UK households could be entitled to energy bill refunds averaging £872, with experts urging customers to check their accounts before the end of May.
The process is "so easy" and "only takes five minutes to claim", according to those who have successfully received their money back.
After an unusually mild winter, many bill payers are sitting on hundreds of pounds worth of credit that energy companies won't automatically refund.
With winter now over but bills remaining high, it's an ideal time to review account balances.
With the cost of living still putting pressure on family finances, these unexpected refunds could provide much-needed financial relief for households across the country.
One father-of-three from Basildon, Essex, has revealed how he successfully claimed a substantial energy refund.
Chris Matthewman, 39, discovered he was in credit by £1,100 on his dual-fuel tariff with E.ON that he paid for by direct debit.
He said: "I phoned E.ON and asked if I could take the credit, saying it was my money at the end of the day."
Participating households could be given refunds worth hundreds
GETTYAfter being asked to submit a meter reading, Chris was told he could receive an £872 refund. He contacted E.ON in January and the money was in his bank account three weeks later.
The updated reading also led to his monthly direct debit being reduced from around £200 to £130. The refund proved to be "immensely helpful" for Chris and his partner Tracey.
He said: "At the time, we were in a Debt Management Plan and it was meant to end in September 2024. But with the £872 plus with cutting costs in other areas, we finished it in April 2024. So we saved five months of payments which in turn was about £5,000."
The lump sum had a significant impact on their financial situation, allowing them to clear their debts earlier than planned.
"Having the little impact (of the refund) saved us more in the long run," he added.
Around 15 million households are currently in credit with their energy suppliers, according to new research from Uswitch. Some customers are holding up to £500 in their accounts. Despite this, only 31 per cent of consumers plan to request a refund of their own money.
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Millions are in credit to their energy supplier
PAGordon Wallis, renewable energy expert at heating oil supplier Your NRG said: "Many customers don't realise they're effectively lending money to their energy supplier."
The money-saving platform Nous.co recommends a straightforward "two-thirds rule" to help determine whether households may be eligible for an energy bill refund.
If a customer's credit balance this May exceeds two-thirds of their usual monthly payment, they could be overpaying and should consider requesting their money back. For instance, a household with £400 in credit and a monthly bill of £100 would meet the threshold to seek a refund.
Meanwhile, consumer website MoneySavingExpert.com advises that holding more than one month’s worth of direct debit credit in May is generally enough to justify asking for a refund from an energy supplier.
Nous.co’s research also found that nearly half of homes with traditional energy meters are not submitting regular readings, resulting in estimated bills that could be higher than necessary.
Requesting a refund is simple: customers can contact their supplier directly using details on a recent bill or through their online account
GETTYGreg Marsh, household finance expert and CEO of Nous.co, said: "No one should have a big credit balance built up in their energy account right now. Most suppliers won’t automatically refund you if you’ve paid too much, and could be unfairly holding on to money that you’re owed."
He added that energy companies rely on customers not keeping track of their usage, saying: “Energy companies know how hard it is to stay on top of this stuff, and hope that we just put up with paying more than we need to."
Requesting a refund is simple: customers can contact their supplier directly using details on a recent bill or through their online account.
Energy user Chris Matthewman advised keeping tabs on usage through regular meter readings. "I do a meter reading every couple of months now just to see if we are paying too much or if we’re not paying too much. I would always recommend to do it just so you can have a bit of breathing space."
If a recent reading hasn’t been submitted, suppliers may require one to verify current usage before issuing a refund.
