EDF direct debit to double, but can I challenge the increase?

anxiousnow

I'm aware of the price hike and my fixed deal ended recently so I know we will be paying more anyway, but they are now saying they want us to pay £260 per month from May. Current direct debit is £130 plus they just refunded us £60 credit (without me asking them to). 

Is it worth challenging the proposed increased DD? I wasn't quite expecting a 100 per cent increase! 

QrizB

What is your annual consumption of gas and electricity, in kWh? You'll see EDF's estimated annual consumption figures on your latest bill.

If you tell us those numbers, we can calculate your monthly payment on the April cap and then you'll know whether £260/month is correct or not.

Spies

It's doubled for a lot of people, more so those who were in a fixed term until recently.

Phlik

anxiousnow said:

I'm aware of the price hike and my fixed deal ended recently so I know we will be paying more anyway, but they are now saying they want us to pay £260 per month from May. Current direct debit is £130 plus they just refunded us £60 credit (without me asking them to). 

Is it worth challenging the proposed increased DD? I wasn't quite expecting a 100 per cent increase! 

If you've been on a fixed tariff then you've already missed the 50% ish jump in October last year, be thankful you've been spared that over the worst of winter but it does mean you're going to get both increases at the same time.

It is worth spending the time to check your actual usage in kWh (forget the dd payment, they're meaningless when working out your usage) against EDF's figures to make sure everything tally's up.

Ultrasonic

If you provide the data @QrizB requested this can be checked but I'm afraid it's certainly possible that the doubling in reasonable  .

anxiousnow

QrizB said:

What is your annual consumption of gas and electricity, in kWh? You'll see EDF's estimated annual consumption figures on your latest bill.

If you tell us those numbers, we can calculate your monthly payment on the April cap and then you'll know whether £260/month is correct or not.

Thanks. Estimates on my bill are 5,741 kWh for energy, and 14,028 kWh for gas.

Tigsteroonie

EDF increased ours from £160 to £240/month and then gave us a £350 refund less than a month later. Apparently their 'forecast for DD' and their 'actual bill and refund' systems are completely separate ... The advisor recommended that I ask for a review after six months.

QrizB

anxiousnow said:

QrizB said:

What is your annual consumption of gas and electricity, in kWh? You'll see EDF's estimated annual consumption figures on your latest bill.

If you tell us those numbers, we can calculate your monthly payment on the April cap and then you'll know whether £260/month is correct or not.

Thanks. Estimates on my bill are 5,741 kWh for energy, and 14,028 kWh for gas.

OK, so using those numbers and the national average capped tariff:

• Current cap: £1950/yr, £163/month
• April cap: £2925/yr, £244/month

EDF's request for £260/month is a little bit higher than that but is in the right ballpark.

pochase

If you were on a "good" fix the 100% increase is very realistic. The better your old deal the more the increase will hurt now.
 
I was on a fix until 28th of February with 14.5p for electricity and 2.32p for gas. The new standard variable rates from April would be  29.48p and 7.32p, which are increases of 103% for electricity and 215% for gas., so my average is far more than 100% increase.

To look at the real figures you will need to give us your current prices and your usage fore the last 12 months, 

anxiousnow

Thank you, I'll leave it as it is then (with gritted teeth). Your advice is much appreciated.

Robin9

anxiousnow said:

QrizB said:

What is your annual consumption of gas and electricity, in kWh? You'll see EDF's estimated annual consumption figures on your latest bill.

If you tell us those numbers, we can calculate your monthly payment on the April cap and then you'll know whether £260/month is correct or not.

Thanks. Estimates on my bill are 5,741 kWh for energy, and 14,028 kWh for gas.

Your electricity is certainly high; gas not so much.  Time to look at your energy use - lights, heating -  the lot.  Go through every room and see what you've got