Energy bill boost: Could you be owed £100s without even knowing it?

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Thousands of households could be sitting on a secret cash stash — and it’s all thanks to unused credit on their energy accounts. Energy customers who pay by direct debit often build up extra credit, especially during the warmer months when gas and electricity use drops. But many people have no idea they could be entitled to a refund — sometimes worth hundreds of pounds.



Uswitch has sounded the alarm, warning that around £1.5 billion of customers’ money could be tied up with suppliers. That’s roughly £206 per household on average.

Some unlucky customers have even seen their credit swallowed up when their supplier went bust, although protections have improved since. So how do you get your hands on it? It’s simpler than you might think. Under Ofgem rules, energy companies must refund any requested surplus unless there’s a very good reason not to.

If you’re in credit, you can ask for your money back — and your supplier must cough up. Suppliers usually check accounts annually, but if you think you’re owed cash, you don’t have to wait. Contact your provider directly, armed with your most recent meter reading to back up your claim.

Some companies even let you request refunds through their online account. While you’re checking for hidden refunds, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re not paying too much in the first place. The free Switcheroo comparison tool makes it easy to see if you could switch to a cheaper tariff — saving you even more in minutes.

Click here to check your options today. Co-op Energy explains that being “in credit” simply means you’ve paid more than you’ve used, often to cover future bills, but if the balance becomes too high, you’re within your rights to request it back. You can read Co-op Energy’s advice and check your refund options here .

Utility Warehouse also stresses the importance of keeping an eye on your energy balance — not just for refunds, but to make sure you’re always on the best deal for your household. UW offers a single bill for all your utilities, helping customers stay on top of their usage and avoid hidden costs. Find out more about switching to Utility Warehouse here .

Midway through checking balances and refunds? It’s the perfect moment to take five minutes and scan the market for cheaper deals. Many households can save hundreds with just a quick switch. The Switcheroo tool shows side-by-side tariff comparisons — click here to start saving now.

Meanwhile, Ecotricity — the UK’s original green energy supplier — highlights how easy it is for customers to track usage and payments through their online accounts, helping you stay in control of your balance. If you want your energy to be greener as well as fairer, check out Ecotricity here and see how switching could cut your carbon footprint without hassle. So Energy is another standout choice for households wanting affordable renewable energy.

With a focus on simple tariffs and 100% green electricity, So Energy customers can monitor their payments easily — and stay in control of any credit building up. Click here to find out more about switching to So Energy — it could be a smart move for both your wallet and the planet. Be warned: if you’re about to hit high-usage winter months, it might be worth leaving some credit in place to avoid bigger direct debits later on.

But if you’re confident you’re sitting pretty, it’s your money — so claim it. Octopus Energy says it automatically pays out if customers are more than £50 in credit for too long — but not all firms are so proactive. And if your supplier refuses without a good reason? Take it to the Ombudsman — you could win not just your refund but extra compensation too.

In a cost-of-living crisis, every penny counts. It’s well worth checking — your hidden energy fortune could be just a phone call away. Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to NorthernIrelandWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

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