Thousands of households are owed £120 by their energy supplier – here is how to claim it back
Comparison website Uswitch has calculated that energy suppliers owe 11 million customers £1.3billion for energy they have paid for but didn't use
THOUSANDS of UK households could be entitled to a £120 refund for energy that they didn't use this winter.
People who pay for their gas and electricity by direct debit could have paid extra because their bills aren't accurate.
Price comparison website found that 40 per cent of UK households are owed an average of £121 each from energy suppliers.
Direct debits, which are a set amount each month, are decided based on meter readings, whether you have a smart meter, the size of your house and how many people live in it.
These figures aren't always always accurate and households can end up paying for more energy than they use.
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Customers paying by direct debit can often be in credit with their bills money in the warmer summer months but use this up in winter.
But two thirds of UK homes made an effort to use less energy and reduce their bills this winter so there could be a windfall coming your way.
Nearly one in 10 households who are owed money for their energy could be in for a refund of over £200.
How to reclaim money from your energy supplier.
Different energy suppliers have their own way of repaying you for the energy you paid for but didn't use.
British Gas: British gas will automatically refund you if they owe you more than £75, as long as you give them a meter reading. If they owe you less than £75 you can still request a refund.
E.ON: You need to send E.ON a meter reading to prove you have paid too much money. They may also change your direct debit to stop this happening again.
EDF: EDF require you to send a meter reading to prove you have paid too much.
npower: At the end of the year if you are owed more than £5 you will automatically be reimbursed. Once again, you will need to provide a meter reading.
ScottishPower: If you are owed more than one months payment or over £75 at the end of the year you will automatically be refunded if you provide a meter reading.
SSE: You need to contact SSE to get a refund form and send over a meter reading.
First Utility: After the end of the first year with First Utility you will be refunded if you are owed more than £10.
OVO: If you have been with OVO for more than 90 days and have an active debit card any money you owe will earn you 3-5 per cent interest. The account must have enough credit to cover one direct bebit payment, plus an extra £25 to request a refund. A recent meter reading will need to be provided.
Many energy suppliers don't automatically refund you this money.
Nearly 55 per cent of bill payers have to ask their energy company to reclaim any money owed.
And only three out of the big six suppliers refund this money automatically, others energy companies require customers to call, go online or fill out a form.
If you are unsure who provides your energy, here is how to find out who your energy supplier is and how you can cut the cost of your bills.
Shona Eyre, uSwitch.com energy expert, said: “Before reclaiming any credit, make sure you provide a meter reading."
"As a bare minimum, households should do this four times a year. Once at the start of each season is a good way to remember."
"With around 11 million energy customers likely to be in credit, households should check their account right now."
"If you’re one of those owed money, then you can choose to leave it where it is as a buffer for next winter or claim it back and spend it on something you really want.";
A planned merger between Npower and SSE could create less competition in the energy market and make energy bills more expensive for customers.
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