Prepay meter help

ConfusedLibrarian

Hi all, I could do with some advice. I moved into an electricity only 1 bed flat a few months back, the previous residents were using a prepay electricity meter. On signing up for an energy company prior to moving in (Eon) I was informed by phone that this would be absolutely no issue, and they would be able to switch me from prepay to direct debit, but I would initially have to sign up to their prepay plan.

On moving in however, when they sent through the new prepayment key, i found they had signed me up to their sister company, Eon Next (I'm very new to all this and I likely missed the wording difference in my email confirmation, but they definitely did not mention I would be signed up to a sister company during the phone consultation), and this sub branch refuses to switch the meter to a direct debit one. Not only is it incredibly inconvenient for me to take out cash and find a shop to top up this meter, my electricity expenditure is also absurdly high every month (around £150 for a sole occupant). Additionally, I can't switch to a new energy provider as I'm unsure who is currently switching prepay meters to direct debit, and who - if any - are even taking new customers right now. I could do with advice on either switching this meter to direct debit or keeping the bill down in the meantime, because it's unaffordable on a single salary! 

ConfusedLibrarian

Additional information: the flat uses storage heaters, of which I only use one in the main living area - it uses an economy 7 tariff and charges during off peak hours. The rest are turned off at the wall. I don't tend to use other appliances during off peak hours (eg washing machine etc) due to the noise, however. 

victor2

Eon Next is the new name for Eon. All new customers are directed to Eon Next, so it's not a "sister" company.

Ask them why they won't change you to a credit meter. It will involve a credit check and clearing any debt on the pre-pay meter, but you shouldn't have anything significant if you've only just moved in. Your current rates should be subject to the Ofgem cap, so you won't be able to find better and I would guess if they change your meter you won't go onto their Standard Variable Tariff, so won't be held to the cap. Instead you'll get something even more expensive. The new Ofgem cap is due to be announced next week, so probably worth hanging on until then.

Eon used to have a good reputation for customer service, no idea what Eon Next's is like...

Until then, look at your usage, what sort of heating do you have? That is likely to be the most expensive part of your monthly cost.

Can you read your meter in kWh? Is it Economy 7 with day and night readings? That is what you should be looking at.

Gerry1

Switch to EDF: there's not even a credit check.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity/#accordion-content-1334177364-0

They are accepting new customers on to their capped Standard Variable Tariff.

Not the most brilliant supplier, but at least you'll be on a capped credit tariff !

https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/help-centre/faq/our-tariffs-and-services?steps=23147#chapter-23144-3

The Ofgem announcement of the new price cap has been brought forward to 11:00am tomorrow.

ConfusedLibrarian

Eon next outright don't switch prepayment meters to direct debit unfortunately, it's stated on their website - I did try to ask them directly about this initially, but it just isn't a service they provide. I was afraid you might say that non prepay might work out even more expensive though - thank you for the advice about holding on until there's more information next week. Whenever I've checked the meter it just shows the amount of credit but there's likely a button somewhere, I will take a look at the meter when I'm home and see if I can figure it out! 

victor2

ConfusedLibrarian said:

Eon next outright don't switch prepayment meters to direct debit unfortunately, it's stated on their website - I did try to ask them directly about this initially, but it just isn't a service they provide. I was afraid you might say that non prepay might work out even more expensive though - thank you for the advice about holding on until there's more information next week. Whenever I've checked the meter it just shows the amount of credit but there's likely a button somewhere, I will take a look at the meter when I'm home and see if I can figure it out! 

Indeed it does. Bit short sighted IMO, but there we go.

Look at switching away. If you can go to EDF on a credit meter and their standard tariff, then that might improve the situation a little bit for you. One difficulty you'll have is that you don't know your annual usage in kWh, so it will be very difficult to come up with a direct debit amount. I had an account with EDF until I switched to Eon Next (funnily enough) last September. EDF were OK, but it annoyed me that they only asked for readings and generated statements once every 6 months. I had to calculate my monthly cost and position myself and used their online chat to adjust my DD accordingly. They did oblige, once I'd got past their chat "robot", but I had to keep good records myself.

Either way, with prices soaring, getting a good grip on what is using energy will help keep costs as low as possible.

Gerry1

victor2 said:

ConfusedLibrarian said:

Eon next outright don't switch prepayment meters to direct debit unfortunately, it's stated on their website - I did try to ask them directly about this initially, but it just isn't a service they provide. I was afraid you might say that non prepay might work out even more expensive though - thank you for the advice about holding on until there's more information next week. Whenever I've checked the meter it just shows the amount of credit but there's likely a button somewhere, I will take a look at the meter when I'm home and see if I can figure it out! 

EDF were OK, but it annoyed me that they only asked for readings and generated statements once every 6 months. I had to calculate my monthly cost and position myself and used their online chat to adjust my DD accordingly.

With EDF you can opt for Variable Direct Debit.  Ask for 'Direct Debit Whole Amount (Monthly)'.

QrizB

ConfusedLibrarian said:

.... my electricity expenditure is also absurdly high every month (around £150 for a sole occupant)

I don't think anyone has commented on this yet, but £150 isn't "absurdly high".

Standard variable prepayment tariff prices aren't very much more than DD ones; perhaps 10p/day extra on the standing charge.

£150 will buy you around 7-800kWh of electricity which isn't unreasonable for a month of an all-electric flat in winter.

MWT

ConfusedLibrarian said:

...On signing up for an energy company prior to moving in (Eon) ...

Small but possibly important point, you need to open an account with the existing supplier before switching to a new supplier, did that happen?