Energy
Energy Direct Debit Too High? What to Check and What to Do
Your supplier sets your direct debit from an estimate of your use over the year at current prices. If it is too high, give an up-to-date meter reading and ask the supplier to recalculate it; you can also ask for any credit to be refunded.
- Start with a meter reading
- Ask for credit back
- Energy Ombudsman after 8 weeks
Wisemium reads your tariff and prices for you to confirm, and compares your payment with Ofgem’s typical figure.
Your energy account
- Meter reading
- Actual, today
- Account balance
- In credit or debit
- Direct debit
- Worth a review
Example. Your own details appear once you add them.
Before you call your supplier
0 of 7 done
Your evidence
What to ask
Nothing you tick here is saved. Add your bill to Wisemium and your tariff and its end date are kept on record.
The full guide
Your supplier sets your direct debit by estimating what you will use over the next year at your current prices, then spreading it into equal monthly payments. If the estimate, the prices or your balance are out of date, the payment can be too high, or too low and leave you in debt.
Why it can be wrong
- Estimated readings. Without recent actual readings, the supplier guesses your use.
- Price changes. Tariffs on the price cap change every three months, and a fixed tariff ending changes your rates.
- Your use changed. Someone moved out, you work from home, a new appliance.
- Your balance. Credit or debt on the account is often spread into the new payment.
A payment that builds credit over summer is normal: equal payments over the year cover higher use in winter. Credit that keeps growing into winter may mean the payment is set too high.
What to check
- Meter readings. Give an actual reading today, with a dated photo. A smart meter should send them, but check it does.
- Your tariff. The unit rates and standing charges on your latest bill.
- Your balance. Whether the account is in credit or debit, and by how much.
- Your annual use. The kWh estimate on your bill, against your own past bills.
How to ask for a review
Give your supplier an up-to-date reading and ask it to recalculate the direct debit on that reading and your current tariff. Ofgem requires suppliers to set direct debits fairly, from the best information they have, and to take account of what you tell them. If you have built up credit, you can ask for it back; suppliers should refund it unless there is a good reason not to, such as debt on the account.
If you cannot agree
Make a formal complaint to the supplier. If it is not resolved after eight weeks, or the supplier sends a final response you do not accept, you can take it to the Energy Ombudsman, which is free.
How Wisemium helps
Upload your energy bill to Wisemium and it reads the supplier, tariff, unit rates and standing charges for you to confirm, and shows how your monthly payment compares with Ofgem’s published typical figure. That is a starting point for the conversation with your supplier. Wisemium does not change your direct debit or contact your supplier; you do, with the evidence in front of you.
Wisemium reads your tariff and prices for you to confirm, and keeps them with any fixed term end date.
Common questions
Why has my energy direct debit gone up?
Usually an estimated reading, a price change, a change in your use, or debt being spread into the payment. An up-to-date reading is the first thing to give your supplier.
Can I get my energy credit back?
You can ask. Suppliers should refund credit unless there is a good reason not to, such as debt on the account.
Can I choose my own direct debit amount?
You can ask your supplier to set a different amount, with your reasons. It must take account of what you tell it, but it sets the payment.
Who can I complain to?
Your supplier first. After eight weeks, or a final response you do not accept, the Energy Ombudsman, free of charge.
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