Direct Debit calculation changes?

Hey ​@TAZZYUK 

I checked in with the Charge Anytime team about this who’ve confirmed that the monthly plan cost doesn’t have an impact on Direct Debit calculations, so the timing of your suggested increase is just coincidental.

How we check you’re paying the right amount

Your Direct Debit payment amount will be regularly reviewed to make sure it still covers your home’s energy use.

We’ll let you know if your Direct Debit amount needs to change to keep your energy account balance up to date.

When your payment amount might change

Your payments might need to go up or down if something changes. For example:

• Your home is using more or less energy than predicted.

• Your energy prices have changed or they will soon, to stay in line with the price cap.

• You’ve moved to a different tariff. 

• You’re likely to have less than a month’s credit in your energy account by 31 March. This credit is there in case your home energy use changes over the course of the year. For new customers, this only comes into effect once you’ve reached March.

• You've missed a monthly payment, lowered your Direct Debit, or got a refund recently.

• You’ve chosen an add-on, like Greener Energy.

If your Direct Debit amount needs to change, we’ll let you know.

Neither Charge Anytime nor monthly plans have an impact on the calculations. I’ve linked below to a few topics which might be helpful here too:

Thanks, I hadn’t seen that page with their anticipated usage broken down by month.

The usage last winter, from Dec-Mar was this (electricity/gas)

Dec 24: 27.93/93.09

Jan 25: 30.03/128.96

Feb 25: 33.94/102.30

Mar 25: 27.96/81.71

Ovo’s prediction for this winter:

Dec 25: 55.13/140.13

Jan 26: 54.43/147.19

Feb 26: 47.51/128.62

Mar 26: 49.89/118.10

So quite a jump, especially as the usage for 2025 to date was down on the same period for 2024.

Its all fine now they put the DD back don from 151 to 128 (just £2) higher than it was.

Be interesting to see how it turns out over the next few months though

The prediction is based on known parameters. I wrote earlier: “A common cause [of an unreasonably high DD amount] is that the FAC is very different from the actual increase in meter readings over the past twelve months. How does your look?”

Glad they’ve put it back down for you ​@Iain71.

Usually the estimated annual consumption (EAC) we hold for customers is pretty accurate however, when it’s not, advisors should be working things out manually and adjusting the Direct Debit accordingly, whilst flagging that the  EAC is incorrect.

Just to follow my message from December. Seems the algorithm might have caught up with actual usage… and my DD has gone down to £98. First time it’s been under £100 in three years after a high of £170, and feels about the right amount 

Hey ​@Iain71,

Thanks so much for the update! I'm really glad to hear that your direct debit is now in line with your usage. Fingers crossed it stays that way as making things easier for you is what we all want! If you need anything else, just let us know!