Ovo forcing high direct debit

[Skintybinty]

I have a smart meter, so Ovo knows exactly what electricity I use every month.

I'm away with work a lot so my use is very variable, but despite this, they refuse to bill me monthly for what I have actually used, and keep hassling me to increase my direct debit was above what I wiull actually use.

What's the point of a smartmeter if they're going to estimate my direct debit anyway? Utterly crap company, but I can't seem to switch at the moment.

Can anyone recommend a company that bills on your actual electricity used?

Hi. Can you please tell me what has happened since? I am planning to do the same now. Thank you.

Hi. Can you tell me what has happened since as I am planning to do the same?

In the olden days, we paid quarterly, and we all dreaded the winter bills. Monthly DD is better for me because my income is fairly stable. I always use my annual usage in kwh x the current rate to judge whether my DD is going to cover the year.

So far, this year, I have £700 credit and normally, that would see me through the winter without going into debt. But my DD will have to rise to cover the Oct increase because we're on standard variable after being moved companies. I'm going to reduce usage as much as I can, but I've been moving £100 a month into a savings account to offset the increase. I realise that's not possible if you have no money left at the end of every month - but I think it's people like me who aren't stretched to the limit who will end up with huge increases and no help.

For my usage the prediction is £430 a month. …from end October as I am fixed until then.

Quite a rise from £82 a month which covers my usage currently….but it’s a fixed rate so I always knew the new standard rate was going to be a shock. That’s quite a BIG shock though and we basically won’t be able to use the heating at all this winter. That’s our biggest cost and use. We are end of terrace and the house is freezing in winter but we will have to cope.

I am buying hot water bottles and digging out my blankets for the sofa.

may even buy some electric blankets for us all.

I like ovo. They pay me 5% interest on any credit which is more than any bank would!

Surely you just type in your meter readings to get an accurate bill? I’ve always found it easy to do on their website.

If you had the OVO app, it's so easy to alter the dd yourself and request refunds. I'd rather spread the cost over the year with the same outgoing per month. At least when I'm in credit, I earn more interest than at the bank.