It might seem strange to owe money on a prepayment meter, since you’re paying for your gas or electricity in advance. But there are several common reasons why debt can still appear—even if you regularly top up.
Here’s a simple explanation of how this happens and what you can do about it.
💡 First, What Is a Prepayment Meter?
A prepayment meter is a type of energy meter where you pay for your energy before you use it, usually by:
- Topping up with a key, card, or smart app
- Paying at shops, online, or by phone
You use credit until it runs out—then the supply may stop unless you top up again.
⚠️ So How Can You Still Owe Money?
1. Emergency Credit Used
When your credit runs low, the meter automatically activates emergency credit (usually £5–£10).
If you don’t top up enough to pay it back, your meter shows a negative balance.
🧾 Example:
You use £5 emergency credit → next time you top up £10, only £5 goes to energy use.
2. Standing Charges Accumulate Daily
Even if you’re not using energy, daily standing charges still apply.
These are fixed fees for being connected to the energy network.
- If you leave the meter untouched for days or weeks, these charges build up in the background
- When you next top up, some of the credit goes to cover this “debt”
⚡ Example: 35p/day x 10 days = £3.50 owed before your credit starts being used for power.
3. Repaying Previous Debt
If you’ve had debt with your energy supplier (even from a previous meter or property), they may have arranged for your prepayment meter to:
- Deduct a small amount from each top-up to pay it off gradually
This is called a debt recovery rate, and you should be told about it when it’s set up.
4. Meter Error or Fault
Sometimes a faulty meter or incorrect setup can cause unexpected debt or charges to appear.
- Standing charges may be too high
- Emergency credit settings may not reset correctly
- There could be leftover debt from a previous tenant if it wasn’t wiped
🔍 How to Check What You Owe
- Press buttons on your meter (usually “A” or “B”) to view:
- Debt balance
- Emergency credit used
- Standing charge rate
- If you have a smart prepayment meter, check your online account or app for breakdowns
🛠 What You Can Do
- Contact Your Supplier
- Ask for a full breakdown of charges or debt
- Request help if you’re struggling to top up
- Ask about grants or payment plans if needed
- Apply for Support
- Some suppliers offer Fuel Vouchers or Hardship Funds
- You may qualify for Warm Home Discount or government energy schemes
- Check the Meter Setup
- If you’ve just moved in, ask the supplier to clear old debt
- Request a meter check if readings don’t make sense
Conclusion
Even with a prepayment meter, you can owe money due to:
- Emergency credit use
- Daily standing charges
- Old energy debts
- Meter setup errors
Always check your meter display, contact your supplier for a full explanation, and don’t hesitate to ask for help—especially if you’re struggling to stay on top of top-ups.
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