A MARTIN Lewis fan has revealed how she clawed back £600 after using one of the consumer champion's money-saving tips.
The MoneySavingExpert.com reader got the cash boost after asking her firm to repay what she was owed in energy credit.
If you pay for your energy by direct debit, most firms take the annual cost of your bill and divide it by 12 which means some parts of the year you are in credit and others debt.
But because the monthly payments are estimated, it can mean you end up being in too much credit at certain times of the year.
You can ask for it to be repaid though, meaning you could get a giant lump sum back.
How to tackle thorny first date subjects… and why you should watch the waiter
Of course, it's sensible to leave a bit of credit in your account in the run up to the winter months, when you spend more.
However, Martin Lewis' MSE previously said the best time to ask for credit back is around May, when your energy debt is likely to have stopped rising after the colder months.
And in its latest newsletter, a reader's story was shared revealing how they recently used the tip to claw back £600.
The reader, known only as Amelie, branded the MSE trick "next level" and said the refund was issued within days of asking for it.
She said: "Thanks for your detailed explanations on gas and electricity and what time of year it makes sense to be in credit and debt.
"My partner and I were able to secure a £600 repayment.
"Of course, our supplier at first suggested leaving the money in our account and only after I explained to them why it didn't make sense did they say 'OK'."
How to ask your supplier for credit back
You will first want to make sure your energy firm has the most up-to-date meter reading for you.
If you've got a smart meter, this will likely be sending regular readings to your firm so you won't have to take a meter reading.
If your meter readings are up-to-date and if you have been in credit for more than one month, ask your energy firm to reimburse you.
Secret way Tesco staff bag freebies & it’ll have you desperate to work there
Each energy supplier has its own process for issuing customers with credit refunds.
For example, British Gas says it will issue you a refund if you have been billed in the last 14 days and you are not switching to another firm.
If these apply, it refunds you your credit balance within 10 working days.
Octopus Energy says if you've got more credit on your account than you need, you can request any excess back.
But you need to have had an energy bill based on real meter readings in the 14 days before requesting a refund.
How to challenge an unfair direct debit
If you pay your energy bill by direct debit, then it is assumed that this monthly amount should be "fair and reasonable".
If you don't think it is, you can complain directly to your supplier in the first instance.
If you're not happy with the outcome you can take it to the independent Energy Ombudsman to dispute, but there are a few steps before you get to that stage.
Your supplier must clearly explain why it's chosen that amount for your direct debit.
If you've got credit on your account, you have every right to get it back - although some experts recommend keeping it there through the summer, so your bills don't go up in the winter when you use more energy.
Your supplier must refund you or explain exactly why not otherwise the regulator, Ofgem, can fine suppliers if they don't.
If you are disputing a bill, taking a meter reading is a must.
If it's lower than your estimate, you can ask your provider to lower your monthly direct debit to a more suitable amount.
But beware so you don’t end up in debt later on with a bigger catch-up bill at the end of the year from underpayments racking up.
If you don't have success in negotiating a lower payment then you can put in a complaint to the Energy Ombudsman.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
