly direct debit is still too high call / chat to EDF and discuss with them.
I believe EDF have review periods when their system automatically calculates a new direct debit value. In my case they wanted to reduce the payment but I did not think it was valid because they hadn't taken all my circumstances into account (new house which had been empty during renovation). They increased at my request.
I also think that if you are on a deal they may have factored in that your deal is ending within the next 6 months or so if that is the case