EWB1 Reading a standard energy bill Please see the utility bill example and answer the following questions: 1. What is the name of the company that supplies the gas and electricity and what is their address? 2. What is the company s website? 3. How many months is this bill for? 4. What is the name of your gas tariff? 5. What is the customer account number? 6. What is the telephone number of your supplier? 7. Does your electricity tariff have a cancellation fee? 8. What is the TCR? 9. What is the MPAN? 10. When will the payment be taken? 11. What is the meter point reference number? 12. Who can offer you free and impartial energy advice before you contact the Energy Ombudsman? 2015 Citizens Advice Advanced energy and water handouts/sep16/v2 Citizens Advice financial capability
Your Energy Company 1 Electric Avenue Gastown GA5 3DE www.yourenergycompany.co.uk Mr Sample 123 Sample Street Anytown AT1 B23 Your account number 1234 5678 1234 5678 Date of bill: 10 April 2016 Your gas and electricity bill actual readings This bill covers the period 01 March 2016 01 April 2016 Last account balance 00 (in debit) Cost of electricity (inc VAT) 64.63 Cost of gas (inc VAT) 97.09 Your new account balance 161.72 in debit Energy usage is on page 2 Next steps Your next monthly Direct Debit payment of 161.72 will be on 01 May 2016 You do not have to do anything. Your tariff Standard Tariff Your energy use this year and last year These graphs compare the amount of energy you used this period to the amount of energy you used in the same period last year. 237 kwh 206 kwh Could you pay less? Your personal electricity projection is 768.36 per year. This is based on your actual consumption for your tariff and the current price. Your personal gas projection is 1165.08 per year. This is based on your actual consumption for your tariff and the current price. This year Last year Your average electricity usage in kwh per day Our cheapest similar tariff You are already on our cheapest similar tariff, but we will tell you if this changes Our cheapest overall tariff Name: Online Fix September 2017 You could save 112.50 Our cheapest similar tariff You are already on our cheapest similar tariff, but we will tell you if this changes Our cheapest overall tariff Name: Online Fix September 2017 You could save 232.00 958 kwh 912 kwh Your average gas usage in kwh per day Please note that switching tariffs may involve changing to materially different terms and conditions. Call us our visit our website for details. Remember it might be worth thinking about switching your tariff or supplier. For more information on switching your tariff see overleaf. Please note that switching tariffs may involve changing to materially different terms and conditions. Call us our visit our website for details. Remember it might be worth thinking about switching your tariff or supplier. For more information on switching your tariff see overleaf. This year Last year
Your energy charges this period Electricity Meter number 0246358612 Previous reading Latest reading 24705 Actual 24942 Actual kwh used over 30 days 237 At 3.86 p per kwh this costs 32.84 Add standing charge of 9.52 p per day for 30 days 28.56 VAT at 5% 3.23 Total cost of electricity used 64.63 Gas Meter number 2314165823 Previous reading Latest reading 7911 Actual 8869 Actual Units used over 30 days 30.09 (100s cubic feet) Converted to kwh 958 At 4.18 p per kwh this costs 52.20 Add standing charge of 17.40p per day for 30 days 52.20 VAT at 5% 4.85 Total cost of gas used 97.09 What is a kwh? Energy is charged in kilowatt hours (kwh). A kwh is 1 kilowatt of power used in 1 hour. What does a kilowatt hour power? 40W 40 watt light bulb for 25 hours Meter Point Reference number 97536201452 About your tariff Here s information about your tariff to help you to compare it with others available. About your tariff comparison rate Electricity Tariff name: Standard Electricity Payment method: Direct Debit Tariff end date: No end date Cancellation fee: There is no cancellation fee Your actual usage in the last 12 months: 2844 kwh Gas Tariff name: Standard Gas Payment method: Direct Debit Tariff end date: No end date Cancellation fee: There is no cancellation fee Your actual usage in the last 12 months 11496 kwh Tariff Comparison Rate (TCR) 18.30 p per KWh This is the TCR for your tariff. You can use your TCR only as a guide to compare the price of electricity and gas tariffs. The TCR is not an actual price and is based on the consumption of a typical use of electricity (3,3000 kwh/ year) and gas (13,500 kwh/year). The actual prices will depend on your personal consumption. Call us on 0800 000 0000 or visit our website www.yourenergycompany.co.uk for details on your tariff and on the calculation of the TCR.
