Brits face energy credit cash bomb: 13 million homes owed £1.8 billion by suppliers

• Energy suppliers owe 13 million households a total of £1.8 billion in credit balances — with more than one million bill-payers due over £300[1] 

• The overall figure is £1 million higher than last year[2] despite people using more energy at home during lockdown[3]

• Nearly half of homes (45%) believe they could reclaim £142 in outstanding credit from their supplier[1]

• More than a third of those in energy credit (35%) say their supplier has never been in contact with them to rearrange their direct debit payments[4]

• Four million households are in debt to their supplier after winter, and owe £126 each on average, £15 less than last year[1]

• Uswitch.com is calling on suppliers to review direct debits more regularly to ensure consumers are not overpaying for their energy. 

Energy suppliers owe 13 million households a total of £1.8 billion in credit balances — with more than one million bill-payers due more than £300[1], according to new research from Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service. 

Consumers who pay for their energy by direct debit can often find themselves in credit with their supplier as their monthly payments don’t exactly match their gas and electricity usage. 

Direct debit payments generally stay the same throughout the year, but consumers should be in credit with their supplier following the summer, when they’ve used less energy, and in debt during winter when they’re turning on their heating, and lights, more often. 

But coming out of winter this year, almost half of all UK households (45%) are due a refund from the energy provider, with the average amount worth £142[1] — up £6 on last year[2]. 

The total owed to UK households is £1 million higher than last April[2], despite people using more energy while at home during the pandemic[3].

Additionally, a quarter of energy bill-payers in credit are owed a rebate of more than £200[1] — up from one in ten last year[2]. Some 535,000 households are due more than £500[1]. 

Some credit on the account is useful to have, especially where your energy supplier does not issue a bill every month - it helps with managing the energy bills. But it is important to see how much credit is still outstanding once the bill is settled, as there may be a surplus. 

Not all energy providers automatically issue refunds to customers whose accounts are in credit, meaning any money owed to consumers can go unclaimed for longer than needed. Almost three in five bill-payers (59%) say their energy supplier has never automatically credited their account[5].

Meanwhile, more than a third of those in credit (35%) say their supplier has never been in contact with them to review their direct debit payments[3]. A growing balance can signal that a customer is paying too much each month for their energy.

The energy watchdog Ofgem is consulting on introducing an auto-refund system in which credit balances are automatically refunded to direct debit customers on the anniversary of their tariff starting[6]. Auto-refunds could be useful for many consumers, as almost half (49%) say they do not know how to claim back a credit balance[7]. 

At the other end of the scale, four million households are in debt to their supplier at the end of winter, owing £529 million altogether. The average amount of debt has fallen to £126 this year[3], down from £142 last year[2]. 

Uswitch.com is calling for suppliers to review customers’ direct debit payments more regularly. Consumers can find out how to obtain a refund from their supplier in Uswitch’s guide.

Sarah Broomfield, energy expert at Uswitch.com comments: “At a time when many people’s finances are stretched any windfall would be gratefully received. 

“A growing credit balance can be a sign that a customer’s direct debit is too high - yet a third of those in credit say their supplier has never adjusted their payment.

“It’s clear that Ofgem’s proposal to introduce automatic rebates will benefit a huge number of  consumers, particularly those who do not know how much credit they have, or do not know how to obtain a refund. 

“Many people who have been affected financially by the pandemic may be looking for ways to save money, and it’s worth checking with your supplier to see if you are owed any money following your most recent bill being paid. 

“It’s also important to provide regular meter readings to your energy supplier if you do not have a smart meter. This will make it easier for your supplier to see if you are using less energy than predicted, and they may reduce your direct debit payments. 

“If you are out of contract with your supplier, you could also save yourself money by switching to a cheaper deal.”

Find out how you could save with Uswitch here.