Gas and electric in credit over 2k

MrsT1704 · 2023-09-12T12:55:28+00:00

Hi all, I am in credit of over 2K with my gas and electric and it just seems to be going up. Is there anyway of asking for a chunk out of this. I know it accummulates for over winter but this seems like a hell of a lot. Thanks

LadyGAgain · 12/09/2023 13:58

Are you billed 6 monthly as if so this isn't a credit - you're due a bill! That's how British Gas do it. A friend found out when she rang to ask for it back. The language is misleading!

Original poster

MrsT1704 · 12/09/2023 14:00

No, I am billed monthly for what I use. I hve checked its correct as I know they can sometimes be estimates

OP posts:

LadyGAgain · 12/09/2023 14:01

Then I want to say LUCKY YOU

StopGo · 12/09/2023 14:01

Just request a refund. You are strongly 'advised' to keep three months worth of direct debits in the account.

Example: DD£100 per month x 3 = £300
Credit = £2000
REFUND = £1700

You will have to be firm but don't let them fob you off.

Original poster

MrsT1704 · 12/09/2023 14:03

Fab thank you. I will ring them and give it a go! I feel very lucky as I may have to quit my job so the money will help a lot.

Hopefully I haven't got it wrong!

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TheSummerITurnedChubby · 12/09/2023 14:08

What provider are you with?

I got a refund for excessive credit back from OVO just clicking a button online; they told me I could request “between £x and £y” and it was in my bank account after a few days. I was pretty impressed actually!

megletthesecond · 12/09/2023 14:11

I'd be careful asking for it back. If you are on certain benefits you can't have much in savings. I've kept my almost 1k energy credit to tide me over when I get moved to universal credit.

Original poster

MrsT1704 · 12/09/2023 14:12

megletthesecond · 12/09/2023 14:11

I'd be careful asking for it back. If you are on certain benefits you can't have much in savings. I've kept my almost 1k energy credit to tide me over when I get moved to universal credit.

Thats a good point actually. I didnt not think of that. Maybe best to leave it for now then

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Travelfan2021 · 12/09/2023 14:17

This reply has been withdrawn

Removed at poster's request due to privacy concerns.

Original poster

MrsT1704 · 12/09/2023 14:23

TheSummerITurnedChubby · 12/09/2023 14:08

What provider are you with?

I got a refund for excessive credit back from OVO just clicking a button online; they told me I could request “between £x and £y” and it was in my bank account after a few days. I was pretty impressed actually!

I am with bulb. I had a quick look on their website but couldnt see anything straight forward. going to look again

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CatsOnTheChair · 12/09/2023 14:23

I'd:
Submit meter readings.
Then either request some of it back, or reduce the direct debit. Possibly a bit of both? Maybe ask for 1000 back, and reduce the direct debit by 100/month?

Andanotherone01 · 12/09/2023 14:24

My mum was a similar amount in credit with E-ON. Her direct debits were really high for what she used (my dad died a year ago, so she is on her own now) and the credit just kept accumulating. I contacted E-ON and there was no quibble with them refunding her (I asked for £1000, as she wanted to keep a chunk in credit for over the winter) and also reduced her monthly direct debit by more than half for this year.

Original poster

MrsT1704 · 12/09/2023 14:24

Thanks all. Will contact them to see if I can reduce my monthly amount

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CatsOnTheChair · 12/09/2023 14:25

Oh, just seen your last message.
Have you been transfered to Octopus? If so, getting money back is really easy, as is adjusting your direct debit. Just need to log on to your account. But you will have needed to submit readings to trigger a bill first.

userxx · 12/09/2023 14:27

If you were with bulb you're now with octopus. Really easy to request a refund in the app.

Original poster

MrsT1704 · 12/09/2023 14:33

CatsOnTheChair · 12/09/2023 14:25

Oh, just seen your last message.
Have you been transfered to Octopus? If so, getting money back is really easy, as is adjusting your direct debit. Just need to log on to your account. But you will have needed to submit readings to trigger a bill first.

Thank you! Didnt even realise! Just downloaded the app and looks straight forward

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Madcats · 12/09/2023 14:35

With some providers you are able to go onto your account and reduce the monthly direct debit without having to involve a call centre.

I put ours right down after Christmas when I had a better idea of our energy usage (our smart meters aren't terribly smart).

I am surprised that Ofgem doesn't insist that they pay interest on any credit balance over a set amount.

BarbaraofSeville · 13/09/2023 06:01

Why are you in credit if you pay for what you use? Don't you just get a bill and pay it?

Anyway, but once you're with Octopus, their balance predictor tool will show how they expect it to vary over the next year, what your excess balance is, taking into account the time of year and how much you can have back just by clicking a link, eg we pay £150 pm, have a credit after a recent bill of £350 and it says we can have £80 back if we want.

If you would lose UC due to a refund counting as 'savings', just ask if you can set the DD at a token amount until the credit is used up - you might be able to do this within the online account, if not, phone up and explain what you want and they should be able to sort it.

Original poster

MrsT1704 · 13/09/2023 09:50

BarbaraofSeville · 13/09/2023 06:01

Why are you in credit if you pay for what you use? Don't you just get a bill and pay it?

Anyway, but once you're with Octopus, their balance predictor tool will show how they expect it to vary over the next year, what your excess balance is, taking into account the time of year and how much you can have back just by clicking a link, eg we pay £150 pm, have a credit after a recent bill of £350 and it says we can have £80 back if we want.

If you would lose UC due to a refund counting as 'savings', just ask if you can set the DD at a token amount until the credit is used up - you might be able to do this within the online account, if not, phone up and explain what you want and they should be able to sort it.

No I pay a certain amount a month to balance it throughout the year but the credit just kept building.

I have downloaded the app and its so easy to request. Not going to do it just yet though. Half of it will have to go to ex DH because its the money we paid in together before splitting so Im sure it wont have that much impact on UC.

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Decafflatteplease · 13/09/2023 13:56

Weve just had ours back. We were £1000 in credit and took £750 back, just rang them and asked for it back. Going to do the same again in the spring if the credit has built up again.