Rising energy prices – our update

Existing EDF customers can check the list below to see which tariffs are impacted by the Ofgem price cap increase. We'll be contacting you shortly to tell you what this means for your household.

• Standard (Variable) - customers with credit and prepayment meters

• Deemed credit and prepayment

• Safeguard Assist Capped

• Safeguard Assist Deemed

• Welcome Variable (former Utility Point customers)

• Welcome Standard and Welcome Prepay (former Zog Energy customers)

Existing EDF customers

Our Standard (Variable) tariff is the cheapest tariff today, and you don't need to do anything to stay on this. 

With the energy market as it is at the moment, it isn't easy to find great energy deals anywhere. Of course, this doesn't make it easy for customers, but the choice is down to you.

Sticking on one of our variable tariffs?

The Standard (Variable) tariff is our cheapest tariff today. However, it's expected that prices will rise again in October when the next Ofgem price cap review happens.

Choosing a fixed price energy deal

Fixed prices are more expensive than Standard (Variable) tariffs right now, but they protect against future price rises and may help you save long-term.

If you do decide that you want to pay extra to fix your prices, then all our best-fixed price deals are available online. In addition, some of our fixed tariffs offer customers additional benefits, like our EasyOnline + BoilerCare Gold tariff, with 6 months of boiler maintenance & support plan on us. T&C's apply to this offer.

Existing customers can view all our current available tariffs in MyAccount.

Want us to alert you when energy prices go down? Then, sign up for our price alert emails, and we'll let you know when this happens.

To help, we can give you a smart meter and access to our Energy Hub for free. This service will help you understand how much energy you use, plus give you personalised energy-saving tips and advice.

For Direct Debit customers on our Standard (Variable) tariff, we ask that you review your payments to cover the increased costs that take effect on 1 April. When it comes to Direct Debit, we only review them twice a year. This action should be taken despite the recent news that customers will receive a £200 rebate in October.

Steps to increasing your Direct Debit payments

You can increase your Direct Debit by following the steps outlined in MyAccount.

What happens if I don't increase my Direct Debit payments?

If you don't increase your Direct Debit payments to reflect the price change, you're likely to see higher monthly payments at your next review check-in and could risk going into debt.

What happens if I end up paying too much when I increase my Direct Debits?

If during your next review, we find that you're overpaying for what you're using, we'll adjust your payments and any credit could be refunded.

Other ways we can help our customers at this time 

What happens if I find I'm struggling to pay?

We have lots of ways to help if you're struggling to pay, including;

• Having a smart Pay As You Go meter installed can help manage your energy budget

• Paying less, more often - if you pay your bills quarterly, why not consider changing to monthly bills. You can change your billing frequency in MyAccount

• Extra support through our personalised services, including access to independent advice
   

Want us to alert you when energy prices go down? Then, sign up for our price alert emails, and we'll let you know when this happens.

Yes, it can. The reasons for this are the same for any increase in your monthly Direct Debit payments, which we've listed below. 

Reasons your Direct Debit payment can increase are;

• You've used more energy than expected since your last review. Some reasons your energy usage has increased could be
  Home improvements – adding new rooms or converting loft spaces
  Moving home – to a larger house
  Changes in the way we're working – many of us are working from home more
  Adding things to our homes to make them more comfortable – like air conditioning units, electric patio heaters and hot tubs
   
• We've not had a recent meter reading, so we've had to base previous reviews on estimated meter readings.
• You've updated your energy plan to a new tariff, which is a more expensive tariff, or the variable tariff price cap has increased. It could be your fixed energy tariff has finished, and you've transferred onto our Standard (Variable) tariff.
• Your payments have not covered your energy usage and built up debt on your account.

Your Direct Debit payments can go up even when

You're on a fixed tariff. The price you pay per unit rate is fixed. It doesn't apply to how much energy you use. So, if you use more energy, your Direct Debit amount can go up.

When your account shows as 'credit'. Sometimes during the summer months, your account will show that it's in 'credit' this is because you use less energy over these months.

This 'credit' will usually be used up over the winter months when you use more energy again, so all you're doing is saving up over the summer for your winter energy use. If we carry out your Direct Debit review and find out that your energy usage is more than the Direct Debit amount you're currently paying, we'll still need to adjust your payments to ensure you're covered in the winter months.

If you're on a fixed price tariff, you won't be affected by the rise in the price cap. You're guaranteed no price rises until your fixed tariff ends. When your fixed price tariff ends, you'll be offered a choice to switch to a new fixed tariff or go onto our Standard (Variable) tariff.

We'll always contact you in plenty of time to let you know when your fixed prices are ending and make it easy for you to make an informed choice about the best deal for you at that time.

What should I do when my existing fixed tariff ends?

There are a couple of options for you.

Choose another fixed tariff. A fixed tariff gives you peace of mind against future price rises, as you pay a set price for each unit of energy you use over the lifetime of your contract. It means that when energy prices are going up – as they are now – the unit price you pay stays the same regardless. 

Roll onto our Standard (Variable) tariff

If you don't want to fix your prices. You'll roll onto our Standard (Variable) tariff automatically.

The energy market is very unpredictable right now, with wholesale costs increasing rapidly. This means our fixed price tariffs are currently much more than our Standard (Variable) tariffs. This means anyone trying to switch to us we're unable to give you an online quote. We're very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

If you're an existing customer, the easiest way to see our best available tariffs is by going to My Account.

Want us to alert you when energy prices go down? Simply sign up to our price alert emails, and we'll let you know when this happens.

We appreciate this is a really difficult time. We have lots of ways we can help you if you're struggling to pay. Options include

• Having a smart Pay As You Go meter installed can you manage your energy budget
• Paying less, more often - if you currently pay your bills quarterly why not consider monthly payments by going to MyAccount
• Extra support through our Priority Services, for those who need it
• How to access independent advice and support - visit our help centre
   

Our phone lines are very busy at the minute. We're focusing on helping our more vulnerable customers, and those with emergencies. There are lots of ways you can keep on top of your energy account online including:

• paying bills
• submitting meter reads
• booking a smart meter appointment
• viewing your bills and statements
• choosing your next energy tariff
• Get a better idea of where you use your energy at home. You also get tips to help you save on your energy spend by using our Energy Hub
• extra support through our personalised support services
   

We also have other ways to contact us if you need to.

Our what makes up your energy bill page will explain exactly how your electricity and gas bills are broken down. You can also find out more about how your tariff is broken down and what the different charges mean.