Derwent-Head Home Energy Advice

Energy supplier information

This page of the EPCs in Gateshead website gives general information about electricity and gas suppliers, factors that affect the price charged by the suppliers and general information on gas and electricity bills. Finally the homepage website addresses of suppliers are given. There are six main energy companies in the UK for the supply of electricity and gas, British Gas, EDF, EoN, N Power, Scottish Power and Scottish & Southern (includes Atlantic Electricity and Gas, Southern Electric & SWALEC). It is possible to have any of these suppliers for supply of electricity, gas or both (dual fuel).

Using the links on the side bar there are also separate pages on switching energy suppliers and assistance available from energy suppliers.

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a) How suppliers charge for electricity and gas usage.

● The amount of gas and electricity used in a property is measured in units called kilowatt-hours (kWh) and recorded by the meters located in or just outside the property. For electricity the meter measures directly in kWh's and for gas the meter measures in volume and this is converted into kWh's by the supplier using an agreed formula.

● The energy suppliers charge a different price for a unit of electricity or gas depending on the tariff applicable to a particular customers supply. The tariff, which states the cost per kWh and any other costs such as the standing charge, is determined by each particular supplier and varies with the method of payment the customer has signed up for and sometimes other factors such as customers wanting to receive green energy from renewable sources. The customer may have chosen to pay quarterly in arrears or by monthly direct debit, decided to use an online account, may receive only gas or electricity or have a dual fuel account from one supplier, all of which can affect the tariff rate that the supplier will charge and any applicable discounts. In addition a suppliers particular tariff may vary depending on the location of the property in the UK relative to the suppliers home region.

● If the meters are of a pre-payment type, either chosen by the customer or fitted by the supplier, this will also affect the tariff price charged (normally more expensive than other payment methods).

● There are also off-peak tariffs such as Economy 7 for use with all electric heating systems such as storage heaters where electricity is provided at a significantly cheaper price for part of every 24 hours (usually overnight).

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b) Electricity and gas bills

● Bills are sent out to customers who pay for their electricity and gas bills in arrears, e.g. those paying quarterly. Note! In contrast to this, if a pre-payment meter is fitted then the customer pays in advance for the gas and electricity they use and theaccount has to be in credit for the supply to be maintained. Customers on monthly direct debit or other forms of payment plan also receive a bill but it is primarily intended to show the payments made against the cost of the gas or electricity used.

● A bill will show the meter readings, either taken or estimated, at the beginning and end of the period for which the bill applies. The difference of these readings then shows the number of units used in this period. For electricity this is directly measured in kWh's and the applicable tariff price per kWh is charged directly on this. There is also sometimes a standing charge added to the bill of a fixed amount for the period or alternatively a certain number of the units of electricity used will be charged at a higher rate. For gas the meter reading is taken in units of volume (cubic feet or cubic meters) and on the bill the supplier converts this to kWh's and then applies the applicable tariff rate per kWh of gas. In the same way a standing charge may also be added or a certain number of the units used will again be charged at a higher price. VAT is then added to this total.

● If the customer is on a monthly direct debit arrangement the yearly use is estimated from previous years and the cost is covered by twelve monthly direct debit payments. The bill is primarily sent for information but also to show if the monthly payments need to be increased or can be reduced.

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c) Energy Supplier websites

The six main energy suppliers all have websites that give information on their prices, special offers and contact details, website given addresses below :-

British Gas: http://www.britishgas.co.uk

EDF: http://www.edfenergy.com/index.shtml

EoN: http://www.eonenergy.com/

N Power: http://www.npower.com/web/At_home/index.htm

Scottish Power: http://www.scottishpower.co.uk/

Scottish & Southern: http://www.atlanticeg.co.uk/