Calculating your gas charge To work out your gas consumption we convert the number of units used into kilowatt hours. gas units used imperial meter calorific value volume correction 3.6 = gas used expressed in kwh 2.83 39.6 1.022640 Predicted cost If you use energy at the same rate over the next 12 months we estimate your energy will cost: Electricity 768.36 Gas 1165.08 Total 1933.44 For clear, impartial consumer advice, you can call Citizens Advice on 0845 404 0506 or visit www.adviceguide.org.uk Complaints: If you wish to complain, call our customer service team on 0800 000 0000. If your complaint is not resolved after eight weeks you can take your complaint to the Energy Ombudsman. Contact them on 0845 055 0760 or enquiries@energy-ombudsman.org.uk. S 00 111 222 13 1234 5678 345
1. Account number/ customer reference This number is unique to your account and will usually be near the top of your bill. It identifies you to your supplier and you will often be asked for it when you speak to them, so it will speed things up if you have it handy. 2. Estimated or actual reading Your energy supplier will say whether your bill is based on estimated readings or actual readings (taken by you or a meter reader from the company). For more accurate bills you should send in regular meter readings yourself. Energy companies are installing smart meters in all homes by 2020 these new meters communicate directly with the energy company telling them exactly how much energy you are using, so there will be no more estimated bills. 3. Period of time covered by the bill The gas/electricity that you used between these dates is what you are being charged for in this bill. 4. What you have to do This example bill is for an account that is paid by Direct Debit, so payment is automatically taken from the customer s bank account every month. If you pay when you receive your bill your energy company will tell you on your bill how much you need to pay and when you need to pay by. 5. Your tariff This is the name or the tariff, or energy plan, that you are signed up to. If you want to shop around for a better deal you will need to know the name of your tariff in order to compare it with others. For more information on switching energy supplier go to the Energy Made Clear website at www. energymadeclear.com. Your energy bill explained 6. Bill summary This is a summary of what you are being charged on this bill, details of any discounts you might be entitled to and the amount of VAT you are paying. VAT on energy is currently 5%. 7. Usage comparison This shows you how much energy you have used in this billing period compared to how much you used in the same period last year. You can use this to see if you are using more or less energy and to help you decide if you need to consider your energy consumption. 8. Paying less You could pay less by switching tariffs or supplier. Find out more on how to switch at www. energymadeclear.com 9. Meter serial number This is the unique number that is printed on the front of each of your meters. If you contact your energy company with a problem they might need this number, so it is useful to take note of it before you call. If you cannot find your serial number your energy company should be able to direct you to it. 10. Previous/latest reading The previous reading is the meter reading that your last bill was based on. The latest reading is the most recent meter reading. Your bill is based on the amount of energy you have used between your previous reading and your latest reading.
11. Units used (electricity and gas) Electricity is measured by your meter in units called kilowatt hours (also written as kwh). This shows how many units, or kilowatt hours, you have used in this billing period. Gas is measured in units of cubic meters or cubic feet, depending on how old your meter is. Energy companies use an equation, similar to the one circled, to convert these units into kilowatt hours to work out how much to charge you. Details of how this is worked out is on page 3. 12. Standing charge This is a set daily charge that covers the costs of maintaining your supply. Some energy companies don t have a standing charge instead they may cover these costs by charging a higher rate for a set amount of units, then a lower rate for all the units you use after that. 13. Consumption charge This is the amount you have been charged for the actual gas or electricity you have been using. This shows how much you are being charged for each unit of gas or electricity. 14. Meter Point Reference (or MPR) number (gas) MPR numbers are unique 10 digit numbers that relate to the meter at your property. They are used to identify a supply point (such as your home) and companies use them as a reference when repairing meters etc. When you switch supplier you may be asked for this number. 15. Comparing your usage On your bill your energy company will tell you how much energy you have used in the last 12 months. 16. TCR Your tariff comparison rate is a guide to help you compare the price of your tariffs. 17. Calculating your gas charge Imperial meter This converts meters cubed, which is a metric measurement, into an imperial measurement. Calorific value Calorific Value is a measure of how much energy is released when gas is burnt. Volume correction Corrects the meter reading to reflect a more accurate consumption. 18. Predicted cost This is an estimate of how much your energy will cost based on the rate you ve used to date. 19. Citizens Advice and the Energy Ombudsman Citizens Advice is an independent consumer body that can offer impartial advice and help in dealing with your energy company. If you complain to your energy company but the problem is not resolved within eight weeks you can then take it to the free Energy Ombudsman service. 20. MPAN This stands for Metering Point Administration Number. The number is inside a series of 7 small boxes with a capital S in front, as shown here. MPANs are used to identify an electricity supply point (such as your home) and companies use them as a reference when repairing meters etc. When you switch supplier you may be asked for this number.
