Direct Debit. Setting up an energy Direct Debit

How to set up a Direct Debit

Before you get started, you'll need to make sure you have an online account set up with us. If not, registering for one is quick and simple.

Benefits of Direct Debit

• Convenience: Automatically pay your energy bills.
• Regularity and Timeliness: With Direct Debit, your payments are always made on time.
• Savings: Gas and electricity unit rates are lower if you pay by Direct Debit, saving you £100¹ in comparison to paying when you get your bill.

Your monthly Direct Debit will be a set amount, although this amount may differ from your bills because households frequently consume more energy in the winter than in the summer. For this reason, we review your account during the year to make sure you won’t end up in too much credit or debit.

We recommend you send us regular meter readings; we'll notify you in advance when they are due. It takes just minutes to submit readings using your app or online account. If we don't receive readings from you, the system will estimate based on your typical energy use, which could result in a higher bill than necessary.

How do you work out my Direct Debit amount?

How do you work out my annual energy cost?

Our calculations predict how much energy you'll use over the course of a year, which we divide by 12. However, you won't use the same amount of energy each month, and will vary between winter and summer.

For example: During the winter your Direct Debit could be set at £180pm but your bills could be higher. In this case, your account would be in debt because your payments did not cover the entire cost of your energy.

We review your Direct Debit occasionally to check you're not paying too much or too little. You'll receive an email or letter, and your online account will provide a breakdown.

You can adjust your Direct Debit payments anytime to match the amount on your bill.

You'll notice the change in your British Gas account on the same day we notify you. But, it will be at least 10 days before the new Direct Debit amount will be deducted from your bank account.

What happens if I miss a Direct Debit payment?

If there is any reason why you think you might not be able to pay at any time, we are here to help and can offer you support.

When a payment is not received, we will try again 14 calendar days later. Your Direct Debit will be automatically stopped if the second payment is also unsuccessful because it looks that there aren't enough funds in your account to cover your energy bills.

After that, we'll switch you over to another payment option so you can pay your energy bill as soon as you get it. Due to the slightly lower rates you receive when paying by Direct Debit, which saves you on average £130 per year, this payment option will alter the rates at which you are charged.

Keep in mind that you will need to pay a one-time fee to settle the debt that you owe.

Can I reduce my Direct Debit amount?

At the moment you can’t reduce your Direct Debit amount online.

We set your Direct Debit payments at a value that will keep you on track to cover your energy costs for the next 12 months.

At each Direct Debit review we will include any under or overpayment you may have made towards your energy and adjust your payments to include this.

Our aim is always to help you spread the cost of your energy throughout the year into 12 equal payments.

If you are struggling to pay please visit our guide for more information on how we can help.

Direct Debit Guarantee

This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits.

If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit, British Gas Trading Limited will notify you 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed.

If you request British Gas Trading Limited to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request.

If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit by British Gas Trading Limited or your bank or building society you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society.

If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when British Gas Trading Limited asks you to.

You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.