I find it hilarious that OVO advises me to increase my direct debit from £85 to £160+. A month on a two up two down townhouse when I switched because they were cheaper than my previous supplier. 
. Don’t they realise I will simply switch back 
. Lol
Solved
Why such a large increase to my recommended Direct Debit?
Best answer by Transparent
Updated 18/08/25 by Abby_OVO
How do Direct Debits work?
A Direct Debit is an automatic monthly payment set up with your bank or building society. It means you can choose which day you want the payment to go out each month, and your bank will sort the rest.
Once a Direct Debit is set up, you don’t need to do anything else. It’s often the best way to make regular payments, such as your energy bill.
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.
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.
Why is my Direct Debit increasing when my balance is in credit?
It’s normal for a credit balance to build up in your energy account over summer, when energy use is usually lower. This credit can help pay for your energy in winter, when most homes use more. It helps you spread your energy costs over time.
Even if your energy account is in credit, sometimes your Direct Debit payments still need to increase.
This could be the case if we’ve worked out that your OVO account is likely to have a debt balance long term – based on how much energy your home is predicted to use.
You can always choose to get a credit refund if you prefer. Request one at any time in your online account, in our app, or over the phone. You just need to leave credit in there for 1 month’s payment. This is in line with our refund policy.
Useful to know It’s important you have all the info, then you can decide what’s best for you;
-
If you request a refund online, sometimes we’ll need to confirm this over the phone. This is to make sure you have the details of how it’ll affect your energy account.
-
Getting a refund might mean your Direct Debit payments will need to increase, once your account has less credit in it.
Is there any support available if I’m struggling to pay for my energy?
If you’re worried about your payments changing or you can’t afford them, please speak to our team. We can make sure you get financial support that’s tailored to you and your situation. There are many options available for anyone who needs help. To get in touch with our team:
-
Sign up to our payment support tool and we can find the best plan for you.
-
Call us on 0800 408 6615. We’re here Monday to Friday, 9am and 5pm, and 9am to 2pm on Saturday.
-
Talk to us online Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and 9am to 2pm on Saturday.
OVO member but not got a smart meter yet? - Book today!
Interested but not yet an OVO member? - Check out our plans!
+2Hi @l_scattergood ,
Did you mean to post this is the section of the forum for Electric Vehicles?
If you do have one, could you tell the rest of us how you're able to charge it and power your house on just £85 a month? :?
We'll all be rushing out to buy the same model.
I also love the typo in your Thread Title. A Direct Debut is just so appropriate for a new OVO customer! :D
On a more serious note, does the £160 you're being asked for look like it matches the readings from your meter? Or is it way out?
It's always tricky trying to set the right level when those of us, like you and I, start our energy contracts in winter. In my case, when I switched to OVO in December, I entered the Tariff Comparison data on the last bill from my previous supplier. OVO accepted this without question and set my direct debit accordingly.
Unless you've changed anything significant in the last few months, such as
Did you mean to post this is the section of the forum for Electric Vehicles?
If you do have one, could you tell the rest of us how you're able to charge it and power your house on just £85 a month? :?
We'll all be rushing out to buy the same model.
I also love the typo in your Thread Title. A Direct Debut is just so appropriate for a new OVO customer! :D
On a more serious note, does the £160 you're being asked for look like it matches the readings from your meter? Or is it way out?
It's always tricky trying to set the right level when those of us, like you and I, start our energy contracts in winter. In my case, when I switched to OVO in December, I entered the Tariff Comparison data on the last bill from my previous supplier. OVO accepted this without question and set my direct debit accordingly.
Unless you've changed anything significant in the last few months, such as
- buying an electric vehicle
- switching to electric cooking
+2Updated 18/08/25 by Abby_OVO
How do Direct Debits work?
A Direct Debit is an automatic monthly payment set up with your bank or building society. It means you can choose which day you want the payment to go out each month, and your bank will sort the rest.
Once a Direct Debit is set up, you don’t need to do anything else. It’s often the best way to make regular payments, such as your energy bill.
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.
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.
Why is my Direct Debit increasing when my balance is in credit?
It’s normal for a credit balance to build up in your energy account over summer, when energy use is usually lower. This credit can help pay for your energy in winter, when most homes use more. It helps you spread your energy costs over time.
Even if your energy account is in credit, sometimes your Direct Debit payments still need to increase.
This could be the case if we’ve worked out that your OVO account is likely to have a debt balance long term – based on how much energy your home is predicted to use.
You can always choose to get a credit refund if you prefer. Request one at any time in your online account, in our app, or over the phone. You just need to leave credit in there for 1 month’s payment. This is in line with our refund policy.
Useful to know It’s important you have all the info, then you can decide what’s best for you;
-
If you request a refund online, sometimes we’ll need to confirm this over the phone. This is to make sure you have the details of how it’ll affect your energy account.
-
Getting a refund might mean your Direct Debit payments will need to increase, once your account has less credit in it.
Is there any support available if I’m struggling to pay for my energy?
If you’re worried about your payments changing or you can’t afford them, please speak to our team. We can make sure you get financial support that’s tailored to you and your situation. There are many options available for anyone who needs help. To get in touch with our team:
-
Sign up to our payment support tool and we can find the best plan for you.
