How to talk to Eon on about a affordable DD when energy needs have changed significantly

Brie

OK - so I'll say right now that I know the DD has little to do with energy use.  It's just the amount I pay.  And I intend to pay for what I use (even if I do sign up for Don't Pay UK).  And fyi - I'm on a fixed rate that will run for about another 14 months.

The first problem is that I have purposely kept the DD low as I feel no need to allow an energy company to have my money when it's doing me more good in my bank account (to the tune of 4% until recently).  So the debt on the account was growing throughout the winter months and has been decreasing since March.  

Now Eon has finally noticed that I still have a debt of about £500 and have suggested raising my DD from £120 a month to £280.  Even going by their estimated usage this is higher than is required although admittedly they're wanting it to chip away at the debt.  Which I understand.  And I could agree to pay a chunk towards that.

The second problem is that our energy usage has changed significantly, and not just due to it being summer.  My aged MiL has required the heat turned on all the way up as long as she's lived with us.  And she isn't any longer.  So how do I quantify this change?

I can't compare this summer to last summer as I know longer have the bills from last summer due to changing both suppliers and laptops (and losing some files as a result).  And obviously if I compare this month to January there's a huge difference due to us having the gas on more - the same as most people do.  

So any ideas on how to come to a reasonable estimate of our ongoing use, not based on having someone insisting the house is hotter than the tropics?

3/7 - 3/8/22
electric 283.8 kwh x 18.874 = 53.57 & SC 31 days x 22.64 = 7.12   Total 60.69
gas 161.4 kwh x 3.772 = 6.09 & SC 31 days x 24.879 = 7.71   Total  13.80

16/1 - 12/3/22
electric  1083.4 kwh x 18.874 = 204.48 & SC 56 days x 22.64 = 12.86   Total 217.37  (so 108.67/month)
gas 7471.9 kwh x 3.772 = 281.84 & SC 60 days x 24.879 = 14.93   Total  296.77  (so 148.39/month)

fyi - I've replied to Eon's email about the increase and said no.  But I'm not expecting them to come back with anything reasonable as they don't know all the circumstances yet.  And I know this is a "how long is a piece of string" thing but this is for a 3 bedroom bungalow, 2 adults, no pets, no extreme hobbies other than the OH's need for the best stereo sound.

Alnat1

You seem to be good at budgeting and have money saved to cover bills. Ask if you can change to VARIABLE DD to pay. At the moment you're on FIXED DD and pay a set amount each month which hopefully is balanced out over the year..

With VARIABLE you give a meter reading each month, a bill is produced and around 14 days later your company take a DD for the exact amount of your bill. You don't build up debit/credit, you pay each month for what you have used.

[Deleted User]

I'd also suggest to the OP that you clear the debit balance first (by making debit card payment(s) to your account) to zeroise your account if you intend changing to paying the bill amount via VARIABLE DD.  Otherwise Eon (or are you now with Eon Next?) may take a first DD of  £500+ to zeroise the account.   

Brie

@Alnat1
Thanks for the suggestion.  I'll check if it would change my tariff as I don't want to lose it any sooner than necessary.

@[Deleted User]
And another good suggestion.  Although in practice using the debit care or the DD to clear it isn't much different.  Fortunately this is happening at a time when there is some ££ to throw around.

Brie

Well I was just contemplating ringing Sainsburys/eon to chat about the ridiculous raise and get them to sort it out.  And then I thought - I'm just going to check if I can change it online.  And I could!  So I've put it back down to £120 a month and have taken a screen shot of the fact.  We'll see if they come back to me any time soon.

MWT

Brie said:

Well I was just contemplating ringing Sainsburys/eon to chat about the ridiculous raise and get them to sort it out.  And then I thought - I'm just going to check if I can change it online.  And I could!  So I've put it back down to £120 a month and have taken a screen shot of the fact.  We'll see if they come back to me any time soon.

I would not rest there though, take care of the debt so that motivation is off the table and then ask them about changing to variable direct debit so you will only pay for what you've used each month.

I wouldn't just change the DD and wait for their next move...

Brie

MWT said:

I would not rest there though, take care of the debt so that motivation is off the table and then ask them about changing to variable direct debit so you will only pay for what you've used each month.

I wouldn't just change the DD and wait for their next move...

As luck would have it as soon as I changed the DD back to £120 I received an email from them explaining that the increase was due to my annual usage (it wasn't, it was based on 12 x February use) and my current DD isn't keeping pace with my current usage (my DD is double our current usage) and besides they like to ensure people are an extra 2 weeks ahead just in case (not interested - why have my money in their pocket?).  The only thing I didn't disagree with is that the account is currently in debt.

So I might ping something to them to ask if I can change to a variable DD based on current use and still keep my current tariff.

pochase

Variable direct debit has nothing to do with your tariff. It is another form of direct debit and you will keep your unit rates.

Just be aware that some suppliers will immediately take all outstanding debt the moment you go onto variable direct debit.