Key answer
Locate the supply, usage and price information
Find the MPAN, meter readings, billed kWh, unit rates, standing charge, billing period and tax treatment. Compare readings with the meter where practical and check whether rates match the contract.
The first checks
Confirm the legal entity, supply address and billing dates. Note whether readings are actual, customer-provided or estimated. An unexpected consumption increase can come from operations, an estimated reading, a meter issue or a billing correction.
For half-hourly supplies, the bill may contain capacity, metering and network-related items not shown on a simple small-business bill.
- MPAN and meter serial number
- Opening and closing readings
- Consumption in kWh
- Unit and standing charges
- VAT, Climate Change Levy and other items
- Balance, payments and adjustments
If something does not match
Keep the bill, contract, meter photographs and correspondence. Ask the supplier to explain the calculation and identify the disputed line. Continue following the supplier's complaint process if the explanation does not resolve the issue.
Sources
Primary sources checked for this page:
Next step
Use the rates from your bill
Calculate an annual estimate from usage, unit rate and standing charge.