EDF fixed tariff - price increase during term

fnjoe

We have a fixed tariff with EDF to end August. The tariff details state 'no price increases during the term' yet EDF have just increased our Direct Debit by nearly 100% from 1st April.  While I understand that EDF have recalculated what our likely bill will be for the next year to reach this figure (and that I may well have to pay even more from September if I stick with EDF) I don't see why I should at least have the option of sticking to the contracted amount until the end of August.  Anyone else have this problem?

GingerTim

Remember that it isn't your direct debit which is fixed for the period of your tariff, but your unit price and standing charge - if you use more then your payments will have to increase. If you post your actual use in kwh over the last twelve months some helpful person here will be able to give you an idea of what the monthly direct debit should be.

Robin9

fnjoe - has EDF just completed its 6 monthly review ?    CAn you give us some kWh figures please and confirm that the readings are all actual and not estimated.

EssexHebridean

The agreement you have with EDF is that your unit rate and standing charge remain the same until the end of the fix period - the DD will have been worked out on the basis that you would be likely to use a certain amount. If you have used twice that amount then it would be expected that the DD amount would increase. Had you used half the expected amount, it would have been expected that it would have decreased. 

As Robin says - let us have a note of your readings now, and from a year ago, along with your unit rate and SC and someone will tot up what they would expect your DD to need to be. 

[Deleted User]

As others have pointed out, the only things that are underpinned by your contract are the tariff rates and the duration of any fixed term. The amount you pay per month is just an estimate based on an assessment of annual usage in kWh/year.

Suppliers have the right to vary monthly DD payments: equally, consumers have the right to challenge any change. A challenge will only prove to be successful if the consumer has looked carefully at annual consumption; any credit/debit balance and future prices. The supplier will also want to set a monthly payment that will take the consumer through the next winter: this usually means that there needs to be a credit balance if some £00s by September.