This is the date range that has been used to calculate what you owe. So if the billing period is over the winter months, it will normally be a higher bill than if the billing period is over the summer [..]

This contract applies when you move into a new home, and have not proactively signed up for a new supply of gas and electricity. In such circumstances you will be 'deemed' to have automatica [..]

Your bill is the breakdown of how much energy you have used, and what this has cost you. It is worked out from your meter readings, either estimated or the actual readings if you have provided these.

Like your bank balance, this is a record of how much you owe (or if you are lucky, how much the company owes you!).

This relates to the gas you use, and is a measure of how much heating power your gas contains. The calorific value will be the amount of energy that is released upon combustion of a unit of gas. The c [..]

Capped price tariffs can potentially offer the best of both worlds. If you have signed up to one of these, then the unit price you pay for your energy will not rise above a certain amount. However if the unit price falls, then the amount that you pay should also fall in line with the price drop. These types of tariffs can sometimes be a little more [..]

Consumer Focus are the statutory consumer organisation for England, Wales and Scotland. They work across many industries; with regards to gas and electricity their remit is to produce research, invest [..]

Your consumption is the sum total of the units of energy used in a stated period, or in other words: how much energy you have consumed. The standard measure of consumption is kilowatt hours (kWh). If you are using your kWh consumption to get a quote for your gas and electricity then it is always best to use an annual figure, as your consumption wil [..]

Your energy will always be provided through a legal contract. The contract sets out the prices you will pay, the way you will pay and the terms and conditions of your supply. You should be sent a copy [..]

This is the meter that most people have in their homes. It allows you to use energy before you have paid for it, hence the term 'Credit'. If you have this type of meter, you will pay either by direct debit, or cash or cheque on receipt of the bill. This type of meter is different to a prepayment meter, where you have to pay for the energy [..]