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Original poster

Electricity bill always in credit

14 replies

Spidey66 · 02/08/2023 12:46

We're with Scottish Power, although we live in London.

We've got a 2 bed flat, and there's only the 2 of us, and central heating is gas. So while utilities are high, they shouldn't be extortionate.

We've got a smart meter sending our usage to Scottish Power.

Since we've had the smart meter about 18 months ago our bills are permanently in credit. We used to pay £60 pm, then when energy bills exploded it went to £120, now its nearly £150. 🙄Thing is our bills are actually nowhere near that cost. Last Christmas we got a rebate of about £850, which was obviously helpful at the time.

Currently our bill is £750 in credit, but they're still taking £150 out a month.

We're planning to move in the next few months and the property is on the market, and I'm kind of of the mindset that as moving will be expensive to keep things as they are as a kind of informal saving scheme so I've got a little windfall when we need it.

But why the hell is this happening? They've got the smart meter giving them regular readings....this has been going on since energy prices exploded, and the smart meter installed, why the hell don't they just adjust the direct debit accordingly?

OP posts:
KPops22 · 02/08/2023 13:35

Ask for the balance to be refunded to you! This is the situation some people like to maintain as they want to pay the same amount each month to offset the winter. If it doesn't suit you tell them!

Scyla · 02/08/2023 13:37

I keep having this problem and in the end I emailed them to reduce the direct debit or I would go elsewhere.

They did it.

dementedpixie · 02/08/2023 13:38

Can you not adjust the direct debit yourself or at least request that they reduce it? You dont need to wait for them to do it

Holscgnmusch · 02/08/2023 13:40

Well you can see the advantage for them having all that money resting in their account interest free for most of the year.

I recently initiated a refund off British Gas for the same reason, absolutely no rationale for being hundreds of pounds in credit in the spring.

Holscgnmusch · 02/08/2023 13:41

KPops22 · 02/08/2023 13:35

Ask for the balance to be refunded to you! This is the situation some people like to maintain as they want to pay the same amount each month to offset the winter. If it doesn't suit you tell them!

The problem is that they accrue a credit that far exceeds the amount needed for the cold months

SM4713 · 02/08/2023 13:46

I was with bulb, and I could automatically change the monthly amount up or down as I liked. It would only allow down to a certain amount each month- unless I called.

I'd take your money out now, put in into a savings account- and then YOU get any interest from it for Christmas. Also drop the monthly rate!

Holscgnmusch · 02/08/2023 14:04

SM4713 · 02/08/2023 13:46

I was with bulb, and I could automatically change the monthly amount up or down as I liked. It would only allow down to a certain amount each month- unless I called.

I'd take your money out now, put in into a savings account- and then YOU get any interest from it for Christmas. Also drop the monthly rate!

Exactly!

Belindabelle · 02/08/2023 14:43

I am also with Scottish Power. I have the ability to go into my online account and adjust the direct debit. After winter I was £1200 in credit so I have reduced my dd to £20 per month and will continue to pay that amount until my credit is used up. I submit readings every 4 weeks so I know exactly how much I am using.

I could ask them to refund me the money but it suits me to have this ring fenced money to use for utilities.

CurlsLDN · 02/08/2023 14:48

They have automatically adjusted your payment based on rising energy costs and future proofing for winter. That’s normal.

however it’s also completely normal for you to adjust it and set it at a level that works for you. Usually easily done online or with a phonecall. It’s not a big deal, just adjust the monthly payment and get the credit refunded back, if you want to.

DahliaMacNamara · 02/08/2023 14:52

Oh, I used to like that. It was a way of keeping funds to one side without DH being tempted to spend it. Money burns a hole in his pocket, and extra money burns a bigger hole. So I'd request a refund at a time that suited the budget. But now British Gas seem to randomly refund relatively small credit balances (and then put up the direct debit, FFS).

trulyunruly01 · 02/08/2023 15:02

I'm with Octopus who seem pretty good at forecasting future costs and I have a good record of monthly meter readings so I can gauge my winter usage pretty well.
I've just requested a £400 refund of credit, leaving what I believe to be a months actual usage in credit, plus I'm paying £50 a month above their requested direct debit.

Cupcakequeen75 · 03/08/2023 08:51

We are with Eon and can raise or lower the DD at will.
We are also in credit but happy to leave it there as we go into winter but I can understand why some people would not want to do this.
Have a SM but give meter readings every month so we know exactly what our usage is (SM was faulty it the start so just got into the habit of submitting readings on 1st of every month).

YouAndMeAndThem · 03/08/2023 08:55

I'm with Scottish power and you can reduce your direct debit whenever you like on the app. We are always in credit and I reduced mine to £100 from £175, no issue, no quibble, just used the slider in the app!

Original poster
Spidey66 · 03/08/2023 15:21

Thanks for the info, will get onto Scottish Power, reduce my DD and claim back my overpayment. :)

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