Warning about EDF, they can not be trusted.

opalspark

EDF have a online method to reduce direct debits, if you are paying too much.

Their system calculates the correct amount based on usage over the last year and the credit already in the account.
Sounds to be to be true doesn't it, well it is.

Their system refuses to accept a value, which reduces your direct debit by more than 20%.

They also ignore emails, requesting a refund of credit.

So their system knows my direct debit is way too high, but their system also refuses to reduce the direct debit to the correct amount.

I think this is fraud and dishonest.

John

Gerry1

Just switch to Monthly Variable Direct Debit but remember that winter bills will be higher than summer.

MeteredOut

Phone them up (but be prepared to wait to get through) - their contact centre staff can reduce the amount to below the value the online system restricts you to.

If you have a credit balance (as your post implies) you might be better off to ask for a credit back, but keep your DD the same.

It's not fraud and dishonesty - it's simply ineptitude.

Robin9

opalspark said:

EDF have a online method to reduce direct debits, if you are paying too much.

Their system calculates the correct amount based on usage over the last year and the credit already in the account.
Sounds to be to be true doesn't it, well it is.

Their system refuses to accept a value, which reduces your direct debit by more than 20%.

They also ignore emails, requesting a refund of credit.

So their system knows my direct debit is way too high, but their system also refuses to reduce the direct debit to the correct amount.

I think this is fraud and dishonest.

John

Let the system accept your suggested reduction  of 20% -  may take a day or so. Then repeat the exercise.

dunstonh

They also ignore emails, requesting a refund of credit.

Requesting a refund of credit at this time of year would be unusual.

EDF have a online method to reduce direct debits, if you are paying too much.

Is that the old EDF billing or the new EDF billing (account numbers starting A-)?

Their system calculates the correct amount based on usage over the last year and the credit already in the account.
Sounds to be to be true doesn't it, well it is.

Are you sure?
Using the last years usage would be very unreliable.   2022 was hot drought year and winter 2023 was milder for most people.   On average energy use was around 20% lower than median.       Typically, energy suppliers use the median or similar in their modelling.

So their system knows my direct debit is way too high, but their system also refuses to reduce the direct debit to the correct amount.
I think this is fraud and dishonest.

It is not dishonest.  Its just limitations in their software.
Although given the number of people who come on here moaning about getting a refund only to find out that they dont have credit, or as much as they think, or are using bad figures in their modelling, it could easily be the user that is wrong.
e.g. the old EDF billing method would stack up the monthly payments but not deduct the actual use until a bill was generated.  That would make it appear like there was a big credit balance when there wasnt.   The new billing system from EDF bills monthly. So, the days of the computer showing a high credit balance incorrectly are numbered.