Supplier refusing to release Direct Debit calculation

victor2

MisterCee72 said:

Wondering whether anyone has had better luck than us with British Gas, who are actively refusing to release the kWh that they have used in calculating our dual fuel monthly direct amount?

Getting a lot of waffle from them about algorithms rather than simple maths based on estimated annual consumption in kWh for both gas and electricity.

SLC 27.14 seems to suggest that they are required to release the basis for the calculation.

Additionally, are any of the other suppliers similar, or even perhaps more helpful, for customers who simply want greater detail to ensure that they have landed on a fair direct debit calculation?

Thanks, C

I have never been with a supplier who has shown future estimates anything like the previous 12 months history, even when they've had that history directly from me/my meters. I just use my own calculations and ignore their estimates, then adjust my DD accordingly.

I would guess, if you could get an explanation from them, they would say the "computer" forecasts the kWh based on complexities such as the longe range weather forecast. Avro Energy (RIP) were less subtle, the used the annual gas kWh figure you gave them when you joined forever, regardless of your actual history!

matelodave

All the energy firms that I've been with (eight over the past ten years) have accepted my estimate of consumption and have worked out the DD in accordance. I've never let them do the guesstimating

There was only one company that then faffed around with the DD - SSE who wanted to revise my DD every three months based on the previous three months of consumption, which meant that they wanted it to bounce up and down like a yo-yo. I refused to change giving them my reasons.

Even now I'm with EoN-Next, my DD has remained at the level it was set based on my consumption estimate over the whole period - that meant a rolling debit through the winter which balanced out to zero this month. Next month it will start going into credit in anticipation of next winters consumption and I've already worked out what my DD should be with the impending increases.

It's not difficult to do your own sums, based on your previous consumption history - it 's not rocket science and really doesn't need a complicated algorithm to work it all out. It just need you to take charge of your account rather than hope that the enrgy company will do it

I have a pretty good idea of my monthly consumption and can easily work out what my DD should be and when my account will be in credit or debit and when it will balance to zero.