Can energy supplier force me to pay higher DD despite drastic drop in energy usage?

Treadway1

Evening all,

Just looking for some advice regards my particular energy usage circumstances....

My household electricity usage over the last 6 months has been massive, chiefly due to an elderly relative living with us who had an oil filled rad switched on almost 24/7 in order to keep them warm. As of last week though, they are no longer living with us and so our electric usage will plummet by comparison.

However, Eon have recently sent me an email saying they're raising my monthly DD from £100 to £375, which I understand will be largely due to my higher previous usage skewing my projected average annual consumption.

But here are three twists to the story:

1) As above, the elderly relative is no longer living with us
2) There is around £300 credit still waiting to be transferred form my old Igloo energy account after they went bust
3) I'm about to have solar panels with battery storage installed this weekend

All of this means that my electricity usage will drop massively and my gas use will also be lower, as I'm having a device installed that redirects excess solar energy to heat the immersion tank in the loft, meaning the boiler won't be on as much.

I've emailed all of this to Eon about a week ago, asking them to leave my DD as is for these reasons, but as yet I've had nothing back from them.

I'm just wondering if I can 'force' (for want of a better phrase) them to leave my DD amount at £100, given all of the above?

TIA for any advice.

MWT

Easiest solution is to ask them to move you to a variable direct debit...

pramsay13

With a direct debit you are in full control, but some companies are more flexible than others.
Are you able to log in online and put it back down?
It might be easier to let them raise it for a month or two and the revisit it and ask them to reduce. 

Chrysalis

I suggest going variable direct debit, not only will that prevent them from taking more than you owe, but also you pay in arrears instead of in advance.

FreeBear

Chrysalis said:

I suggest going variable direct debit, not only will that prevent them from taking more than you owe, but also you pay in arrears instead of in advance.

But you may find you have to pay a little more for the privilege - Often, the cheapest tariff is the fixed direct debit version.

molerat

MWT said:

Easiest solution is to ask them to move you to a variable direct debit...

That is with Eon, Eon Next do not offer variable DD.

FreeBear

Rates for East of England from https://www.eonnext.com/tariff-search

Next Flex– Direct Debit version

Electricity

Unit rate	29.24 p/kWh
Standing charge	37.92 p/day

Eco 7 Electricity

Day unit rate	34.18 p/kWh
Night unit rate	17.88 p/kWh
Standing charge	38 p/day

Gas Tariff

Unit rate	7.34 p/kWh
Standing charge	27.22 p/day

Next Flex– Payment on receipt of bill version

Electricity

Unit rate	30.8 p/kWh
Standing charge	43.33 p/day

Eco 7 Electricity

Day unit rate	35.57 p/kWh
Night unit rate	19.39 p/kWh
Standing charge	43.41 p/day

Gas Tariff

Unit rate	7.74 p/kWh
Standing charge	32.03 p/day