[BEJB]

Our house used to be 2 small cottages, so we have 2 meters. Both cottages are heated by ASHPs. We have a small electric car. We don't use fossil fuels (gas, petrol etc)

I'm having a constant battle trying manage the electricity direct debits I pay. In the summer, when the ASHPs and EV use little, Eon Next drastically cut my direct debit, as though that low use is my 'new normal'. In the winter, when the ASHPs and EV use far more, they panic and drastically raise them.

Obviously, I would much prefer the DD to be relatively constant so I can build up a reasonable amount in the summer to help with the higher bills in the winter - with just the occasional small tweak if needed. But Eon Next's estimation process doesn't seem able to cope with a house and car that doesn't use fossil fuels, and so has a different seasonal profile in electricity use than one that does use fossil fuels.

I just wondered if they are aware of this problem and are doing anything to try to fix it?

[retrotecchie]

@BEJB

I live in an electricity-only house. So do around 20% of E.On Next customers. I've never had a problem with DD levels as I pay by variable direct debit so I only pay for what I use each month.

I tend to use more power in summer as I'm out in the workshop when the weather is nice and giving the power tools a good workout so my energy usage profile is rather untypical too.

I find variable DD is the best way to pay, and my variation form month to month is around +/- 10% so budgeting isn't really a major issue.

If you are absolutely set on fixed monthly payments, I still say the best way to do it is set up a separate bank account and pay in what you think should be your monthly amount, and then let them take the variable DD payments from that.

[meldrewreborn]

@BEJB

The DD should be based on your estimated annualised usage. So it shouldn't need to change much if your cycle of consumption doesn't change much.

Prices though do change and you would expect those to feed into the calculations, if you are on a variable tariff. Prices have been falling substantially in the past 2 quarters but are due to rise again from 1 October.

I would suggest you check the EAC figure on your bills to see whether its accurate. Then call customers services with current readings to hand, and request a direct debit based on your own assessment of annual consumption, current prices, the balance on your account and see where it goes. Its not rocket science, and sensible negotiation can resolve this.

EDIT

I should add that my own gas consumption looks like the teeth of a tiger when graphed, as my thermal solar panel heats my hot water in the summer reducing my gas consumption to near zero. And it doesn't cause me difficulty in setting a DD.

[BEJB]

Many thanks for your replies. It all sounds very sensible - I need to give them a call.

It does seem to me as though there is something awry with my accounts. It is October, and the smaller cottage has an account balance in debt (about -£40). We are just about to slam into the cold months, where the cost of heating is going to rocket and the cost of charging our electric car is going to increase too. But yet they have just halved my monthly payments. The other cottage has a balance of about £250 - but they haven't changed that DD. Far be it from me to say they don't know what they are doing, but .....

Thanks for all your help.

[meldrewreborn]

@BEJB

Just conceivably they could be looking at the two accounts together. But clearly reducing the one in credit and increasing the one in debit would have been more obvious. As said above do your own calculations and then give them a ring. Even if on a fixed tariff currently, you might also find the latest fixed tariffs even less expensive, and certainly less than the normal flex tariff. Might be a worthwhile call!!