Households are trying lots of tricks to save energy, from turning down their boiler flow turning down their boiler flow to swapping the tumble dryer for a heated clothes airer.

But for those on a fixed rate deal, or paying based on estimates, their hard work may not be paying off as energy suppliers charge the same each month, or bill based on an educated guess.

That’s why many try to pay their bills based on actual usage. It may mean fluctuations in outgoings between summer and winter, but users who do this can keep track of their spending more accurately. It can also mean cheaper bills during the summer – particularly helpful if other outgoings could be expected.

However, there are few energy companies who offer quarterly payments by direct debit, regardless of whether that is based on estimates or actual usage, our research found.

There are three ways direct debit energy bills are calculated:

• Budget: An energy usage estimate is split equally into 12 monthly payments

• Weighted: An energy usage estimate that sees bills in autumn/winter slightly higher than bills in spring/summer months.

• Variable: Billed for the exact amount of energy used. This is more often than not monthly, rather than quarterly.

A NimbleFins reader contacted us to ask us if any energy companies offered quarterly payments based on actual usage, and informed us of a little-known hack.

Out of the 16 energy providers we investigated, 13 offered Variable direct debit payments based on actual usage at the time of writing.

Our reader picked EDF for his energy supplier as it offered Variable payment based on actual usage. But online the provider did not show a quarterly billing option. However after speaking to them on the phone, he was able to switch from monthly to quarterly billing. Therefore even if you don’t see a quarterly payment option available, it could be worth calling a company to make the request in case you can be successful that way.

READ MORE:

• How direct debit energy bills are calculated and which providers offer which payment options

• Thousands of Britons miss out on £50m in energy bill help

• Average Cost of Electricity per kWh in the UK