Misunderstood or been Misled by EDF, advice please.

MWT

Gerry1 said:

How about 'Fixed DD' becoming 'Equal DD' or 'Smoothed DD'?  Similarly  'Variable DD' could become 'Whole Bill DD'.

Some of the US suppliers use the term 'Level Billing' and that is fixed billing with a note each month showing the position against the actual consumption to show if you are on track or the over/under which has to be settled every 12 months.

pseudodox

Gerry1 said:

If dozy Ofgem were any good they'd have banned the terms 'Fixed Direct Debit' and ' Variable Direct Debit' because they are often confused with fixed and variable tariffs.

FDDs caused confusion long before the energy crisis because tariffs were never All You Can Eat, and it's even worse now with almost everyone on a capped tariff that's reviewed every three months.

Ofgem should standardise on two clear terms for DDs, as well as mandating that DDs must be monthly and that both flavours must be offered.

How about 'Fixed DD' becoming 'Equal DD' or 'Smoothed DD'?  Similarly  'Variable DD' could become 'Whole Bill DD'.

Totally agree.

I am with EDF and on my account my tariff is named Direct Debit Whole Amount (Monthly).  Since moving to them last October there have been zilch hiccups in my account or transactions.  I submit readings each month on the app, they bill me next day online and 2 weeks later take the exact amount by DD from my bank.  I am keeping a pot of money aside for the bigger winter bills & earning a bit of interest (should get even better after the bank rate rises again today) and at the mo am enjoying the prospect of very low summer gas bills (apart from s/c) as heating is now off. With all the generous payments of EBSS, C Tax rebate & WFA towards my bills since last October energy to date has cost me minus £21 from my actual income.

debitcardmayhem

I prefer a “fixed dd towards account” or “we think you’ll swallow this and then fight for a refund”

[Deleted User]

debitcardmayhem said:

I prefer a “fixed dd towards account” or “we think you’ll swallow this and then fight for a refund”

The word Fixed in energy terms refers to the type of contract not the billing method: ie, fixed in the context of fixed term. Provided appropriate notice is given, the supplier can change the monthly DD amount. 

We can all come up with alternative descriptors but I suspect that many people would still end up confused.