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Rank 1
bellevueace
Rank 1
October 21, 2017
Solved

Is my Direct Debit with OVO Energy set to a fixed amount, even with smart meters?

  • October 21, 2017
  • 18 replies
  • 12050 views
As a new customer and one who has normally paid my bills quarterly I have a question as regards to the direct debit method. I was under the impression that your monthly payment can change for example if you use more energy, I was also under the impression if you used less than what you pay monthly that difference gets refunded. Well ive only had two bills, the first one because of being a new customer was a fair bit short of my monthly debit amount but the full amount was taken, now for this month I received an e-mail asking for my meter readings which I submitted, on checking my account I notice it said as I had not submitted my meter readings they had used an estimate, then underneath it had my submitted readings which were less. The correct monthly amount was taken out in this instance but it shows my account as £69.00 pounds. So is this amount an overpayment from the first month plus the difference between the estimate and reading for the second month? If so I thought this got re-credited? I'm not quite sure how this system works. Thanks.
Best answer by Jess_OVO

Updated on 15/08/25 by Abby_OVO

 

Your Direct Debit amount will not change month to month, even if you’ve got smart meters installed, but that doesn’t mean it’s a fixed amount

 

We’ll regularly check your Direct Debit amount is enough to cover your usage costs. As your smart meters send us your readings regularly, these Direct Debit reviews are more accurate than if we’re estimating your usage. If we think you’re paying too much or too little to cover the usage each month, we’ll recommend a new Direct Debit amount at your next review.

 

How we work out your Direct Debit amount

 

The aim is to make sure you have credit for 1 month’s payment in your OVO account by the end of March. This is to help cover any change in your home energy use over the course of the year. 

 

For new customers, this only comes into effect once you’ve reached March. When you first join, the aim is to make sure you have no balance left to pay after 1 year.

 

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

 

The “fixed” element of the tariff, is the unit price you agreed to when you signed up to the tariff.

 

You can view more on Direct Debits and how we calculate them below:

 

 

 

Is there any support available if I’m struggling to pay for my energy?

 

There is help available if you’re struggling to pay your energy bills – both from us here at OVO Energy and from government schemes and charities as well.

 

There are many ways we can help – such as setting up a payment plan for you, which spreads the cost of your energy to make it more manageable. If you want to find out about payment plans, you can request one online here – we’ll take you through what you need to do, and ask you for some details.

 

Our dedicated team is also specially trained to support you. They can make sure you’re receiving any financial assistance from the government that you’re eligible for, and take you through payment support schemes that are available. 

 

You can find out more about these schemes and where to seek free, independent advice right here.
 

 

OVO member but not got a smart meter yet? - Book today!

Interested but not yet an OVO member? - Check out our plans!

18 replies

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Jeffus
Rank 20
Jeffus
Rank 20
October 27, 2022

I would like to pay by variable direct debit  each month for the energy I have used that month

Hi @SueMPH

I don't work for ovo, am just a customer like you. 

Ovo don't have an option where you can have a direct debit for just the energy you use each month . 

Here is some info on their direct debits that they created

You can choose to pay on receipt of bill, but unfortunately this works out more expensive as you pay a higher unit rate for energy. It is hence not really a great option. 

Hope that helps explain the options 

S
Newcomer
SueMPH
Newcomer
October 27, 2022

Thank you Jeffus.  We have paid by DD seemingly forever but a friend told us recently that we was paying a variable rate with another company according to how much energy he used in the month.  Odd that OVO doesn’t offer this.

 

B
Newcomer
bilabonic
Newcomer
November 9, 2022

OVO must be making millions by FORCING people who pay a higher DD amount than they actually use.
Millions invested with interest rates high the customer is getting ripped off!!
You should ONLY pay for what you use monthly and the customer can then invest the rest, its that simple.
SHAME ON YOU OVO!!!!!

juliamc
Rank 20
juliamc
Rank 20
November 9, 2022

There are choices @bilabonic You can pay monthly on receipt of your bill so there is no credit held in your account, not everyone on this forum is with OVO so that’s another choice you can make….

    B
    Newcomer
    bilabonic
    Newcomer
    November 9, 2022

    There are choices @bilabonic You can pay monthly on receipt of your bill so there is no credit held in your account, not everyone on this forum is with OVO so that’s another choice you can make….

     

    A ‘Hobsons Choice’, you decide to pay for what you use and they charge you more!
    There is NO choice!!

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    November 10, 2022

    There is a choice of three options with most suppliers, including OVO:

    • Fixed Direct Debit - almost always the cheapest way to pay
    • Pay-As-You-Go - usually the second cheapest option
    • Pay On-Demand/On-Receipt - almost always the most expensive way to pay

    The reason the latter costs more is because it’s harder to manage and the supplier takes on more risk of non-payment. Plus the extra admin effort required to manage those accounts means the supplier is entitled to pass on those extra costs to you.

    Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
      A
      Rank 3
      andykelp
      Rank 3
      September 1, 2023

      I’ve now been migrated from SSE to OVO and see that my bills will now be monthly as opposed to quarterly.  I’d prefer my Direct Debit to be for the amount of that monthly bill (as is the way with my phone/broadband) rather than a fixed sum.

      Does OVO have this facility?

        Blastoise186
        Super User
        Blastoise186Super User
        Super User
        September 1, 2023

        OVO doesn’t offer Variable Direct Debits. However, even on Fixed DD, you only pay for what you actually use anyway - the rest stays in the account for future bills.

        Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
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