Energy Meters Although most people are aware that the amount of gas and electricity we use is measured by a separate meter, not everyone is familiar with the different types of meter they may have, or how to take an accurate reading themselves. Factsheet Reading your meter yourself regularly is very important, as it will help you make sure that you don't end up being charged incorrectly for the energy you use. These are the different types of meters and how to read them. Standard meters Standard meters are the ones most of us have seen or grown up with. Reading them is simple, read from left to right recording any black numbers and don't include any red numbers. Digital meters Digital meters are straightforward as all you need to do to take a reading is to read the first five figures on the digital display - but ignore the number after the decimal point. You may need to press a button to get the reading to display. Dial Meters A dial meter usually has six dials. These read from left to right. You only need to read the first five dials - starting with the 10,000kWh dial on the left and stopping after the 1 kwh dial. Ignore a final red dial (if it s there). If any of the dial needles are positioned between two figures then it is the figure it has just gone past that should be recorded.
Economy 7 meters These are for Economy 7 tariffs. An Economy 7 meter will show both night and daytime readings although they can show these in different ways. For example, certain meters, have two sets of numbers, while others have one set of numbers which is the 'day rate' and you will have to press a button to display the 'night rate.' Pay-as-you-go (prepayment) meters With a pay-as-you-go meter, you pay upfront before you use any gas and electricity. Standard pay-as-you-go meters can come with a single or two-rate reading, just like Economy 7 meters. You can top it up based on how much you wish to use. There are many ways to top it up, some meters use keys, others use a special card and others use tokens. Smart meters Smart meters work wirelessly. This sends your reading automatically, and regularly, to the energy supplier. Meaning you don t have to take your own readings. The energy companies are hoping to change over all energy meters to smart meters by 2020. How to give your meter reading to your supplier Most suppliers will let you submit your meter readings online or even by text message. Alternatively, you can phone your supplier and give them your details that way. What if you cannot read your energy meter If you are physically unable to read your meter, for example because you can t get to it, contact your gas and electric suppliers and they will come and take a meter reading for you. Whichever type of meter you have, it is essential that you regularly compare the different tariffs available to ensure you are on the best possible deal.
EWB3 Water Meter Calculator *All figures relating to the average water use are from Dwr Cymru Welsh Water Approximate Water Usage - litres to cubic meters *Average amount of water used Times (x) Number of times a week Equals (=) Total Bath 80 litres X = Shower 60 litres X = Toilet 9 litres X = Handwash/Clean Teeth 6 litres per person, per day X = Washing Machine 80 litres X = Dishwasher 25 litres X = Cooking and Drinking 10 litres per person per day X = Approx weekly total litres Approx total per year (x52) litres Convert to cubic meters (divide by 1000) Cm3 Please go to the next page for the equation to estimate charges 2015 Citizens Advice Advanced energy and water handouts/sep16/v2 Citizens Advice financial capability
Equation to estimate bills Water The Cubic meters used Times (x) **Water charges Plus (+) *Standing Charges Equals (=) Total X 1.2809 + 34.45 = Sewerage **The cubic meters used (times 0.95 to give a 95% total of the cubic meters used) Times (x) *Sewerage charges Plus (+) *Standing charges Equals (=) Total (x 0.95) X 1.6494 + 81.37 = Total estimated water and sewerage charges Please note, this is an approximate guide and further advice should be sought from the water company. *Charges for water and sewerage are from Dwr Cymru Welsh Waters current (2016) scheme of charges. The standing charge is an annual figure. **Dwr Cymru Welsh Water assumes that 95% of all water used will return to the sewer. For comparison, if you are not on a water meter and pay a standard charge, then the annual bill for this provider (2016-17) is: 225.21 for water annually ( 18.77 per month) 317.70 for sewage annually ( 26.48 per month) These are general figures for guidance actual water bills can included rebates, standing charges, and all sorts of other features that can change these figures slightly. 2015 Citizens Advice Advanced energy and water handouts/sep16/v2 Citizens Advice financial capability
EWB5 What else will help? As well as being online, what else will make the change in benefits smoother for me? Having cheaper bills Understanding how to budget Knowing where to get the cheapest gas and electricity Using my bank account to set up automated payments Having some knowledge of things like payslips Tips to save money on everyday things Tips to make more money from everyday things 2015 Citizens Advice Advanced energy and water handouts/sep16/v2 Citizens Advice financial capability