Energy Terms Explained
The following list is designed to help give you an
understanding of many terms used in the UK energy market.
Consumer Focus
Consumer Focus the name for the energywatch watch dog in
the UK. Consumer Focus took over this role from
Energywatch in October 2008 as the consumer champion in
the Uk energy markets. Consumer Focus are there to help
you if you have any complaints with your current gas and
electricity supplier.
Cooling Off Period
The time you have after you have switched energy supplier
to cancel the agreement you have just taken. This is 7
days in most cases and some suppliers will allow you up to
14 days.
Economy 7
Economy 7 is where you have a day and night rate for your
electricity supplied to your home.
Electricity Bill
The bill provided by your electricity supplier to show you
the amount of energy you have used and how much you need
to pay.
Electricity Meter Reading
The meter reading is need to allow your current
electricity supplier to accurately bill you for the amount
of energy you have used. You can take the meter reading
yourself and either call your supplier and tell them or
enter it online if you have a tariff that allows you to
manage your account through the Internet.
You should also have your meter read by the appointed
meter operator who should read your electricity meter on
behalf of your energy supplier. In some rural areas meters
are not read as often as in larger towns and cities.
Electricity Tariff
The tariff is basically the charge you will pay for the
electricity supplied to your home.
Energy Supplier
The energy supplier is simply the gas or electricity
supplier who provides your home with energy
Energywatch – The old name for the energy watch dog in the UK
Consumer Focus took over the role of Energywatch in the Uk
in October 2008 as the consumer champion in the Uk energy
markets. Consumer Focus are there to help you if you have
any complaints with your current gas and electricity
supplier.
Gas Bill
The bill provided by your gas supplier to show you the
amount of energy you have used and how much you need to
pay.
Gas Meter Reading
The meter reading is need to allow your current gas
supplier to accurately bill you for the amount of energy
you have used. You can take the meter reading yourself and
either call your supplier and tell them or enter it online
if you have a tariff that allows you to manage your
account through the Internet.
You should also have your meter read by the appointed
meter operator who should read your gas meter on behalf of
your energy supplier. In some rural areas meters are not
read as often as in larger towns and cities.
Gas Tariff
The tariff is basically the charge you will pay for the
gas supplied to your home.
Kilowatt Hour (Kwh)
The unit of measure for both gas and electricity supplied
to your home.
Mpan
The mpan or "m number" can be found on your electricity
bill only. This number is key to allowing you to switch
your electricity supplier to a new provider. The mpan
number looks similar to the picture below
Mprn Number
The mprn or meter point reference number is the number you
will need if you wish to change your gas supplier. Each
property in the UK that has a mains gas supply has an MPRN
number. This can be found on your bills and is normally
around eight to ten digits long.
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