Ovo mid term fixed price rise

AnotherConfusedPerson

Hi, I’m on a 2 year fixed tariff with Ovo for gas and electric.  It ends Feb 2024.  

I pay £90 pm.  They’ve just told me it’s going up to £250 pm.
Can they do that during a fixed contract?

My consumption is very low.  I haven’t even used my washing machine since it broke last Christmas!  

Thanks 

TheMilkmansDad

Yes. The DD is not the bill. Sounds like the current DD is not covering the usage. 

When was you last bill generated and was it based on actual or estimate reads?

AnotherConfusedPerson

Thanks for replying.

They based it on estimates.  I have submitted readings to them but they don’t have records.  I’ll phone with readings in future.
On their website the fixed tariff is described in a way that sounds like you’ll have peace of mind because the monthly outgoing is fixed.  I didn’t think the direct debit would increase if I’m not using more energy.

I can see from the diagrams on the bill that my usage has dropped.  

Ayr_Rage

The tariff (unit rates and standing charges) is fixed but the DD is variable and changes according to your actual usage.

Paying a fixed amount is not an all you can use energy buffet.

MeteredOut

If you post your kWh usage over the period, and the rates you're on, you'll be able to get help on whether the £250 is correct.

Have you check if your fixed rate is now greater that the standard variable rate and whether it might be better to come off it, even if there are exit fees?

Scot_39

The rise seems a little excessive - but without details of usage - and old rates vs current - difficult to say.

But arguably a new DD at annual review will typically last a year with some suppliers (but  EOnNext redone my annualised DD at both recent cap changes as in credit ) - and likelihood is they will have assumed current SVT rates for the 5-6 months for Feb to July 24  - easily double 2 years ago.

Estimated bills are never your friend.  They go wrong both ways.  Under and over billing.

Scot_39

AnotherConfusedPerson said:

Thanks for replying.

They based it on estimates.  I have submitted readings to them but they don’t have records.  I’ll phone with readings in future.
On their website the fixed tariff is described in a way that sounds like you’ll have peace of mind because the monthly outgoing is fixed.  I didn’t think the direct debit would increase if I’m not using more energy.

I can see from the diagrams on the bill that my usage has dropped.  

They must have past readings at some point.

When was your last actual physical meter reading ?

The last bill based on an an actual reading ?


Fixed tariffs are not fixed DD - despite how you read the offer - unless usage constant - they arent even always fixed SC and unit rates (was it Octopus ? who labelled a cap tracker as a fix ?).

Even if they are - use more you pay more.


You need to try and get a reference consumption per fuel or day/night if on multirate electric.

And see if £90 was actually covering current use on fix - or if that £250 includes some underpayment.

Not using one item that might use a few kWh weekly doesn't guarantee a saving.

AnotherConfusedPerson

Thank you all so much for replying.
They’ve used estimates.  I sent readings on 9th March and 30th June.
I do wonder if some readings prior to that have gone missing, thought I’d sent more, but also thought with a fixed tariff the charge would be the same each month unless i started using more than usual.
It’s the gas that doesn’t make sense.

Apr-May 2023: estimate 389kWh
For comparison last year you used 114kWh

Mar-Apr 2023: estimate 602kWh
For comparison last year you used 292kWh

Feb-Mar 2023: estimate 633kWh
For comparison last year you used 397kWh

I realise I’m not very clued up, but to me this looks like they’re pushing it.

Re tariffs, I phoned and asked if there was a cheaper one and I’m already on the cheapest.

After some discussion the call handler said ‘So you consent to the monthly increase to £250?’. I said do I have a choice?  She said No.
Then I got an email confirming my consent to the price increase.

AnotherConfusedPerson

Oh, also meant to say I’m definitely not using more gas.

TheMilkmansDad

AnotherConfusedPerson said:

Thank you all so much for replying.
They’ve used estimates.  I sent readings on 9th March and 30th June.
I do wonder if some readings prior to that have gone missing, thought I’d sent more, but also thought with a fixed tariff the charge would be the same each month unless i started using more than usual.
It’s the gas that doesn’t make sense.

Apr-May 2023: estimate 389kWh
For comparison last year you used 114kWh

Mar-Apr 2023: estimate 602kWh
For comparison last year you used 292kWh

Feb-Mar 2023: estimate 633kWh
For comparison last year you used 397kWh

I realise I’m not very clued up, but to me this looks like they’re pushing it.

Re tariffs, I phoned and asked if there was a cheaper one and I’m already on the cheapest.

After some discussion the call handler said ‘So you consent to the monthly increase to £250?’. I said do I have a choice?  She said No.
Then I got an email confirming my consent to the price increase.

You need to have them raise a bill using your actual meter reads - is there a reason they are not accepting them?

You should not accept the new DD until a correct bill has been issued. At that point you/they will have a more accurate picture of what you DD should be.

QrizB

AnotherConfusedPerson said:

They’ve used estimates.  I sent readings on 9th March and 30th June.

What were the estimated meter readings on your April bill?

What were the meter readings you supplied in March and June?

And what does your meter read today?

With this info we can help you judge how accurate their estimates are.