Which energy providers offer variable direct debit?

nottsphil

You go on comparison sites, find a half decent deal (which invariably has to be direct debit) but then find you have to pay a set amount every month, which from various threads here gets vastly inflated in order to  provide suppliers with free working capital. This thread  is for those of us capable of doing the simple arithmetic to estimate the bills and fund our current accounts accordingly, so I don't want it to turn into a discussion about the  merits of budgeting. 
Thanks.

bristolleedsfan

Octopus Energy will if asked to set up variable DD to take full payment about 10 days after Bill/Statement is issued which for those without a Smart Meter is everytime a meter reading is submitted

stewie_griffin

I know E.ON do but not sure if it's only available on some tariffs.

Neil_Jones

nottsphil said:

You go on comparison sites, find a half decent deal (which invariably has to be direct debit) but then find you have to pay a set amount every month, which from various threads here gets vastly inflated in order to  provide suppliers with free working capital. This thread  is for those of us capable of doing the simple arithmetic to estimate the bills and fund our current accounts accordingly, so I don't want it to turn into a discussion about the  merits of budgeting. 
Thanks.

I have lived where I do now for over ten years and not once in any of that time has a direct debit from any energy supplier I've been with been "vastly inflated".

niktheguru

nottsphil said:

You go on comparison sites, find a half decent deal (which invariably has to be direct debit) but then find you have to pay a set amount every month, which from various threads here gets vastly inflated in order to  provide suppliers with free working capital. This thread  is for those of us capable of doing the simple arithmetic to estimate the bills and fund our current accounts accordingly, so I don't want it to turn into a discussion about the  merits of budgeting. 
Thanks.

Yes agree with Neil. Apart from symbio (the obvious exception), generally direct debits are not inflated, and if they are they can be reduced without any problem simply by providing regular meter readings and showing that your consumption is what you think of it. If my accounts have ever gone into credit (over roughly 50-60 quid) I always call them and get the direct debit changed or get a credit refund. There shouldn't be cases where your account is 100's in credit or debt. If you keep an eye on things then it is usually fine. 
Saying that, there are a few companies that do variable direct debit, octopus definitely do, british gas sometimes do.

fira

Shell Energy do. I input my readings on their website on the 19th of every month, they generate a downloadable bill and a few weeks later their direct debit is passed against my account for the exact amount due since the 20th of the previous month.

t0rt0ise

Symbio is the opposite. My fixed direct debits are fine, it's the variable ones that get inflated. I've never had a problem with fixed DDs with any supplier.

The_Fat_Controller

EDF Whole Bill Direct Debit Monthly.
Got my bill yesterday, 17th February, they'll take the whole amount on the 5th March.
Smart meter is read automatically every 29-31 days and bill generated within a day or two.
The payment method give access to all EDF Direct Debit tariffs.

TimSynths

In 18 years i've not had an issue with one single inflated DD. I've been with loads of companies as I switch every year.

Gerry1

I chose Variable Direct Debit when British Gas took over as SoLR from Robin Hood Energy.

Inigo_Montoya

another vote for EON - when I switched the only option was fixed direct debut but when I phoned up they changed it to variable direct debit on the same tariff - furthermore you can make manual payments as well so no direct debits ever get charged - useful if you have a cashback credit card