[Starkat]

Hi! So I recently moved into a new flat that is now monthly billing, I have always been used to prepay, little bit of a panic for me, I honestly have been struggling to understand since day one.. I have autism so I'm having a difficult time working this one out on my own
can anyone help me in explaining how it works or what I need to do?

I've had a smart meter installed so I can see my useage, I'm currently on next flex standard variable rate but I was told fixed rate will be better in the long run, however looking at the tariffs available when I go to choose a tariff the price per unit and standing charge are almost double what I'm currently on and there's only like one fixed rate tariff available to me 🤔

Also the biggy, I'm so confused how you pay bills? Direct debit would be easier for me to just have my bill taken out every month but it's asking me to set up an amount to take & it's confusing me, can't I just have a direct debit set up for them to take my bill out for my actual useage instead of all this estimate & in credit and debit stuff 😭

Id call customer service but with my experience with them before with queries I'd rather seek answers and help here!

[meldrewreborn]

@Starkat
Hi congratulations on your new home.
At the moment fixed price tariffs are very expensive and far above the variable rates which are limited by the price cap. Energy prices are increasing and the next price cap rise in April 2022 is already set in stone.
Bills are paid by a number of methods and most suppliers will offer monthly Direct debit where anticipated charges for the year are spread over 12 equal monthly payments - so you pay the same in summer as you do in the winter. however its almost impossible to get the anticipated monthly amount correct and so you build a a debt or a credit after a while. as you have just moved in you will not be able to estimate you consumption with any degree of accuracy so your supplier should be able to offer you monthly payments by Direct Debit based upon on your actual consumption. This will mean that you never get into arrears but also that your bills will vary from month to month and likely be higher in the winter than summer. Direct Debit tariffs are the most cost effective available, though not by much.

I'd call customer service with a friend listening in. Tell them of your autism - it should make them deal with you appropriately. Explain what you want and take it from there.

[Starkat]

@meldrewreborn thankyou! Yeah I'm happy to have a direct debit set up so they just take my actual useage out regardless of it being higher in the winter than in the summer, I'm used to that being the case coming from prepay because I always put away some extra money for the winter months!
I just don't want to start getting confused with credit and debit etc, I like to just use my electric then pay for it so I know where I'm at with my money every month as I have a system to knowing what money goes where!

All I really want to do is just have a direct debit set up to just take out the amount used every month, I'm hoping they can help me do that!

Seems at the moment I will just stick with variable.. I know it'll rise but seems even the fixed are too 🤔

[Beki]

@Starkat Heya! Beki here. So many congratulations on your new home and thank you so much for coming to the Community. @meldrewreborn is right and this is definitely something that we can do.

With the Flex tariff you can have it so that you pay a variable amount each month, which depends on your usage. You can pop us a message on Facebook/Twitter and one of the team will be able to do this for you. It won't take long once you get through!

I would also ask the Energy Specialist to check that you are on the Priority Services Register to make sure we support you in the correct way.

Will you let us know how you get on? 😊

[Starkat]

@Beki_EONNext hi!

At the moment my account is saying in debit by the amount I've used since the day I moved in, which seems to of just been uploaded today, not yet received a bill though, was wondering if I select make a one off payment to pay it?
I'm new to how all this works
Basically all I'm wanting to do is set up a direct debit to pay each month what I use, instead of the credit and debit stuff with paying the same amount through the months
month
I struggle so direct debit will just ensure I don't forget to pay a bill & paying for my exact useage rather than working out credit and debit stuff will just allow me to manage my money easier

easier!

[Starkat]

I received the bill on my account so I did a one off payment to pay the bill, am I able to call up today to discuss being able to set up a direct debit to just pay my bills each month? Just want to pay for my useage instead of the credit and debit option it seems to just want to offer me when I choose to set up a direct debit on my account 🤔
it's just what works best for me!

[meldrewreborn]

Yes that should be easily doable. Good luck.

[Beki]

@Starkat Definitely, you can also set up a direct debit through your online account.