If you put your energy bills straight in the bin, you may not be aware of how much your fuel is really costing.
You need to ensure you are on the right tariff for your needs, not paying for more fuel than you actually use
and using the right payment method for you. This page gives you everything you need to find out if you are
getting the best deal.
When should I be getting a bill?
Normally, you should get a bill once a quarter. This is up to your supplier, but it’s reasonable to expect
it or chase it if it’s not on time. If you have a prepayment meter, you can expect to get a statement
of your energy use once a year. If you have online billing, you can access your account details at any time.
What should my bill explain?
You should check that all your personal details are correct and that you have a uniquely identifying
reference number. Your bill should give:
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your current meter reading (most likely, this will be an estimated reading)
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the amount of electricity or gas you have used
It should state any discounts you have received and detail your payment options. It should also include
details of how to make a complaint to Consumer Focus and what to do in an emergency.
Estimated use or actual use?
If your bill has been based on an estimated energy use, you will most likely see a bold ‘E’ next to the meter
readings on your bill. Your energy company is only obliged to attempt a meter reading once every two years.
If your bill has an ‘A’ next to the reading, this is an actual figure. For a list of other reading types, see below.
What difference will estimated use make to my bill?
Your gas and electricity supplier usually estimates your monthly energy consumption based on past usage or
a standard use. You will pay for this estimated consumption each quarter or month (depending on whether
you have chosen monthly or quarterly billing). You will then find out how much you have actually used if and
when your supplier takes an actual reading. At this point, you may be asked to pay more, if your consumption
has been greater than estimated, or compensated for any shortfall in your actual use.
Make sure you stay on top of your energy use
Consumer Focus recommends that you ring in your actual meter readings when you get your bill to make sure
you receive accurate bills. This will ensure you don’t get any nasty surprises after a meter reading, or deliver
the savings you make if you reduce your energy use. If your consumption is greater than your estimated energy use,
your supplier can backdate energy claims for up to six years, but they are under no obligation to compensate you
for charging a greater amount. It’s well worth taking the trouble to read your meter every time you receive a bill.
What do the symbols next to the meter reading mean?
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(E)
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this means your supplier has estimated the reading
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(A)
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this means your supplier has used an actual meter reading obtained by a meter reader
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(C)
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this means your supplier has used the reading that you provided (OR, occasionally, this can mean a ‘company estimated read’
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(R)
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this means the reading is the final one from a meter that has now been removed
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(N)
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this means the reading is the first one from a new meter
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(F)
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Final meter reading when leaving a property, discontinuing a supply or switching supplier
Where can I pay my bill?
Did you know it’s cheaper to pay your fuel bills by monthly Direct Debit, than to pay by cash or cheque on a
quarterly basis? You can pay your gas or electricity bill by cash, cheque, Direct Debit, standing order, prepayment
meter, credit or debit card, online or by payment cards at regular intervals.
As well as paying your supplier directly online on your supplier’s website, by post or over the phone, you can usually
pay at your bank or building society, at a Post Office or at a PayPoint or Payzone outlet.
What to do if you are experiencing financial difficulties
Your supplier will usually have their own schemes which may allow you to pay weekly, fortnightly, monthly or at
other periods. You will need to contact your supplier to find out what they can do to help. You should check
carefully the terms of the scheme, for example, how the payments are worked out and what happens if you
build up a credit or are behind with your payments.
Find out if your company fits the bill
Switching made simple
Our energy calculator uses the latest rates that we get directly from the suppliers, and is impartial and free for
you to use. Start switching now to find out how much you could save and get an energy deal to suit you, not your supplier.
Reading your gas and electricity bills
