Fixed direct debit increases

Smurphy1

We are currently on a 2 year fixed energy tariff with OVO. Until Oct 2023. 
When I took the contract out I sent all usage etc from the previous 12months over to OVO from the smart meter and cost was £124 dd per month based on usage etc. 
Just had an email to say based on usage etc etc DD needs to increase to £254 per month!! 
I don't understand it, same smart meter, same house, 1 less occupant & they say in 2months we are -£340 on the account!
How do I challenge this? Surely fixed means fixed rates & we can't possibly be using that much more? (always go into deficit Nov-Feb each year,  but then it evens out in the summer. Our previous supplier refunded us £90 when we switched to OVO!) Help please. 

Robin9

On face value you have used more than you said you would but it may be that OVO can't read your meter and they are guessing.

Can we have your meter reads from 12 months ago and from today please.  How do these compare with what's on your statement.

Neil_Jones

Your direct debit is not your bill.  Fixed only means fixed as in you will only be charged 15p per unit of electricity for example (even if the wholesale price tripled, you'd still be charged 15p per unit), it doesn't mean you pay £124 and use all the energy you like.  Doesn't work like that.

If you only agreed the new deal in October last year you are probably on some ridiculous rate as it is and you may do better to drop drop to the standard variable tariff which at this time is capped, until at least April.

Curiousgirl1

If you can post a bit more information, e.g. readings 1 year apart & the tariff & dsc we’ll be able to give you better advice 

Smurphy1

Thanks, I'll post more details later after work. 

emmajones1976

On a wider point, this thread does display the misinformation that exists in the energy world. How many people as a percentage think that a fixed rate means the amount of money they pay per month doesnt change, I wonder?

booshya

Smurphy1 said:

We are currently on a 2 year fixed energy tariff with OVO. Until Oct 2023. 
When I took the contract out I sent all usage etc from the previous 12months over to OVO from the smart meter and cost was £124 dd per month based on usage etc. 
Just had an email to say based on usage etc etc DD needs to increase to £254 per month!! 
I don't understand it, same smart meter, same house, 1 less occupant & they say in 2months we are -£340 on the account!
How do I challenge this? Surely fixed means fixed rates & we can't possibly be using that much more? (always go into deficit Nov-Feb each year,  but then it evens out in the summer. Our previous supplier refunded us £90 when we switched to OVO!) Help please. 

Same usage? (for the period in question?)

How do you challenge this?
You need to look at the detailed bill and see if there is anything on there you do not agree with.
Is the tariff charged correct? Are the meter readings correct? Does the bill reflect the payments you have already made? etc.

If all that stacks up, and you believe you are on target to break even at term end, then contact the supplier.

On the face of it, if you thought you would only use £1488 of energy per year and you have already allegedly used £588 in just 2 months, then something appears to be wrong.

You ask "we can't possibly be using that much more?".  You have the meter at your property. No one here can advise you on that question.

But you may have an explanation you can offer to the supplier why that may be.

Curiousgirl1

emmajones1976 said:

On a wider point, this thread does display the misinformation that exists in the energy world. How many people as a percentage think that a fixed rate means the amount of money they pay per month doesnt change, I wonder?

From my experience, a lot