It's a common misconception that energy debts are automatically written off after six years. In fact, there is no time limit on how long an energy company can chase debt. However, six years is the longest that debt can appear on your credit file. This means that if you have an outstanding energy debt from six or more years ago, it will no longer impact your credit score. However, this doesn't mean that you're off the hook.nnEnergy companies can still take legal action to recover any unpaid debts. So if you're struggling to pay an energy bill from several years ago, it's important to get in touch with your provider as soon as possible to discuss your payment options.