EDF charge. Help!

[dgs]

Hi.
Have been with EDF on dual fuel for many years and have been paying £80 per month total by dd.
Had a new boiler installed 6 months ago replacing one that was approx 40 years old expecting to reap the benefits after my latest meter reading.
Imagine my surprise when i saw the bill and it said my monthly payments would increase from £80 to £117.
I couldnt understand it and it wasnt until i questioned how many units i had used on gas the last 6 months and how many for the same time last year. The amount used this time was slightly less than last year!!
I eventually found out that i hadnt spotted on my last annual statement that my tariff was due to end and i would be put on their Standard Variable Rate.
Apparently you have to tell them you want a deal they only have to tell you it reverts back in the annual statement in the small print?
So because of this situation and using slightly less gas i am £197 out of pocket?
Any redress? Or do i just have to lump it?
Change supplier and cut my nose off to spite my face? Any suggestions.
Thankyou for reading this. DGS.

[ostell]

I would suspect that the software that calculates how much you have to pay is slightly (?) suspect. I've just had that argument with British gas. Latest bill said I would be in credit by a small amount at the end of the period. Not believing it (because of the recent cold spell) I upped the monthly DD by £20. The recalculation then said that I would be in arrears by some £300 at the end of the period. Pay more and end up in debit rather that credit, Very strange indeed

Today I had a note that the DD would be put up by almost £60. Quick phone call this morning to tell them to just accept the £20 increase.

Do your own calculation on usage and cost and then work out what you want top pay over the year. Better than that rubbish software. I ended up in credit by some £200 at the end of the last period.

[dgs]

Thankyou for your prompt observations.
Problem is i think what they are saying is the reason for the increase is because i was put back on a standard variable rate of which the tariffs are slightly higher and over the period this has incurred the extra cost even though my gas usage has dropped slightly over the same period? Basically my mistake for not spotting it had reverted back to SVR? A £197 problem for me. Nothing i can do?

[Kati]

slainte caragh ... any ideas??

[slainte caragh]

Thanks for tagging me Kati

I would suggest having a look at the statement itself in the first instance, if it clearly shows the tariff name and cost per unit etc,m there is little EDF can be made to do.

They can automatically change the tariff to the standard variable if you don't inform them that you want to resign, this is due to OFGEM not allowing energy companies to auto-renew a contract. It supposedly gives customers a better deal, as long as your statement shows that you are on a variable tariff they are obeying the law.

That being said....

I would remind them of how long you have been a customer, and tell them of your intention of leaving them.

if you have been disputing this for 8 weeks or more, and have followed their complaints proceedure (the Ombudsman is most particular about this) you can go to the Ombudsman, however my true opinion is that they will say EDF are within their rights to do this.