Reduce direct debit or ask for refund

ariarnia

dunstonh said:

My question is what best thing to do? 

You make a case using your historic use over the period from now to May and how that shows you have excess credit and can justify a refund of £x

However, do remember that energy use is around 20% down on a typical year due to the mild weather.   So, whilst a refund may be suitable for this year, a reduction in the monthly payment may not be suitable for next year.

adding to this. if you work out your yearly use (you can use 2 meter readings about 12 months apart) and add a bit (10-20%) for the mild weather or whatever as a cusion. we have never had a problem if we have asked for our dd to be set to 1/12 of that yearly use with a full refund of any credit.

some companies want you to leave 3 months worth of dd in your account 'just in case' but if that's the case then i'd take away the 10-20% and argue they cant have both. 

ariarnia

kurtvonn said:

Hey Brock - how many providers will allow you t switch to variable dd? I thought their game these days was to build up your credit in the warmer months? I'm just coming off a fix with Eon and have 6-7 months of very low gas usage in front of me - how easy would it be for me to get those months on a much lower than the winter months next winter?

the thing you need to remember with variable dd is that you have no grace period to pay the bill when due. so you might need to find £40 in july and £300 in december or jan. 

i'd recomend if you do swap to variable you work out your average use and what your monthly dd payment should be then put that amount in a savings account. so you build up your own credit bank to cover the winter bill (unless you no you have no problems finding large irregular amounts of money at 10/14 days notice)