It could be well worth contacting your energy supplier (Image: damircudic via Getty Images)
Energy bills continue to make up a huge chunk of household outgoings across the UK, as the cost of living crisis groans on.
But many bill payers may not know they could be sitting on a potential hidden windfall.
Ofgem, the energy regulator, is reminding bill payers that they can reclaim credit from their suppliers at any time. Whether you’ve been with the same provider for years or have recently switched, there’s a chance you’re due money that rightfully belongs to you.
Ofgem posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Do you have credit on your energy account?
“It’s good to learn how account balances work, why it might be a good idea to build up credit and how to get a refund if you think your current or previous supplier owes you money.”
A credit balance arises when you’ve paid for more energy than you’ve actually consumed. This typically occurs if you pay a fixed monthly Direct Debit, as you often build up a “buffer” during the warmer summer months to cover the additional heating needed in winter.
Do you have credit on your energy account?
It’s good to learn how account balances work, why it might be a good idea to build up credit and how to get a refund if you think your current or previous supplier owes you money.
You can find out more here: https://t.co/eNOx0DHmYm pic.twitter.com/1fXS5dxYRU
— Ofgem (@ofgem) March 17, 2026
However, credit can also accumulate if your supplier has overestimated your bills due to a lack of regular, accurate meter readings.
If you’re still with your supplier, you can request a refund of your credit balance at any time.
While many firms review accounts annually and automatically refund money, you’re not required to wait for them to initiate action. Ofgem states that suppliers must refund you promptly unless they have “reasonable grounds” not to.
Before submitting a claim, however, it’s worth considering whether you wish to retain that financial buffer to help manage your energy costs during the colder months.
To make sure you receive the most precise picture of your balance, make certain you submit a current metre reading.
Read more: DWP cost of living support as families could be due help with energy bills
Read more: Heating oil households hit with extra charges on top of huge bill surge
Closed accounts
If you’ve recently switched suppliers or moved house, you may have left money behind. This also applies if you’re settling the estate of a deceased relative.
Under Ofgem’s ‘guaranteed standards’ suppliers must meet strict deadlines when you close an account. They have:
- six weeks from a switch to automatically send a final bill
- 10 working days from a final bill to automatically refund a credit balance
If suppliers breach a standard they must compensate you. You can also contact them to claim a refund.
Compensation
If your previous supplier fails to meet these timeframes, they don’t just owe you your money back – they may also owe you compensation. If a supplier breaches these standards, they must compensate you.
Should they fail to pay that compensation within 10 working days of identifying the breach, they could owe you a further £40, or £30 if the breach occurred before January 2, 2025.
How to claim
If you believe you’re owed money, the first step is to contact your supplier. For active accounts, check your most recent bill or log into your online account to view your balance.
For closed accounts, you should contact your former provider. It’s helpful to have your old account number or the property address to hand.
