See how we calculate your Direct Debit amount and why it might change over the course of your contract.
When you join OVO, we work out how much energy we think you’ll use over the year. This is calculated taking into account factors like the size of your home and what you’ve used in the past. Then we divide that cost by 12 to work out your monthly payment.
We review your Direct Debit to make sure you are not paying too much or too little for the energy you’re using.
When we first work out your Direct Debit amount, we calculate a monthly sum to make sure that, when your OVO contract ends, you’ve paid for all the energy you’ve used.
We don’t want your payments to stray too far away from this target. That’s why, as the year passes, we’ll review your Direct Debit regularly, to make sure it’s on track to cover your energy bills – but without building up too much credit.
If you use less energy than your monthly payment amount, you’ll build up credit on your account. This’ll help to pay for your future energy costs when you use more over the winter – and you’ll also get our 3% OVO Interest Reward (rising to 5% in year 3) on any credit you’ve got.
We change your Direct Debit if you’re not paying enough cover the energy you’re using – or if you’re using less than we thought you might.
If your Direct Debit goes up, it’s because you haven’t been paying enough to cover the cost of the energy you’re using, and we’re making sure you don’t build up a debit balance. You can help to make sure your Direct Debit’s correct by giving us regular meter readings – once a month is ideal.
Staying in the black is a good idea for a number of reasons. As well as covering your winter spend, you’ll also have the flexibility to change suppliers. Being in debt to an energy company makes it harder to switch to a cheaper supplier, which means a less competitive energy market and higher bills. So we encourage you to stay on track.
Everything you need to know about Direct Debit reviews.
See how you can set up your new direct debit or edit your existing details.
Find out everything you need to know about Direct Debits – and every other way to pay.
It’ll depend on where you are in your contract, as we use different calculations for the first nine months of your plan, and the last three months.
0-9 months into your plan?
We look at the amount of energy we think you’ll use until the end of your contract, and subtract your current positive balance (if you’re in debt, we add it on). Then we divide the total by the number of Direct Debit payments left.
This gives us your monthly Direct Debit amount (we aim to get your balance to zero by the end of your contract).
Here’s an example of a Direct Debit review in April 2016:
9-12 months into your plan?
We add up the amount of energy we think you’ll use until the end of your contract, and the energy we think you’ll use for the 12 months after your contract. Then we subtract your current balance.
Next, we divide the total by the number of payments you have left (that’s the months left on your current plan, plus 12 more). Our plan is to get your balance to zero by the end of your next contract, if you decide to stay with us.
Just so you know, if you renew or roll onto Simpler Energy, our variable-rate plan, we’ll review your Direct Debit again as the rates will be different.
Here’s an example of a Direct Debit review in April 2016:
Paying in advance by Direct Debit helps us keep our costs down and means we can buy your gas and electricity in advance. We then pass these savings back to you in our great value plans.
More broadly speaking, there are benefits to staying in credit. Being in debt to an energy company makes it harder to switch to a cheaper supplier, which means a less competitive energy market and higher bills.
We’re trying to make things better. Having a credit balance gives you the flexibility to change suppliers.
Find out everything you need to know about Direct Debits – and every other way to pay.
Discover the different elements that make up your energy bill.
Find out ‘what’ to do and ‘where’ to get support when you can’t pay your bills.
Find out how to get one if your balance is too high.
Discover what they are – and why we send them.
Discover what it is, how to claim it – and lots of other helpful stuff.
Find out how to read your OVO energy bill – and what all the different bits mean.
OVO Interest Reward is where we pay you interest on your credit balances.
Find out what it is, how you get it – and everything in between.
Find out what they are, how you qualify – and everything else you need to know.
Find out how to get a copy of your statement – and how to ‘go paperless’.
From what they are and how to apply, to everything else you need to know.
No problem. Help is right here!
Everything you need to know about Direct Debit reviews.
See how you can set up your new direct debit or edit your existing details.
Discover how much you can save when you manage your OVO account completely online.
OVO Energy Ltd, registered office 1 Rivergate Temple Quay Bristol, BS1 6ED, company no. 06890795 registered in England and Wales, VAT No. 100119879
Additional terms and conditions
Please see below for full terms and conditions on 33% renewable electricity, 3-5% interest rewards, exit fees and saving claims.
1Monthly cost - Representative monthly direct debit costs based on a non-economy-7, dual-fuel, medium user (3100 kWhs elec. and 12500 kWhs gas) paying in advance by direct debit, including online discount. All rates correct as of 20/3/2018, but may go up or down.
2Weekly cost - Representative weekly costs based on a non-economy-7, dual-fuel, medium user (3100 kWhs elec. and 12500 kWhs gas). All rates correct as of 22/11/2017, but may go up or down.
3Pay Monthly Savings claims: Saving based on the estimated annual cost of Simpler tariff for a non-economy-7, dual-fuel, medium user (3100 kWhs elec. and 12500 kWhs gas) paying monthly in advance by direct debit, including online discount. Comparisons made against the average of the Big 6 standard variable tariffs with equivalent features. All rates correct as of 20/3/2018.“The Big 6” are British Gas, Scottish Power, SSE, Npower, E.ON and EDF.
4Pay As You Go Savings are based on the average estimated annual costs for new PAYG OVO customers quoted through the OVO website (based on household and/or consumption information provided by those customers), compared to their current supplier and tariff. Comparisons taken between 01/01/2016 and 11/10/16. Incl VAT. Actual savings may vary according to your current supplier or tariff, individual tariff options, household information, consumption and location.
We include almost twice as much renewable electricity as the national average: At least 33% of electricity in all of our tariffs comes from renewable sources. The national average, according to Ofgem as at March 2014 was 16.7%. For more information please visit this page.
33% of your electricity comes from renewable sources: 33% renewable electricity as standard as of 1st April 2015. Renewable electricity is generated from wind, solar, geothermal, wave, tidal, hydro, biomass, landfill gas, sewage treatment plant gas and biogas.
OVO Interest Rewards: Interest Rewards are paid on credit balances of customers paying by monthly Direct Debit. It is calculated at 3% in your first year, 4% in your second year and 5% in your third year (and every year thereafter) if you pay by Direct Debit. Interest Rewards are paid monthly based on the number of days you’re in credit and the amount left in your account after you’ve paid your bill. Full terms apply: https://www.ovoenergy.com/terms
95% of new customers save when switching to OVO: Savings based on the average estimated annual costs for all new OVO customers quoted through the OVO website, compared to their current supplier and tariff. Comparisons taken between 01/05/2016 and 11/10/16. Incl VAT.
94% of surveyed customers would recommend us: OVO conducted a survey of their customers in between 1st January 2016 and 15th April 2016. Out of 15,312 customers who responded, over 94% rated OVO 6+ when asked 'how likely would you be to recommend us to a friend and family, on a scale of 1 to 10.
uSwitch's Energy Supplier of the Year 2017: OVO energy was voted and awarded 'Energy Supplier of the year' and best for: Overall Customer Satisfaction, Most Likely to be Recommended, Value for Money, Best Deal for You, Customer Service, Billing Services, Energy Efficiency, Meter Services, Online Services, Green Services and Transfer Process. OVO Energy scored a 96% customer satisfaction score.
* EV - Everywhere, full terms and conditions: https://www.ovoenergy.com/ev-everywhere/terms
* OVO SolarStore (Beta), full terms and conditions: https://www.ovoenergy.com/ovo-solar-store/terms