If you’ve moved home in the last five years, you could unknowingly be owed money by your old energy supplier. Thousands of households across the UK are sitting on unclaimed credit balances left behind in closed energy accounts. While some may only be due a small amount, others could be entitled to refunds worth hundreds-or even more.
Industry body Energy UK confirms that while many credit balances are returned automatically when an account is closed, refunds are sometimes missed due to outdated contact information or incomplete account closures.
Refunds
Energy companies are required to issue a final bill within six weeks of an account being closed, and if a refund is due, it should be processed within 10 working days. However, if you’ve moved house without updating your contact details or if your account wasn’t properly closed, you may not have received what you’re owed.
Tim Jarvis, director general for retail at Ofgem, said:
“Moving house requires a lot of life admin – and it’s understandable that some things will be missed. But with almost two million closed accounts currently in credit, the message is clear – if you’ve moved in the last five years, reach out to your old supplier.”
Process
If you believe you might have left money behind with an old energy supplier, the advice is simple:
- Look through old emails, letters or bank statements to identify previous providers.
- If you have access to your old energy account, log in and check for any credit.
- If access is no longer available, contact your old supplier directly and request a review.
- Be ready to provide your old address, account number (if available), and updated contact information.
Energy UK also advises keeping your direct debit in place until your final bill has been paid to avoid any issues during the closure process.
Delays
One of the main reasons refunds are delayed is inaccurate or missing contact information. If your energy provider can’t reach you, your credit balance may remain unclaimed. This is particularly common when people switch suppliers during a move or assume the account was automatically closed.
Ofgem says it is working with energy providers to improve transparency and speed up the process of returning money to customers. In a statement, the regulator said:
“We are working closely with Energy UK and energy suppliers to make sure this money is returned to customers quickly.”
Ofgem also noted that it is exploring rule changes that would lead to more accurate billing and better reporting of credit held in closed accounts.
Examples
In many cases, customers may only be due small refunds-such as £10 or £20-but some have discovered significantly more. In rare cases, where accounts have been overpaid for long periods, refunds of £100 or more are not uncommon.
Given the current pressure on household finances and the continued rise in energy bills, even a modest refund can provide much-needed relief. The process of checking takes only a few minutes and could result in a helpful financial boost.
Advice
If you’ve moved within the last five years and never confirmed the closure of your old energy account, it’s worth taking the time to check. There is no official deadline for claiming unreturned credit, but the sooner you act, the easier it may be to retrieve what you are owed.
Make sure to gather any relevant account details and be prepared to verify your identity and address history when contacting your former provider.
FAQs
How do I check if I’m owed money?
Contact your old energy supplier or log into your old account.
How long do refunds take?
Refunds should be processed within 10 working days of the final bill.
What if I can’t access my old account?
Call or email your old provider and give your previous address.
Can I get refunded years after moving?
Yes – there’s no official deadline to claim unreturned credit.
