Why don’t my energy bills change every month based on my usage?
Energy usage varies a great deal throughout the year, with most people using much more on heating and lighting in the winter than in the summer. So that you are not suddenly paying double in the colder months, energy suppliers average your bills throughout the year.
Here’s how the process works:
- When you first move into a new home, your monthly bill will be set based on the average usage at a home of that size.
- Your first payment will be taken within the first 14 days of your move or switching provider so your account is in credit.
- Each month, your energy supplier will ask you to provide electricity and – if you have mains gas – gas meter readings.
- Your supplier will use these readings to keep track of how much energy you’ve used, crediting your account for any overpayment.
- After around six months, your energy supplier will adjust your bill based on how much energy you’ve used so far.
- If your account is in credit, your bills will go down and vice versa.
- The aim is at the end of 12 months you’ll have paid for the energy you’ve used in regular monthly installments.
- Your supplier will continue to adjust your bills approximately twice a year while you are with them.
You’ll never pay for more energy than you used, so if you’re in credit when you switch supplier you’ll be refunded the full amount.
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