D/D or monthly bill ?

I increased our DD to try and cover any increases as I didn’t want any nasty shocks. Some Grans said I was silly to do it but I had made my mind up. Now I’m glad, I have enough credit to cover the bill due in a few weeks and hopefully no big rise after the December review.

I realise that doesn’t help you Maw and I’m sorry you find yourself in an even worse position. I hope they have overestimated and your DD is reduced again.

I pay British Gas monthly by variable DD settling the exact amount of the bill each month, gas and electricity. No big credits or debits to worry about and the money stays in my bank.
The kWh tariff and standing charge are both less than the standard variable tariff too.
The £66 x 2 have both been credited to the account. Perfect scenario in my opinion.

Gosh, Maw, don't they make it complicated? A friend has had a similar experience and she isn't with Scottish Power. We are, but pay quarterly, having given up most direct debits when we moved here many years ago because we didn't have a regular income at the time (so couldn't be sure there'd be enough money in the bank account!). I'm still not sure what happens about our £66...

Martin Lewis has always said that paying by DD is the most cost effective way of paying, probably meaning the standing charge and other stuff also.

I’m sure though that you don’t have to raise it as much as they want you to?
I’m with OVO and the last time they wanted me to raise the amount of DD I raised it a bit but not as much as they said.

I’m still in Credit, but I’m preparing for that to slowly diminish.

I’d get some dogs for the bed, but I doubt they would work out any cheaper 🤗

Can you not pay a variable DD? This is what I do...I have a smart meter.....the 67 is deducted from my dual fuel bill each month ....do last month my bill was £57 ....it willbe slightly more this next month

It just shows what a bunch of robber barons these people are! I am nearly £1000 in credit. I am just waiting to get the rest of the government money then I am cancelling the direct debit. They have had enough of my money.

I would really prefer to pay my actual consumption monthly but I am aware that the dd route is cheaper. Don't know why that should be but, unfortunately, I don't make the rules and..... I'm mean enough to comply.

Kim19 I pay BG the exact consumption monthly by DD and get a 5% discount.

Thanks NaG, I will pursue this with vigour. Appreciated.

I'm £637 in credit with OVO and pay £265 a month in direct debit. My bills since the beginning of May have been between £80 and £90. At one stage I was over £800 in credit.

I rang then up and asked for a refund. Apparently, they want me to keep a cushion of three months, which they calculate by multiplying my direct debit by three - £795.

Over the last two months I've had two refunds - £75 and £160 (in addition to the government money). When I asked about reducing my direct debit, so I don't have to request a refund each month, I was told the same as you Maw.

I did wonder what would happen if I just stopped all payments until I've used up all my credit, but I'm too much of a coward to find out.

Every single year EDF overestimates our usage. When I put in my meter readings they tell it can't be right! But it is. Oh well. I'm glad I fixed until next March. Goodness knows what'll happen then.

Ovo pay 3% interest on any positive balance rising to 5% if you stay with them for 3 years. This is better than most savings accounts.
If you pay the same amount every month you'll build up credit in the Summer and use it in the winter. Credit balances look high this year because the price has more than doubled since last year.

I pay EDF the amount I have used each month . They wanted to increase my DD to £280 which was ludicrous as I was in credit by £350. So I stopped the DD. With the £66 each month going into my EDF account directly, so far I have had to pay just £56 each month . My heating and thermostat is on at 19 all day, I’m not cold , and put a blanket over me in the evenings when watching TV . I think these fuel companies are taking far too much as DD to line their pockets. Not sure if the extra amount this winter ( apart from the pension fuel allowance) is paid directly into our fuel account anyone know ?

I’m on a fixed rate with OVO until next October. I already pay enough to maintain a credit balance but they’ve just put my DD up £50 a month because apparently I’ll be £500 in debt when my rate changes if I don’t start paying more. 🤔

Pittcity

Ovo pay 3% interest on any positive balance rising to 5% if you stay with them for 3 years. This is better than most savings accounts.
If you pay the same amount every month you'll build up credit in the Summer and use it in the winter. Credit balances look high this year because the price has more than doubled since last year.

I have a feeling that's stopped now.

Susie My two £66 payments have been paid into my bank account.

Thank you for your comments- while I am sorry many of you seem to be in the same boat, I nevertheless feel less “victimised” and on my own faced with the big guys.
I might be able to switch supplier but I get my solar panels feed in tariff also from Scottish Power and I am scared of jeopardising that.
Just have to suck it up I fear.

Maw why don’t you sign up for monthly variable DD ?

I left Scottish Power and got a much better deal from EDF. Of course that was before all this recent energy crisis.
Why not phone and enquire? I might be worth it. I sometimes think these big companies count on not having their charges queried.

We have been away for two months. Our August to October bill with British Gas was £40 after the credit of £66 for the month of October. We do not pay by direct debit just quarterly.

SusieB50 ours is paid into the energy account, I can check online on my account and the app.

SusieB50 if you are referring to the annual ‘ Winter Fuel Payment ‘ and the one-off additional ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’ they will be paid directly to your bank account.

NotAGran55, like you, I pay British Gas monthly (£30 standing order, but only in the winter, then, usually, a top up if needed) and my £66 goes straight into my account. Right now, they owe me but I think maybe different suppliers do things their own way.