To help you understand any fluctuations in your power bills, we’ve put together a list to highlight the most common reasons why your bill can change. Take a look to see if any of these apply to you:
- Is any money owing from a previous bill?
If you didn’t pay the full amount of your last bill, the remainder will carry over to your next one – and continue to do so if you don’t pay the full amount each month.
- We gave you an estimated meter reading
We can't always gain access to your meter. At these times we ‘estimate’ your property’s energy usage based on previous meter readings.
Once we get an actual meter reading, we’ll adjust the bill accordingly, or you can call us on 0800 086 400 with your actual meter reading
- Longer billing period
Power bills rarely cover the same exact number of days per billing period. So if you notice a small variation, this could explain it.
- There was a price change
Prices do change from time to time. If this is the case, we will have let you know at least 30 days in advance. You can check your current bill to see if your prices have recently increased.
- Change in the seasons
As well as being a good conversation topic, the weather can have a big influence on your energy usage. Air conditioning will boost your energy usage in summer, while the short days and colder temperatures in winter mean you’ll spend more time with the lights, TV, computer, clothes dryer or heaters on.
- Changes within your home or business
The more people you have in your home or business, the more energy you’re likely to use. Bringing different appliances into your home or business can also increase your energy use.
- You’ve been using appliances that consume more energy
You might be surprised at how much energy some home appliances use. For more information on their usage, take a look at the manual, the manufacturer’s website or its ‘energy efficiency’ label. You’ll find the power rating printed on the back of many appliances, or sometimes underneath . If the appliance doesn't have an 'energy efficiency' label, look for a label on the appliance which tells you how many watts it uses each hour. You'll then be able to convert watts into kWh (number of watts ÷ 1000 = number of kWh {kilowatts}) and work out how much it costs per hour based on the kWh charges from your bill.