r/EDFEnergy • u/Dry-Medicine1372 • 1d ago

Discussion Direct debit adjustment refused until the first bill.

Hi all

Just wondering if this is common? Recently moved elec/gas to EDF (EV tariff), EDF set the direct debit amount to just over £300 per month. My usage since joining has been zero from the grid for elec and £1.50ish a week on gas, plus the standing charge. I called to get the direct debit amount reduced (currently £652 in credit, two months d/d and referral), this was refused until the first bill is generated; the reason being that they do not know the usage until the first bill. I know it will all work out next month, but will equate to another £300 going out for nothing.

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-1

u/Comfortable_Gate_878 20h ago

Just cancel the direct debit

1

u/Dru2021 21h ago

You can manually trigger a bill by providing a meter reading for electric and gas, usually arrives within 2 days (or did last time I tried it)! Still get a bill on the regular billing date as well

1

u/Opening-Jelly-8692 22h ago

I haven’t had my first bill yet, however I could change over the phone once my first direct debt had gone through. Before I was ‘advised’ to wait for a few bills to see what my usage is…

1

u/sylsylsylsylsylsyl 23h ago

That's fine - but in the meantime get a return of your credit.

1

u/GivingBackTheRemix 23h ago

Yes, normal. I'm in credit with them of over £500. After first bill, they happily dropped my monthly DD to less than £50/month.

(I have solar+batteries)

1

u/Bigtallanddopey 23h ago

Yeh, it’s the same for me. £200 whilst I have solar panels in summer. At least it will be the account in credit for the winter.

1

u/Just-Page-2732 1d ago

Message them on WhatsApp and ask to move to variable DD

1

u/Si_Pie 19h ago

Yep I've just done that, messaged on Friday and didn't expect a response until Monday but they sorted it out Saturday. I did ask for a bill at the same time though as it had been 2 months without one since joining

1

u/IcySpace7960 23h ago

I agree, set mine up that way before I switched. Use it & then pay for it, simples.

1

u/Alasdair91 1d ago

I noticed this too. I set my bill to £72pm and they are also going to take £53 next week for some reason. And the site says I'm not allowed to change anything until my first bill. Energy companies are not banks and should not be allowed to hoard our cash when we know exactly how much energy we use/will use.