Budget Direct Debit: monthly payment amount

How we set your payment amount

When you first start paying by Direct Debit, we look at your yearly energy use. If you're switching to EDF, you tell us how much energy you use. If you're already with us, we ask you for a meter reading.

We use this information to:

• Estimate how much energy you'll use over the coming year
• Work out what you would pay for that amount of energy
• Divide this by 12 to set your monthly payments

Will my payment amount change?

We review your Direct Debit at least twice a year to make sure your payments cover your energy use for the year.

If the amount of energy you use has changed, we might also have to change your payment amount to keep you on track.

After each review, we let you know if your payments need to go up, down or stay the same.

Other times your payment amount might change

1. When you change tariff (if your new tariff rates are very different to your old rates)
2. When energy regulator Ofgem's price cap change affects your Standard Variable rates
3. When you give a meter reading for the first time in quite a while (and our previous estimated readings for you haven't been accurate)
4. When you make an extra payment (and your next Direct Debit review is more than a month away)

How does my Direct Debit review work?

Please log in to our help centre

You'll find answers for your type of account in our help centre for account numbers that start with 'A'. 

You just need to log in or sign up to MyAccount first – this is where you'll find your help centre.

Go to help centre

How we set your payment amount

When you first start paying by Direct Debit, we look at your yearly energy use. If you're switching to EDF, you tell us how much energy you use. If you're already with us, we ask you for a meter reading.

We use this information to:

• Estimate how much energy you'll use over the coming year
• Work out what you would pay for that amount of energy
• Divide this by 12 to set your monthly payments

Will my payment amount change?

We review your Direct Debit at least twice a year to make sure your payments cover your energy use for the year.

If the amount of energy you use has changed, we might also have to change your payment amount to keep you on track.

After each review, we let you know if your payments need to go up, down or stay the same.

Other times your payment amount might change

1. When you change tariff (if your new tariff rates are very different to your old rates)
2. When energy regulator Ofgem's price cap change affects your Standard Variable rates
3. When you give a meter reading for the first time in quite a while (and our previous estimated readings for you haven't been accurate)
4. When you make an extra payment (and your next Direct Debit review is more than a month away)

How does my Direct Debit review work?