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Best answer by Blastoise186

Updated on 07/03/25 by Chris_OVO

Hi @decroisic ,

Yes, it’s been named as the Winter Challenge. Details below:

 

23 replies

Nukecad
Super User
Super User
October 9, 2024

Mmm, when you say that you have been using £48-£52 a month has that been over summer, it will be higher during winter.

Assuming that you don't have a debit balance then the DD's are calculated based on your estimated future anual consumption.
That is then averaged out so that the payment should be the same each month and not go up in winter.

Although that FAC can be incorrect in some cases, there are various reasons why which I won’t go into here.
If you look at the Plan page of your online account it will tell you what they have for your FAC, and you can then check if it's too high for what you actually used in kWh over the past year.

However, if you do currently have a debit balance and are opting for a Standard Variable Tariff then the DD amount will be set to try and reduce that debit balance to zero by 31st March, which can also increase the DD particularly now with only 6 DDs until 31st March.
You can offset that somewhat be going for a Fixed Rate tariff, which will spread that debit recovery over a 1-year (or 2-year) period.

I said, Hey - Watts going on.
Newcomer
October 9, 2024

I’ve had OVO energy for the last 1.5 years so I’ve already done 2 winters with Ovo. My bill was never higher than £75 in winter. So to charge £111 for direct debit is absolute BS. Never has my bill been this amount so I absolutely am not paying £111 each month, it’s infuriating. I am on fixed term plan and done 2 winters so there is no way my bills will be this high.
As I said Ovo is making it difficult for people to actually be part of this ‘green initiative’ with all their rules and wanting to charge extra money. It has worked super well since they introduced it and they realised that people are able to save money and how much they need to pay out and they are trying to be difficult and introduce rules. it’s the false advertising and them trying to position themselves as trying to help people and planet when the opposite is true. Absolute disgrace. They could have just kept it as it is, there was absolutely no need to introduce all the new rules, make it difficult and try to overcharge their own customer to then pretend to give them some money back. 

Firedog
Super User
Super User
October 9, 2024

Ovo is ... wanting to charge extra money. 
 

Please read up about the Direct Debit system. There is no question of ‘overcharging.’ If your DD amount is set higher than your bills amount to, the extra will just accumulate in your OVO account to help pay for usage in the future. You can see how well (or badly) it’s working on your account pages. You’re only charged for what you actually use at the prices in your plan. 

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. |