OVO Energy

Gertie100

Afternoon all
I have just been ported over from SSE to OVO Energy.
I'm currently on the standard variable rate.
I am £171 in credit - I have submitted meter readings today.
This is 100% accurate.
They have just emailed me to say that they want to increase my DD by £20 a month.
I have said no because it's clear that we are not underpaying and have a buffer there ready for winter. 
And been told no - it's automatic.
And can only be changed once they've taken the increased DD.
Don't get me wrong if we were in debt or close to not paying enough I would expect the DD to go up but surely this is not needed?

emmajones1976

Its perfectly normal to build up a credit in summer and use it in winter, clearly they think with the increase in prices this credit still wont be sufficient to cover payments once winter is done.

adamcarvell

I’ve been with ovo nearly two years now fix ending this month I’ve had similar email direct debit increase even though in credit.

emmajones1976

You are aware the price of electric and gas has shot up, yes?

Gertie100

emmajones1976 said:

You are aware the price of electric and gas has shot up, yes?

Ummm yes, which is why I noted that if I wasn't overpaying I wouldn't consider it a problem.

Gertie100

adamcarvell said:

I’ve been with ovo nearly two years now fix ending this month I’ve had similar email direct debit increase even though in credit.

It seems that they are putting everyone's DDs up regardless of whether they are on a fixed rate or not. Well according to their chat person anyway! 

Astria

They will state in the email the reason for the increase, it might be simply because, even if you use the same amount of gas/electric next year, the projected amount it will cost over the next 12 months plus your credit balance and current direct debits will not match that value so they have increased your DD to allow for that. If you go too much into credit by next year you can request some of it back.

Note that prices are likely to go up again next April. The cap hasn't been fixed yet, but some providers are guessing 5-7p/kwh for gas, and upto 25p/kwh for electric unless wholesale prices come down before then.

QrizB

Gertie100 said:

emmajones1976 said:

You are aware the price of electric and gas has shot up, yes?

Ummm yes, which is why I noted that if I wasn't overpaying I wouldn't consider it a problem.

What makes you think you're already overpaying?