Are you paying too much for your electricity and gas bills? A lot of homes might have extra money with their
energy
supplier and not realise it. With energy prices going up, it’s essential to make sure you’re not being charged too
much. Here’s how to find out if you can get a refund and how to keep your energy account in
check.
Why Overpayments Happen with Direct Debit Payments
About 70% of UK homes pay for their energy using monthly direct debit. This method is easy, but energy companies
often charge based on estimated usage instead of actual readings. As a result, this can cause people to be
overcharged or undercharged during the year.
During the summer months, households usually use less energy. This can lead to a small amount of credit building
up
on your account. In winter, when energy use goes up, this credit balance helps to pay for the higher usage. But
if you notice that your credit balance keeps growing, it could mean you are paying too much.
How to Check Your Energy Account for Overpayments
The first step to see if you are paying too much is to send your energy supplier regular meter readings. Sending
accurate bills based on your real usage can help avoid estimated charges. You can use your electricity meter or
gas
meter to take a date meter reading. Then, you can submit it using your supplier’s online account or app.
If your energy account has a credit balance that stays the same in winter, you can ask your supplier for a
refund.
You can also ask them to change your direct debit payments. If the credit is large, you can request to lower your
monthly direct
debit.
If you feel you've been paying too much for energy, here's what to do:
Contact your current supplier. Ask them to explain why you have overpaid. Ofgem, the UK’s
energy regulator, requires them to provide this information.
Request a refund for any extra credit on your account if you feel you won’t need it for future energy use.
If you are switching to a new supplier, your final bill should show any remaining credit from your previous
supplier. Make sure the final bill is correct. If you are owed any credit, ask for it back.
How Smart Meters Help with Accurate Bills
Installing a smart meter is a great way to make sure you pay for only the energy you use. A
smart meter sends your usage data to your electricity supplier in real time. This helps to prevent extra charges
that come from estimates.
Benefits of a Smart Meter
Accurate bills: You will only pay for what you actually use, no more guessing.
Monitor your energy use: Smart meters show you how much energy you spend. This lets you
change
your habits to save money on your future bills.
Steps to Avoid Overpayment on Your Energy Bills
To not pay too much, do these easy steps:
Submit meter readings often: Don’t wait for estimated bills. Giving actual readings
helps avoid paying too much.
Check your credit balance: Look at your account regularly to make sure your credit balance
isn’t getting too high.
Change suppliers if needed: Use a comparison tool to find better prices. Energy customers can
save money by switching to a cheaper supplier.
What if You Have a Dispute with Your Supplier?
If your energy supplier will not give you a refund for an overpayment or change your bills, you can take action.
Contact the energy ombudsman. The energy ombudsman can look into your complaints and help you get back any money
you
were overcharged on your energy bills.
Organisations like Citizens Advice Consumer Service can help you understand how to settle issues with energy
suppliers.
Switching Energy Suppliers to Save More
Switching energy suppliers is a fast way to save on your energy bills. Many people see that their current
supplier
does not give the best deal. By checking prices from different providers, you can find a new supplier with lower
rates. If you use a prepayment meter, you can also switch suppliers, but you might have fewer choices.
When you switch suppliers, check that your final bill from the previous supplier shows any leftover credit. If it
does not, be sure to ask for a refund if you need to.
FAQs on Getting Refunds on Energy Bills
What should I do if my energy bill is based on an estimated bill?
Submit a real meter reading to your supplier. This way, your bill will show your exact usage. Estimated
bills
might lead to overcharging. By giving an accurate reading, you can stop this from happening.
How can I request a refund for overpaid energy bills?
Contact your electricity supplier or gas supplier to check your account. If you have a credit
balance, ask for a refund or see if they can change your monthly direct debit.
Can I get a refund if I switch energy suppliers?
Yes, when you switch to a new supplier, your old provider must send you a final bill. If you have
any credit left in your account, it should be refunded to you.
How does the energy ombudsman help with disputes?
If you are having a hard time getting a refund or fixing a billing problem, reach out to the energy
ombudsman for help. They can look into your case and assist you in getting back any money that you
are owed.
Is it worth installing a smart meter to avoid overpayment?
A smart meter gives you accurate, real-time information about your energy use. This helps to make
sure you get billed correctly. It also lowers the chances of paying more than you should.
We use cookies to provide the best possible user experience and maintain a secure environment. Some cookies are essential for the proper functioning and security of our website, enabling core features like processing your comparison queries and accessing your rewards. We also employ optional cookies for advanced analytics, tracking, advertising, testing, and performance optimisation.
By clicking 'Accept All', you consent to our use of all cookies. If you click 'Reject All', we will only use the necessary cookies required for the site to function securely. For more control over your cookie preferences, click 'Let Me Choose' to customise which optional cookies you're comfortable with. To learn more about the specific types of cookies we use, please visit our comprehensive
Cookie Policy.
Manage your cookies preferences.
Please select and accept your cookie preferences:
These essential cookies ensure the proper functioning and security of the website and app. They enable core features and services without collecting personal information for tracking or advertising purposes.
These cookies provide insights into how customers interact with our website and app. The aggregated and anonymous data collected helps us understand the usage of our products and services, enabling us to identify areas for improvement and optimise your browsing experience.
These cookies help us present products, services and offers that are most relevant to you. We may use the data collected by these cookies to personalise the advertisements you see on our website and other platforms, ensuring a more tailored browsing experience.
These cookies allow our website and app to remember your preferences, such as your region, country, language, accessibility options, and other settings. By enabling these cookies, we can provide you with a more personalised and convenient browsing experience tailored to your specific needs.
These cookies are used when we advertise on social media platforms. They allow these platforms to recognise you as one of our users and display relevant ads to you on our behalf. When you use your social media account to log in to our services, these cookies may also be used by the platforms to collect information about your behaviour for personalised advertising purposes.