-
Call us on 0800 408 6615. We’re here Monday to Friday, 9am and 5pm, and 9am to 2pm on Saturday.
-
Talk to us online Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and 9am to 2pm on Saturday.
OVO member but not got a smart meter yet? - Book today!
Interested but not yet an OVO member? - Check out our plans!
Yeh well like i said OVO make out they are cheaper when in reality they aren't. If i find i am paying the same i will move back to British Gas, and yeh I have insulation
My bill has recently increased from 75 to 355 a month - I have put in my meter readings... When will this be rectified?
Hi @Claire678 ,
I've moved your post here where you'll be able to find some information about why Direct Debits might be increased.
Hope this helps
I've moved your post here where you'll be able to find some information about why Direct Debits might be increased.
Hope this helps
My current DD is £42pm. This has recently been reduced following installation of smart meters. I've ended my first year with Ovo just over £30 in credit. Ovo predict my usage for the next 12 months will be £565 and want me to amend my DD to a minimum of £51pm.
Given that 565/12 is £47pm, why am I expected to overpay by £48 this year? I thought the aim was to try and get a balance close to zero at the end of 12 months?
Given that 565/12 is £47pm, why am I expected to overpay by £48 this year? I thought the aim was to try and get a balance close to zero at the end of 12 months?
Hi @Susiebird ,
Welcome to the forum. Are you on a fixed rate/term tariff? Does that run out all during the next 12 months? I am wondering if it is anticipating some sort of rise in cost per unit??
Just an idea...
Welcome to the forum. Are you on a fixed rate/term tariff? Does that run out all during the next 12 months? I am wondering if it is anticipating some sort of rise in cost per unit??
Just an idea...
No, I'm on a 2 year fixed rate tariff but it doesn't run out for another 12 months.
Hi @Susiebird - I've moved your posts over to this thread where you can find more information on why Direct Debits are reviewed and increased.
Does the info on this link help at all?
https://www.ovoenergy.com/help/direct-debit-review
+8- Super User
That’s a discussion for you to have with OVO. Tbh I think it makes sense that the review process doesn’t instantly drop your payments every single time - but instead allows you to drop them. Ultimately, OVO will drop them if the system is sufficiently confident that it can do so safely, but ultimately it’s not as simple as it might first seem!
I use around £75 a month for gas and electric. I am VERY CAREFUL about my useage.
OVO have increased my direct debit to £159 a month.
I couldn’t understand why they would want twice as much money from me than I actually use………..
I think it’s because they are a ‘pay in advance’ provider not a pay your bill at the end of each month provider !!!!????
+8- Super User
You can dispute this if you wish
The Collections Team can reduce it back down and lock it there on request. It’s 0800 069 9831.
But be careful, it may not be in your best interests to do that.
+5Hi
https://account.ovoenergy.com/plan
What does it say under Future Annual Consumption?
Would you consider going to a pay as you meter.
I use to be bill then it went to 95 a month . Just for electric . Pay as you go meter was put in I used 40 a month but since prices have gone up its gone to 60 now.
+5Would you consider going to a pay as you meter.
I use to be bill then it went to 95 a month . Just for electric . Pay as you go meter was put in I used 40 a month but since prices have gone up its gone to 60 now.
Some people prefer that for budgeting.
All i would say, by far the cheapest price for electricity and gas per unit is to pay by direct debit with a standard meter.
Thanks for your interest in my enquiry. I was under the impression that cost on pay as you go meters are more expensive
Hi
https://account.ovoenergy.com/plan
What does it say under Future Annual Consumption?
I will try that thank you :)
Sue I think I pay 54p a day standing charge
So that's about 3.78 aweek . I paid £ 60 for 4 weeks that's including the standing charge. It works well for me. I know where I am.
I just don’t understand. I send them readings ALL THE TIME so they are very well aware of my useage (:
Sue I think I pay 54p a day standing charge
So that's about 3.78 aweek . I paid £ 60 for 4 weeks that's including the standing charge. It works well for me. I know where I am.
I am a gas and electric user:
Sept/ Oct bill: Including standing charge!!!
Electricity £37.28
Gas £35.47
plus VAT £3.64
TOTAL £76.39
I will investigate why they want me to pay £159 a month!!!
I refer to my first comment……. They want us to be in credit of a-month??!!
Sue I think I pay 54p a day standing charge
So that's about 3.78 aweek . I paid £ 60 for 4 weeks that's including the standing charge. It works well for me. I know where I am.
I am a gas and electric user:
Sept/ Oct bill: Including standing charge!!!
Electricity £37.28
Gas £35.47
plus VAT £3.64
TOTAL £76.39
I will investigate why they want me to pay £159 a month!!!
I refer to my first comment……. They want us to be in credit of a-month??!!
I think I will start taking photos of my meters to prove the readings!!
Hi
https://account.ovoenergy.com/plan
What does it say under Future Annual Consumption?
Hi Jeffus. Unfortunately there was NO heading called Future Annual Consumption :(
+5Hi
https://account.ovoenergy.com/plan
What does it say under Future Annual Consumption?
Hi Jeffus. Unfortunately there was NO heading called Future Annual Consumption :(
Are you sure you are looking at the website and not getting redirected to the app?
It never appears on the app.
Here is mine for example
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