Budget Direct Debit: six reasons why your payments can go down after a Direct Debit review

Normally, we only change your monthly payments after a Direct Debit review. And that's only if we need to get you back on track to cover your energy costs for the year.

The six common reasons why your payments can go down after a Direct Debit review are set out below. But you can also go to My Direct Debit in MyAccount to find out why your payments have gone down – look for 'Your past reviews' and 'View change'.

See other times your payments can change
 

Why your payments can go down

1. You're using less energy
   Maybe someone's moved out, you're using less appliances at home, or it’s been a mild winter. To keep your payments on track when you've lowered your energy use, we decrease your monthly payments.
    
2. You’ve got too much credit, or too little debit on your account
   This means you’re probably paying too much for your energy. To get you back on track, we decrease your monthly payments.
    
3. We used estimated readings at your last review
   If the estimated readings were too high compared to your actual energy use, you’ll be paying to much. So we put your payments down to get you back on track.
    
4. Your energy prices have gone down
   Your energy costs for the year will go down if your tariff prices drops (as long as your energy use stays roughly the same). To keep you on track with these lower costs, we decrease your monthly payments.
    
5. You've had a discount, credit or refund
   Your discount, credit or refund will have reduced your energy costs for the year. To keep you on track with these lower costs, we decrease your monthly payments.
    
6. We used the wrong meter reading at your last review
   Your payment amount won’t reflect your energy use. Get in touch if the meter reading on your last bill and your current meter reading look very different.

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
 

Normally, we only change your monthly payments after a Direct Debit review. And that's only if we need to get you back on track to cover your energy costs for the year.

The six common reasons why your payments can go down after a Direct Debit review are set out below. But you can also go to My Direct Debit in MyAccount to find out why your payments have gone down – look for 'Your past reviews' and 'View change'.

See other times your payments can change
 

Why your payments can go down

1. You're using less energy
   Maybe someone's moved out, you're using less appliances at home, or it’s been a mild winter. To keep your payments on track when you've lowered your energy use, we decrease your monthly payments.
    
2. You’ve got too much credit, or too little debit on your account
   This means you’re probably paying too much for your energy. To get you back on track, we decrease your monthly payments.
    
3. We used estimated readings at your last review
   If the estimated readings were too high compared to your actual energy use, you’ll be paying to much. So we put your payments down to get you back on track.
    
4. Your energy prices have gone down
   Your energy costs for the year will go down if your tariff prices drops (as long as your energy use stays roughly the same). To keep you on track with these lower costs, we decrease your monthly payments.
    
5. You've had a discount, credit or refund
   Your discount, credit or refund will have reduced your energy costs for the year. To keep you on track with these lower costs, we decrease your monthly payments.
    
6. We used the wrong meter reading at your last review
   Your payment amount won’t reflect your energy use. Get in touch if the meter reading on your last bill and your current meter reading look very different.