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l_scattergood
Rank 1
February 1, 2018
Solved

Why such a large increase to my recommended Direct Debit?

  • February 1, 2018
  • 107 replies
  • 11943 views

Why are OVO advising 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?  

    Best answer by Chris_OVO

    Updated on 04/09/26 by Chris_OVO

    How does OVO work out my monthly Direct Debit?

     

    The goal is to ensure you have enough credit in your OVO account for one month’s payment by the end of March. This will help cover changes in your energy use throughout the year.

     

    For new customers, this process starts once you reach March. When you first sign up, we aim to make sure you have no remaining balance at the end of the year.

     

    We will regularly check your Direct Debit payment to ensure it still covers your energy use.

     

    You can find more information in the article below:

     

    107 replies

    Show previous replies
    Newcomer
    sacol
    Newcomer
    January 7, 2026

    Hi. It's been sorted thank you.  😊

    Abby_OVO
    Community Manager
    Abby_OVO
    Community Manager
    January 8, 2026

    Hey ​@sacol 

     

    Glad to hear that’s been sorted, thanks for coming back to update us.😊

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    Chris_OVO
    Community Manager
    Chris_OVOBest Answer
    Community Manager
    September 4, 2026

    Updated on 04/09/26 by Chris_OVO

    How does OVO work out my monthly Direct Debit?

     

    The goal is to ensure you have enough credit in your OVO account for one month’s payment by the end of March. This will help cover changes in your energy use throughout the year.

     

    For new customers, this process starts once you reach March. When you first sign up, we aim to make sure you have no remaining balance at the end of the year.

     

    We will regularly check your Direct Debit payment to ensure it still covers your energy use.

     

    You can find more information in the article below:

     

    Renewable energy jokes never get old.
    Rank 7
    EverythingNeedsAUserName
    Rank 7
    September 4, 2026

    If you're on a fixed price and term tariff, it should instead check that you'll be at nil balance by the end of your period. If my contract starts in October, I do not expect or want to be in credit in March because the far cheaper summer months will bring me back to zero. 

    3.99kW solar 2015, 12kWh batteries 2022, Tado.
    Firedog
    Super User
    FiredogSuper User
    Super User
    September 4, 2026

    I do not expect or want to be in credit in March ...

    That’s not really your choice. When you arrange to pay by Direct Debit, you agree to keep the account in credit. The one month’s buffer helps ensure this will happen even though, say, a DD payment fails.

    Noel | I have no official status; I'm just a volunteer who comes here to help other customers. My gear: Aclara SGM 1416-B Electricity-only E7 meter; Chameleon IHD3-PPMID-AAA | It may look as if I know what I’m talking about, but don’t let that fool you. |
    Rank 7
    EverythingNeedsAUserName
    Rank 7
    September 6, 2026

    I do not expect or want to be in credit in March ...

    That’s not really your choice. When you arrange to pay by Direct Debit, you agree to keep the account in credit. The one month’s buffer helps ensure this will happen even though, say, a DD payment fails.

    Thank you for pointing that out. In 50 years of paying gas and electric by direct debit, I cannot recall ever seeing such a restriction. The rules are dated February 2025.

    That means they are not spreading the costs over 12 equal monthly payments. I thought it odd enough when they wanted one payment up front. It becomes more like a pre-payment metered supply. Good to know.

    The Ts and Cs when I joined in November 2024 had no such rule. I missed the email telling me about this momentous change. I wonder if all suppliers are doing this. 

    My bills vary from £30 in summer due to solar to £230.  It explains why they've charged me so that at present, at the end of my 12 months, my balance could cover the next 3 months. 

     

    3.99kW solar 2015, 12kWh batteries 2022, Tado.
    Firedog
    Super User
    FiredogSuper User
    Super User
    September 6, 2026

    ​@EverythingNeedsAUserName wrote:
    The Ts and Cs when I joined in November 2024 had no such rule. I missed the email telling me about this momentous change. I wonder if all suppliers are doing this. 

    There was no email. 

    These terms are pretty draconian - they’ve got you all ways up, to use a vernacular phrase. One of the nasty ones is in the Welcome section (!): We may update these terms from time to time, but the most up-to-date version will always be shown on our website at ovoenergy.com/terms, repeated in §9.1:

    We can make changes to your Contract anytime, including changing our pricing and payment methods. If we make changes, we’ll make a copy of any new Terms and conditions available on our website. Please check this page regularly to review updated Terms. 


    It’s up to you! 

    That said, note also the lbullet points under Definitions | Contract: The contract [...] is made up of [...] these Terms and conditions and any other Terms and conditions that we agree with you. That’s why it’s always a good idea to contact them by webchat, so you can get a written record of “any other Terms and conditions that we agree with you.” You’ll then have some ammunition in case of a dispute.

    The other one to note is the DD review bit. The current policy is to review once a quarter, which fits nicely with the price cap cadence, but a review can take place anytime if they or you want one. So the DD won’t necessarily be immutable for a year or for the term of any fixed-rate plan. Mine hasn’t changed since July 2025.

    There are also ways of reducing the DD by 10 or 15% for a period if you ask Support (via webchat!). Whatever you do, don’t click the big Change amount button on the Change your Direct Debit page unless you really want to change it to the amount showing in the box on that page - the change takes immediate effect when you click.

    You didn’t give the source of your quotations above, but they’re fairly common terms. Which supplier was that? Or are they from your 2024 terms?

       

    Noel | I have no official status; I'm just a volunteer who comes here to help other customers. My gear: Aclara SGM 1416-B Electricity-only E7 meter; Chameleon IHD3-PPMID-AAA | It may look as if I know what I’m talking about, but don’t let that fool you. |
    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

    OVO Energy Ltd, Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ, (Company no. 06890795) registered in England and Wales.

    OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

    OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd