EDF direct debit raising from £165 to £304 even though I'm in credit - seems excessive

victor2

paul19011973 said:

....
We instigated energy saving measures such as using very cheap electric panel heaters so the central heating has not been used very much so that could partially explain the low gas usage.

...

That's not going to be money saving though, as heating by electricity is a LOT more expensive than gas.

paul19011973

Robin9 said:

Have you the actual readings March 22 and Feb 23 please ?

Elec sounds right but gas is very low - more typically 12,000

It's a smart meter and looking at my edf account I can't see a record of the meter readings.

There is a facility to check the status of the smart meter and it is reporting that it is communicating correctly so estimated readings are not being used.

EssexHebridean

You’ve done the sums - but remember to take account of the standing charges too - so you know where it seems that the DD needs to be set. Personally I’d be inclined to add a bit extra on for contingency - maybe 10% - because this has been a relatively mild winter (so far, at least).  

Suppliers have a duty to ensure that Direct Debits are reasonable - so when you call them up, tell them that you think that the amount they are asking for is unreasonable allowing for your actual annual use, that you have worked out that a reasonable Direct Debit would be £XXX - then see what they say. If they try to insist, then tell them they cannot justify the figure that they are asking for, particularly in light of the expectation that prices are expected to fall later in the year, and ask that it is escalated to be reconsidered, but that in the meantime you will accept an increase to £XXX but no higher. Maybe have a figure in mind that you are prepared to compromise on though as that may be easier than trying to fight for exactly what you have calculated. 

A further option at this time of year, and allowing that you have calculated what you think your payments should be, would be to ask to be changed to “whole amount monthly” DD where you pay for precisely what you’ve used each month. You do need to ensure you keep a very close eye on your use to make sure it matches your expectation though, and also be sure to put aside the extra through the warmer months to cover the colder ones. 

Let us know how you go, whatever you decide to do! 

paul19011973

victor2 said:

paul19011973 said:

....
We instigated energy saving measures such as using very cheap electric panel heaters so the central heating has not been used very much so that could partially explain the low gas usage.

...

That's not going to be money saving though, as heating by electricity is a LOT more expensive than gas.

The panel heaters are 400w and cost about 6p per-hour to run

GingerTim

paul19011973 said:

victor2 said:

paul19011973 said:

....
We instigated energy saving measures such as using very cheap electric panel heaters so the central heating has not been used very much so that could partially explain the low gas usage.

...

That's not going to be money saving though, as heating by electricity is a LOT more expensive than gas.

The panel heaters are 400w and cost about 6p per-hour to run

Assuming 34p/kwh of electricity:

400/1000 = 0.4, then 0.4 x 0.34 = 0.136

i.e c. 14p/hour

dunstonh

I've checked my usage in kwh on the edf energy hub and I've got the following figures for the period March 2022 - February 2023:
Electricity - 3201 kwh / £1,095
Gas - 2,900 kwh / £352
Overall Cost - £1447

From the above I find EDF's estimate of my energy usage for the six month period of March 2023 - September 2023 of £1,984 to be excessive as it is £500 more than the 12 month period of March 2022 - February 2023.

Getting the actual figures is much more useful.  

However, we need to note that the period of March 2022 to February 2023 was a drought year and much milder over the majority of the year.   So, you should add around 20% to your heating to get closer to the average.  
i.e. 3480 kWh for Gas.
Then you should use April's tariff.  We don't have the actual suppliers published details yet but we do have an indication of the expected figures.
And finally, don't forget the standing charge.

With all that in mind, I think you will find that they are not far off what your use could be.    Plus, you could be in shortfall by the time May comes around (May is the month when you stop using the previous years built up credit and start to build up new credit going forward).

molerat

paul19011973 said:

victor2 said:

What is EDF's estimate for March to September in kWh for each fuel?
If that is reasonable, then you can look into the rates they are using to arrive at the cost estimate.

EDF didn't give me an estimate in kwh for each fuel - only a monetary value.

There should be an "About your tariff" which gives the tariff name and your annual consumption estimate.

paul19011973

Thanks all for your thoughts, insights and suggestions.  I've done some research and I'm going to call EDF and look to change my payment from standard direct debit to 'direct debit exact amount'.  This will mean higher amounts during colder periods and lower amounts during warmer periods but I'm happy doing this as I have a working smart meter and I'm happy to provide meter readings if required.  It also has the advantage that I will receive a monthly bill rather than the twice-yearly bill that I currently receive which I've never particularly liked.

EssexHebridean

Ask for it as "Direct Debit Whole Amount" Paul as that is what they refer to it as - in my experience unless you get it worded absolutely right some of the CS operatives can be a little inclined to pretend to not know what you are talking about!