Trying to get a reduction in DD with EDF. Best way forward?

MikeJXE

EssexHebridean said 

So, 8 weeks from the point that you sent a formal complaint, if they have not responded, you go to the Ombudsman. It’s entirely irrelevant whether the energy supplier have “taken notice”, indeed, it can be more straightforward, so long as you have followed process, if they have not. 

Because I am leaving this property it's not worth my time and effort to argue with someone who takes no notice, they have the same facts as I do regarding my historical usage, they can do the maths just as I can if they wanted to. They would also be aware comparing 2021 and 2022 my Electricity usage is 14% down and Gas is 16% down, By tomorrow the date of my next DD I will be in credit by £275, had they left my DD as it was I would be in credit by £124. Facts, something they are not interested in. 

[Deleted User]

MikeJXE said:

EssexHebridean said 

So, 8 weeks from the point that you sent a formal complaint, if they have not responded, you go to the Ombudsman. It’s entirely irrelevant whether the energy supplier have “taken notice”, indeed, it can be more straightforward, so long as you have followed process, if they have not. 

Because I am leaving this property it's not worth my time and effort to argue with someone who takes no notice, they have the same facts as I do regarding my historical usage, they can do the maths just as I can if they wanted to. They would also be aware comparing 2021 and 2022 my Electricity usage is 14% down and Gas is 16% down, By tomorrow the date of my next DD I will be in credit by £275, had they left my DD as it was I would be in credit by £124. Facts, something they are not interested in. 

The Met Office is reporting that 2022 was the warmest year since records began. A credit balance of £275 at the start of January with 4 months of Winter to follow is hardly significant given the increase in energy prices of the past 15 months. A basket of energy which cost a £1000 in September would cost you £2500 today. 

I get it that consumers do not want to pay what they think are inflated DD payments but, at the moment, suppliers are between a rock and a hard place.

Mobtr

I’m with EDF, they increased my direct debit in November from £170 to £224 on my interim review & I thought I’m never going to use that much. I was about £200 in credit. Now it’s the end of December & eventhough I’m on a fixed tariff at roughly 27p electric & 7p gas I have indeed used well over £200 worth of energy this month & that’s with only having the heating on minimally, some days not at all as we all have those big oodie things we wear. 

This time last year I had my hot water on for about 4 hours a day, now it’s 1hour & heating on timed for about 5 hours + the odd extra and was only paying £100 per month. 

I think people forget that last year the prices were probably less than half what they are now but they still want to pay the same in direct debit. I don’t mind if I’m paying more than I need up to my annual review in the late Spring as I know I’ll get it back when they review it, spending money for my hols

MikeJXE

Mobtr said:

I’m with EDF, they increased my direct debit in November from £170 to £224 on my interim review & I thought I’m never going to use that much. I was about £200 in credit. Now it’s the end of December & eventhough I’m on a fixed tariff at roughly 27p electric & 7p gas I have indeed used well over £200 worth of energy this month & that’s with only having the heating on minimally, some days not at all as we all have those big oodie things we wear. 

This time last year I had my hot water on for about 4 hours a day, now it’s 1hour & heating on timed for about 5 hours + the odd extra and was only paying £100 per month. 

I think people forget that last year the prices were probably less than half what they are now but they still want to pay the same in direct debit. I don’t mind if I’m paying more than I need up to my annual review in the late Spring as I know I’ll get it back when they review it, spending money for my hols

I haven't forgot what prices were last year when I was paying £50 DD and always in credit and it's not that I don't want to pay. What I do want is to pay what I use when I use it, whole bill monthly but OVO don't allow that. 

The Met Office is reporting that 2022 was the warmest year since records began. A credit balance of £275 at the start of January with 4 months of Winter to follow is hardly significant given the increase in energy prices of the past 15 months. A basket of energy which cost a £1000 in September would cost you £2500 today. 

The met office might say next Christmas 2023 is the warmest on record, we don't know and I am dealing in facts not fantacy. A credit balance of £275 in January doesn't have to last 4 months as £125 is added every month. 

`The fact is when I leave in February OVO will owe me not me owe them 

pseudodox

If you are on a whole bill amount DD with EDF they do set a default DD amount which they will take if you have not submitted readings when requested for accurate billing.  I was a bit suprised to find on receipt of my recent bill, due to be paid next week, they have shown in my account details that they have now reduced the nominal FDD.  Seems they have taken on board that my use since October has been lower than they estimated  This was an estimate my own projections agreed with but with extra efforts and care I have managed to cut my consumption of gas.  Very pleased to see my efforts recognised.