Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Boring energy bill question

13 replies

Ilovedavidmitchell · 01/07/2023 14:30

I have only just moved into my own home, prior to this I rented in a 'bills included' flat so I've never had to pay bills before.

In June my first DD came out which was £141 but then yesterday I was billed £67. I paid it but now I'm just wondering why! They aren't open today for me to call so I have sent them an email. But until they respond I just wondered if anyone knows.

I had a look at my bill and our gas and electric usage for the month comes to £72 so that's below the DD amount. So why have I been billed for even more? My account now says I am in credit for £135. Does anyone have any idea?

OP posts:
cakeorwine · 01/07/2023 14:39

Chances are they have estimated your amount for the year, divided it by 12 and take that out every month.

So you will see your monthly usage and the cost for that - so it's lower in summer but this will be compensated for by much higher bills in winter

cakeorwine · 01/07/2023 14:41

What kind of account have you got?

If you have a DD, then they will take out an amount every month and you don't need to give them any extra payments.

They either take out the exact amount or they take out 1/12 of the estimated annual usage.

Mumski45 · 01/07/2023 14:44

Are you sure that the 'bill' you paid wasn't just for information. When you pay by DD they still send you details of how much you have used but you are not supposed to pay it. During summer your DD will cover more than you use and you should build up a credit which is then reduced in the winter when your usage is more than your DD. This evens out the monthly cost over the year.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Cost of living
dementedpixie · 01/07/2023 14:48

If you pay a set monthly direct debit then statements you get are just for info rather than needing to be paid as extra.

Original poster
Ilovedavidmitchell · 01/07/2023 14:56

So on 24th June I had a notification saying "your first DD with octopus is due to come out" from my bank. It came out on the 26th as the 24th was a Saturday. It came out as £141 which is the DD that I should pay every month.

Then yesterday, so 4 days later I received a notification on my Octopus app saying I have a new bill. I clicked on it and in the bills section it said £67 and next to it it said "pay this bill" so I clicked the button and paid it.

Today I was going through my emails and saw that octopus had sent me one with a statement on it. Showing that I pay £141 but I actually only used £72 worth. So I don't know why I had to pay the £67 if I already overpaid?

OP posts:
cakeorwine · 01/07/2023 15:00

Ilovedavidmitchell · 01/07/2023 14:56

So on 24th June I had a notification saying "your first DD with octopus is due to come out" from my bank. It came out on the 26th as the 24th was a Saturday. It came out as £141 which is the DD that I should pay every month.

Then yesterday, so 4 days later I received a notification on my Octopus app saying I have a new bill. I clicked on it and in the bills section it said £67 and next to it it said "pay this bill" so I clicked the button and paid it.

Today I was going through my emails and saw that octopus had sent me one with a statement on it. Showing that I pay £141 but I actually only used £72 worth. So I don't know why I had to pay the £67 if I already overpaid?

It sound like you have a lot of credit now.

I don't think you should have paid that bill - as if you have a DD, the point is that you don't "pay", it just comes out automatically.

dementedpixie · 01/07/2023 15:03

Did you submit any readings before the bill was generated?

I get asked for a monthly reading and then the Octopus app shows what i have used and what my current balance is. I pay a monthly direct debit and make no extra payments unless I am hugely in debit.

gamerchick · 01/07/2023 15:03

The whole point of a DD is they take, you don't pay any extra. I'd budget for the usual amount just in case.

dementedpixie · 01/07/2023 15:05

I usually submit readings on the 1st of the month so this shows my usage and running balance which goes into credit after my direct debit is received

Boring energy bill question
Original poster
Ilovedavidmitchell · 01/07/2023 15:07

I have a smart meter so they take the readings.

I know that a DD means that I don't have to manually pay it myself and it just comes out. But this was something extra. It was an extra payment so I am just wondering why. It literally told me to pay the bill. I already paid my DD. That was done and dusted a week ago. This was another payment. I'll just wait for them to reply or I'll call them on monday. Thanks everyone

OP posts:
GoodChat · 01/07/2023 15:11

When did you move in? It might be your usage from the month before your DD started

Vickythevan63 · 01/07/2023 16:00

Are you able to post some of your statement (with name, ac details crossed out) so we can see what it says?

If it shows £72 used and £141 paid, then the bottom line should be a credit of £69 - basic maths.

Does the statement state that you needed to pay £67 or was that just on the app?

I am with a different supplier but sometimes the amount of ongoing credit/debit can be inaccurate between statements, so ignore any figures until my monthly statement is produced.

AxolotlOnions · 01/07/2023 16:45

When paying by DD you will also get bills for your actual usage that you can pay but don't need to especially if you are in credit, they're just giving you the option to.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread