Energy giants including British Gas, Octopus and Eon are handing out hundreds of pounds to direct debit customers – but only if they ask. Right now, as summer energy use remains low, many households are sitting on credit worth £200 or more without realising they can claim it back.
The money builds up because direct debit payments are set to spread the annual cost evenly across 12 months. During the warmer months, when heating is off and electricity use falls, actual consumption drops below the payment amount. The difference is kept as credit on the energy account, and it remains there unless the customer takes action.
Why do energy customers have credit on their bills?
Most energy suppliers set monthly direct debits based on estimated annual usage. This means in summer you pay more than you use, and in winter you pay less. The surplus from summer is designed to offset the deficit in winter. However, if the estimates are too high or you use less than expected, the credit balance can grow significantly.
July and August are often the peak months for credit accumulation, especially after a mild winter or if you have reduced your energy consumption through efficiency measures. Yet many customers are unaware that this credit is their own money and that they can request it back at any time. Energy firms do not typically volunteer refunds – you have to ask.
How much money can you claim from British Gas, Octopus or Eon?
There is no fixed limit, but experts suggest leaving enough in the account to cover winter bills. Thomas Drury, a money saving expert at The Investors Centre, explained: "The point of a fixed direct debit is that you smooth out the cost across the year. If you claim back too much in summer, you may simply create a shortfall later when usage goes up again. That can lead to a higher direct debit, a catch-up bill, or pressure at exactly the wrong time."
He suggested that a household with £500 in credit could safely claim £200 back, leaving £300 as a buffer. "If your balance is climbing month after month, that suggests your direct debit may be set too high. That is when it is worth asking your supplier to review it."
Is your energy credit balance normal or too high?
Drury also offered guidance on what to look for. "If you have around one month's payment in credit, that may simply be a normal buffer. If you have two or three months' worth sitting there, especially heading into summer, that is worth questioning," he said.
He added: "For example, a household paying £150 a month with £100 in credit may not need to do anything. But a household paying £150 a month with £500 sitting in the account should ask why the balance is that high."
In the latter case, taking some of the credit back and perhaps reducing the monthly direct debit could give the household immediate cash relief while still leaving a healthy cushion for colder months.
How to ask your energy supplier for a credit refund
To claim the money, contact your supplier directly. Most allow you to make the request through your online account, app, or by phone. You will need to provide a recent meter reading so the supplier can confirm your actual usage and current balance.
Suppliers are expected to refund any excess credit when asked. However, they may also suggest lowering your monthly direct debit instead. This could be a good option if you want to avoid building up the same level of credit again, but it may mean a slightly higher bill later if usage increases.
Remember, the credit in your energy account is your money, not the supplier's. You are entitled to ask for it back, and there is no reason to wait until the end of the year. Checking your balance today, especially if you have been paying the same direct debit amount for several months, could uncover a significant sum that is rightfully yours.
