Energy bills have gone up again & are expected to do so further next year. So we have put this short BLOG together to help you know exactly what you’re being charged for and what to do if you think you’ve been overcharged,
What is included in your energy bill?
-Firstly, reading your bills may well be obvious to some, but if you have never been responsible for your own energy bills before then its expected you may need some guidance. So please read on …..you won’t know unless you are given the information.
✅You should see basic information such as your name and address. Check this is right as you don’t want to end up paying a bill that doesn’t belong to you.
✅Another way to identify if a bill is yours is by checking your customer account or reference number.
✅Your bill should include serial numbers for your gas and electricity meters, known as Meter Point Administration Numbers (MPAN).
✅There should then be a record of your meter readings.- It is important to look at this, so you know how often your supplier is checking your usage. This will ensure you’re being charged accurately.-If you have a smart meter, this should be done automatically for you – but mistakes can happen.
✅If you don’t give your supplier meter readings, they’ll send you estimated bills . This means you could end up being overcharged. It’s so important to get into the habit of reading your meters to avoid this.
✅Your bill should show much gas and electricity you’ve used over your last billing period.
✅There should be a breakdown of charges, including the tariff you’re on, the price you pay per unit of energy and standing charges.
✅Unit rates are displayed in kilowatt hour (kWh) while the standing charge is basically what you pay to be connected to the grid.
✅You should see the balance carried over from your last bill, including how much you’ve paid your supplier, and if you’re in credit or debit.
✅Being in debit means you owe your energy supplier money, while being in credit means you have money sitting in your energy account.
✅You can request this money back, although it can be a good idea to leave it there to pay for future bills.
✅If you pay by direct debit, your bill should detail how much your supplier thinks you should be paying each month to cover your usage.
✅It’s normal for people to build up credit in the summer months to cover higher bills in the winter.
– Your bill must show whether there is a cheaper tariff you could switch to with your current supplier.
✅There should also be details about when your current energy deal ends, if you’re on a fixed plan, as well as a comparison rate so you can see how much your tariff costs a typical customer.
What can you do if you believe your energy bill is wrong?
Talk to your energy supplier. Ask them to explain your charges and if you’re paying the right amount.
If your bill is right and you’re struggling to pay, your supplier has to help you – this could mean putting you on a payment plan or giving you more time to pay.
Most of the big energy firms have charitable hardship funds and grants that can help you clear your debt.
For further support with your Energy Bills Check out
Help with Energy Bills (5 Support Available) – Energy Switch and Advice
We hope you have found this BLOG helpful & are happy for you to share with others who you think would benefit.
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