Prepayment price cap - decrease in prices
If you’re on a variable prepayment tariff, or you’ve signed up to a fixed prepayment tariff between 12 May 2016 and 31 March 2017, you’ll see a decrease in your prices. To benefit, top up and insert your key or card into your meter on or after 31 March 2017.
The prepayment price cap is one of the first major industry changes to come out of the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) investigation. It will provide valuable support to customers who are currently limited in their choice of tariffs.
Ofgem is responsible for the cap and the level will be updated on 1 April and 1 October each year until 2020. We’re required to make sure that your charges don’t exceed the level of the cap announced. The price cap is temporary and is due to expire at the end of 2020, when the smart meter rollout is expected to be complete.
We’re working to help customers better understand the energy market and will continue to offer competitive fixed-price alternatives. Our fixed prepay tariff has been the cheapest of the major suppliers for the majority of the past year and we aim to continue this.
We haven’t just waited for this CMA remedy to come into force. We took action on 6 January 2017 to reduce our prepayment variable gas prices by 12.9%. This helped benefit 200,000 prepayment meter customers during the coldest months, when gas consumption is at its highest.
To benefit from the prepayment price cap and pick your reduced prices, don’t forget to top up and insert your key or card into your meter on or after 31 March 2017.
Keep track of what you use and spend if you have a prepayment meter
Why choose EDF Energy Pay As You Go?
EDF Energy prepayment meters help you to manage your energy use and control your spending. Prepayment meters allow you to use energy on a pay as you go basis and can be topped up with a key or card. You can add funds to your prepayment key or card at any PayPoint, Payzone outlet or Post Office.
- You control how much energy you use and how much you spend – meaning you won’t have to worry about overspending on energy
- No need to submit any meter readings and you won’t receive any quarterly bills
- Emergency credit facility gives you peace of mind
- Pay the same for gas and electricity as our billed customers
- A great way to pay off outstanding energy bills
A few things you need to remember:
- If you leave home for several days, you must remember to charge your key or card, and credit your prepayment meter. This is because your credit is used to pay for a standing daily charge, as well as your daily energy use and any debt repayments. If you don’t charge your meter enough before going away, your credit may run out and any appliances you’ve left on (e.g. freezers) may switch off.
- Always use the prepayment key or card supplied by EDF Energy. Using a key or card from a different supplier means you won’t be able to take advantage of our great prices. We also won’t be able to offer you the great tariffs and discounts available to prepayment electricity customers.
- Please only use a PayPoint, Payzone outlet or Post Office to charge your key or card.
- Always decline any offer to buy prepayment credit on your doorstep. There have been reports of fraudulent activity, where prepayment electricity meter customers have been offered discounted top up credit by individuals posing as doorstep sellers. This credit is illegal and is not authorised by EDF Energy. Any customer identified as having bought illegal prepayment credit will still be liable to their energy company for the full credit value – in effect causing them to have to pay twice, once to the unauthorised salesperson and then the full amount again to the supplier.
- Make sure to read our energy supply Terms and Conditions before getting started.
- As of 1 November, if you’re using a prepayment meter to pay a debt then provided it’s under £500 you can switch energy suppliers and transfer the debt. Remember you will have to carry on using a prepayment meter with your new supplier until your debt is paid off.
How does it work?
Once your prepayment meter has been installed and we’ve sent you your free energy key or card, EDF Energy prepayment couldn’t be easier. See our guide on how to use your prepayment meter.
How it works
Top up your prepayment card or key at a PayPoint, Payzone outlet or at your nearest Post Office. Remember to keep your receipt as proof of purchase and if it carries a ‘Credit Failed’ message ask the retailer to check why your card or key hasn’t been credited. Depending on where you live, you can top up any amount from £1 to £250 at a time.
Once you’ve topped up, put your charged card or key into your prepayment meter. It will only work in your meter and will show you how much money you have left, how much energy you’ve used and what your current meter reading is.
Remember: never buy credit from a door-step seller – it’s illegal.
Where to charge your energy card or key
Always top-up from recognised PayPoint, Payzone outlets or Post Office. Hand in your card or key and pay for the amount you want to credit. Remember to keep your receipt as proof of purchase and if it carries a ‘Credit Failed’ message ask the retailer to investigate why your card or key hasn’t been credited.
Never purchase credit from a door-step seller – it’s illegal. We are aware of individuals posing as door-step sellers, selling prepayment credit for approximately half the price of the amount of electricity offered. However, this credit is illegal and is not authorised by EDF Energy. Any customer identified as having bought illegal credit will still be liable to their energy company for the full credit value – in effect paying twice, once to the unauthorised salesperson and then the full amount again to the supplier. Only the unauthorised door-step seller will benefit.
If you can’t charge your energy card or key
If you can’t get to a PayPoint, Payzone outlet or Post Office and your meter runs low (listen for the warning bleep sound) you can use emergency credit by putting your card or key into the meter. If you have problems charging your card or key don’t wait until your energy fails – get in touch with us on 0800 015 1733. We’re here Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 8am to 2pm.
Stay safe
Only use emergency credit if you really have to. If your electricity supply goes off, make sure you switch off all electrical equipment before you recharge your meter. If you run out of credit on your gas supply, switch off all gas appliances and follow the instructions and prompts on your gas meter.
Lost or damaged energy cards or keys
If you lose or damage your card or key, simply get in touch with us we’ll replace it free of charge. If you need a second replacement we may charge you.
Get a quote
A prepayment meter will help you keep track of what you use and spend. Get an online quote now.
Supporting our customers
We're continuing to work hard to give our customers the right support when they need it through our Personalised Support Service.
If you’re worried about bills, struggling to manage your finances, need help with things like reading your meter or you want to make sure you’re not missing out on any extra income, we can provide the support you need.