Direct Debit Abuse

Raxiel

[Deleted User] said:

70sbudgie said:

I am with Octopus and I have noticed that although they seem to use the same calculation for a DD value, I have had no issue with setting my own DD value - which takes into account variables that the general calculation doesn't - like income from PV and energy efficiencies that have a significant effect (my gas usage has a year on year reduction of between 500kWhrs and 1000kWhrs so the DD calculation is always at least a year or two behind)

Octopus updates the annual estimate on every monthly bill based on what has been consumed from the Grid. In that regard, it does take into account consumer energy efficiencies and solar output. Yes, you are correct in saying that the calculations are always done looking in the rear view mirror: Kraken has yet to be given psychic powers.

They do adjust it, yes, although it's still pretty conservative. Reasonable given that most people only make incremental changes, rather than dramatic ones over long periods, - you wouldn't want the big drop in usage while you went on holiday for a week or two extrapolated over the whole year after all. Its not necessarily a bad thing if you want to avoid bill shock either.

My balance at the end of October was about £250, over the winter it's grown to a little over £1k, with me following the balance forecast for most of it. Not a criticism of Octopus, this was our first winter with our new insulation and it's exceeded even my most optimistic predictions, so I just went along with their guesses. At least until now with the weather starting to turn.

It's just nice that Octopus will let me set my own DD informed by my personal knowledge of my circumstances, rather than imposing one based on the output of a generic algorithm.

Mobtr

Robindesbois said:

Energy Nightmares. The summer before the onset of the pandemic our imperial gas meter was changed for a metric one. By the November Bristol Energy went into administration the ombudsman failed to resolve the problem of the meter change. Meanwhile I had created a spreadsheet recording every aspect of consumption and billing which revealed that the direct debit  of £169.00 imposed by Bristol Energy exceeded the required amount of £105.00 The first of December I cancelled the direct debit and was still in credit by the time British Gas took over as our energy supplier (No choice). Subsequently I decided to pay three monthly by debit card because I can no longer trust energy suppliers. Why can't I make monthly payments by standing order without losing the discount offered for direct debit payments? Is it because British Gas in particular simply want to dip their hands in my pocket with impunity? I guess that most people probably don't get it.

You’ve mentioned an ombudsman complaint which has failed to be resolved. What was it? Did the meter not update on your account with Bristol & BG were given your old meter details so the wrong meter is still on your account?