How are you managing energy direct debits?

No action on DD yet. I'm on a 2 year fix until 31 Oct.

I will leave my reduction as it is and then the extra money I would have spent will stay in my bills account to cover any bill when gov help is finished.

We are with Brit.Gas. we're an all electric house. Our DD is £220 and we have a £600 credit balance, at one point it was over £1000. I have asked for a refund twice, but BG refused saying that we won't be able to cover the energy we'll use over the winter. But when I look at our account it tells me I'm paying too much! So I reduced our DD payment and BG immediately increased it again! TBH I can't be bothered with faffing about with it all or changing suppliers, so we'll leave it alone and see what happens after the winter. If they gave us a refund from the credit we'd probably only spend it on something else.

My DD has increased to £291 pm. What does Account Balance mean? I have £690 showing. Does it mean I owe them that or I am in credit by that? No point ringing them -

I had a letter from ovo energy stating they are putting my d/d up each month to £144. I rang them and pointed out my account is £600 in credit. They wouldn’t budge on the new d/d so I’ve asked for my £600 to be repaid. That’s fine they said!!! I wouldn’t advise anyone to let a big credit build up on their energy accu

I seem to be on a different planet. Are Scottish power just behind??? I have just sent them my meter readings...they put up my monthly Dual fuel DD's from £177 to 233 and now say that is not enough...
Your current balance is £822.26 in credit
Your estimated annual cost is £3019.22 [1]|
You currently pay £233.14 per month Current Direct Debit
£233.14
Recommended Direct Debit
£241.00

I'm in a one-bedroom semi-detached bungalow. I pay a combined charge for electricity and gas with UW, and used to pay £118, but that has gone up to £181. It is due to go up again on Saturday, so reminding everyone to get their meter readings sent in asap so they don't just 'predict' your costs.

I too am with Octopus. They are the easiest company to work with, my direct debit is still at £25 pm as I have been in credit since the home warm discount last year. Once the £400 has been added (6 months time) we'll review the situation.

I'm with OVO and my DD has increased from £87 to £141 even though I'm on a Fixed rate plan and £300 in credit with them. I'll keep paying the higher amount as there's interest on the credit that's built up

I got prepaid meters in for my gas and electric as I've so many direct debits going out every month for other things. My gas is going up again on Sat by 29% so I'm glad I put a lot on my meter just before the summer as it's gone up by 80% since then.

We have a slightly different system here, but I am certainly not intending transferring less money a month to the account our direct debits are paid from, even if the individual bills go down, as I suspect they will shortly rise again!

The same thing has happened to me with Octopus for a house with only occasional occupation. I think they've probably got it right in the case of our house, but it's odd that our DDs are also reduced to £33! Personally I would have thought that's a little low if you live there all the time.

I will never build up a big credit again having, despite all the guarantees, lost £300 when our previous supplier went bust.

My first move was to change to Octopus from Ovo. Much better. I now feel safer and sleep better. They keep me well informed. Trust is important to me.

We are with Eon Next. We used to pay £350, monthly DD and earlier this year they attempted to 'ask' for over £600 per month. We refused, saying that we were willing to pay £450 per month and pay any shortfall should it occur.
Now, they've 'asked' for £813 per month and we have raised a complaint. We have explained that attempting to take such a large amount may result in a failed DD with all the negative consequences. If they insist on trying to take the large amount, we will cancel the DD, set up a Standing Order and pay any shortfall, should it occur, when it occurs.
Frankly I don't see why they should benefit from using the money of customers who are in credit (which we currently are) when we could put aside that sum, gaining some interest, until the time comes to settle the bill.
Having a monthly DD to 'avoid unexpected bills' in their words, is a con.

Without the media 'frenzy' there would have been no government help - Sunak's original plan was to give a £200 loan.

We're with Ovo and they pay you 5% interest on any overpayments you might have. Better than money in the bank!

We’re with Scottish Power. Himself has just taken our meter reading from the communal area cupboard on the ground floor. He took one 9 days ago as a comparison and in that time we’ve used 75kW. We live in a small apartment, haven’t needed any heating on yet but whether one lives in a large house or a small apartment the kettle goes on, the washing machine, daily showers, the television, the broadband router, a fridge etc.

I know he’ll be doing his sums later .... ?

The general consensus on here though seems to be - with government assistance via capping - “things ain’t too bad”. Perhaps the media have whipped this topic up into a frenzy?

We, too, are with Octopus, whom we are pretty happy with. They are good at keeping us informed and we have had the email today re the subsidy. We have also been overpaying on our DD and are considerably in credit. But happy to leave it as a cushion to get us through winter. If, at the end of winter, we are still in credit then we will either lower our DD or request a rebate.

I’m on eon I pay 120 a month now used to be 70 anything government give me I’ve being adding it to my account yes I’m in credit by nearly 350 but they will send it back in future if I’m in credit but I’d rather be in credit at these scary bill times

Pittcity

We're with Ovo and they are keeping the Direct Debits the same and refunding the discount to our Bank Account. We have been emailed to say to expect the first payment within 10 days.

Yes - we’re the same. Though I note that each months’ discount will be refunded to our bank account after they’ve received that month’s payment via direct debit.

I spoke to my 85 year old aunt today, she cannot cope with on-line banking, and pays her bill at the bank when she receives it.

She won't activate her POA so I can help her. She is with British Gas who seem to have quoted her usage as quite high at £1800 for a small one bed flat, she doesn't know where to look for the unit costs. She gets very flustered when I try to talk to her about it, hopefully her lovely neighbour will see her for a cuppa soon and explain it all again.

I’m not giving Shell an interest free loan. The money will stay in my account, not theirs.

Exactly Callistemon, it is what we have been doing for years. For the reasons so neatly presented by NotAGran65

If interest rates are going up, why not open a separate building society or bank account which pays interest so that the money is available if your bill is unexpectedly high? You could keep the direct debit at the amount Octopus suggests.
Why increase your DD and let Octopus hold your surplus money?