How your electricity or gas bill is calculated

Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience. English Cymraeg Newid yr iaith i'r Gymraeg How your electricity or gas bill is calculated Explains the different costs that are included in electricity or gas bills such as unit rates and what to do if there is a problem with your bill. When you choose an energy supplier, you will also agree the price you will pay for the energy you use. This is called a ‘tariff’. There are 3 main types of tariffs: Your tariff sets how much you will pay for each unit of energy you use, also called the unit rate, and the standing charge. The standing charge is a fee you pay each day, even if you do not use any energy on that day. These costs are calculated based on: These costs can go up or down for different reasons, for example because of the price of buying energy. This will affect your bill. Your bill can also vary based on how your home or business is heated, for example if you use heating oil or your property is on a heat network . Energy suppliers can charge different costs for energy, so you should look around for the best deal that meets your needs. Check with your supplier if you can switch your tariff or move to a different energy supplier. You may build up credit on your energy bill. This happens when you pay for more energy than you have used, for example because you pay a set amount by Direct Debit every month. Typically you will build up credit over the summer months when you use less energy. It can then help reduce your bills in the winter months, when your energy needs will increase. You can contact your supplier to claim this credit back at any time. Before you do, you should consider if you will struggle to pay your next bills without it. When you switch to a new supplier, your old supplier will refund any credit in your final bill. You could get compensation if they do not. Read more about what happens when you switch your home energy supplier . If you there is a problem with your energy bill, you should contact your energy supplier. You can contact the Energy Ombudsman if you are not happy with the way your energy supplier has handled your complaint.