Martin Lewis says British Gas, EDF, OVO and EON customers can get £180 today

Martin Lewis, the money-saving expert, has revealed that customers of major energy firms including British Gas, EDF, OVO, Octopus Energy, E. On and Scottish Power could receive as much as £180 directly into their bank accounts right now. Lewis advises that May is the annual period when all energy customers should review their bills and the credit balance on their accounts.

This is due to the fact that those who are overpaying their monthly Direct Debit can easily spot the issue in May, a time when theoretically, your account should be at its most indebted before the summer months push you back into credit. The average refund for those owed money stands at £180. Customers simply need to contact their energy firm to have the payment returned directly into their bank account.

Lewis highlighted that energy companies are currently holding approximately £3 billion of our money, which equates to an average of £180 per household, reports the Express.

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Due to the nature of monthly energy direct debits, the amount paid each month is an average of your usage throughout the year. In winter, you will pay less than you're using, accumulating debt, but in summer you will pay more than you're using, reducing the debt and building up credit.

As May represents the 'bottom' of the cycle, you shouldn't have much credit now since winter has just ended and summer usage is just beginning. Martin advises: "So if you've done an up-to-date meter reading (or your smart meter has), your bill is up to date, and your Direct Debit is the right level, now is the perfect time to see if you've too much energy credit. More than a month's worth right now is certainly a lot, so ask for it back."