Understanding Your Gas and Electricity Bills

The best way to help keep your gas and electricity bills low is to control how much you use.  The first step to controlling your energy usage and spending is understanding your energy bills. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at energy bills and how they work at So Energy.  

Please note that your bills may look slightly different depending on whether you’re on the So Fixed, So Flex, or So Flex Green tariffs.

What is an Energy Bill?

An energy bill is simply a legal document listing all the costs associated with using your energy supplier’s services.

Here’s the key information you need to know when you receive a bill from So Energy.

Understanding the Key Sections of Your So Energy Bill

We've unpacked the information on a page-by-page basis to help you understand how an energy bill from So Energy works.

Page One – A Summary of Your Usage and Account Status

The first page of your bill provides your personal information and an overview of your energy usage, its associated costs and how much you need to pay. It consists of three main sections.

1. Account Information

Your account information is at the top of the bill. This includes your name, address, account number, and the reference number for a specific bill.

2. A Summary of Your Energy Charges

Below the account information is a summary of your charges. This information covers your estimated annual cost and how it is calculated, as well as your current account balance and general balance breakdown.

Here is additional information on the estimated annual cost, account balance, and balance breakdown sections.

Estimated Annual Cost

So Energy provide you with an estimated annual cost based on your historic usage and current tariff. Depending on your actual usage, the final cost may be higher or lower than what is shown here.

Account Balance

The amount in debit (due) or credit (extra money paid into the account) will be listed here.

If you have a Direct Debit set up the payment amount and when it will be collected by direct debit will also be shown here. You may find a due date and a request to set up a Direct Debit payment if you haven’t already done so

Balance Breakdown

The balance breakdown will provide a summary of the charges that apply for a particular month. This section consists of any outstanding balances, payments made towards these balances, outstanding amounts brought forward, and new charges (included in this statement).

Your account balance tells you how much you owe So Energy or how much you are in credit. In credit means that you have paid for more gas or electricity than you have used. A credit balance will show as +, CR or a positive balance on your bill. If you are in debit with your energy supplier, it means you have paid for less gas or electricity than you have used. A debit balance will show as -, DR or a negative balance on your bill. If you are in debit, you might have to pay your e

3. Pay Less

The last section of page one is the Pay Less section, which tells you about any potential tariff changes and how you’ll be notified if any changes occur. You also get information on other tariff options that may help you pay less and what will happen to your tariff when your contract ends.

Page Two – A Detailed Breakdown of Your Electricity and Gas Usage

Page two provides a closer look at your electricity and gas usage and what you’re being charged. This page is divided into three main sections.

1. Electricity Costs

The electricity costs section is further divided into two sections: electricity tariffs and electricity charges.

Electricity Tariff

Under the electricity tariff section, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of So Energy’s electricity tariffs. This includes the type of tariff you’re on, your payment method, what you’re paying per unit of electricity, other fixed costs, and information about your account.

Electricity Charges

The electricity charges provide a detailed breakdown of your account's usage and usage costs. Under this section, you’re identified by three different numbers:

● Your 21 digit Supply Number, also known as an S-Number,

● Your 13 digit Meter Point Administration Number, also known as an MPAN

● Your 10 character Meter Serial Number,

This usage is tracked over a month using any meter reads throughout this period. The accuracy of your bill is dependent on meter reads.

You will see the formula and values used to calculate the total energy cost. This is added to the standing charge.

The standing charge is a charge you have to pay every day for your gas or electricity. You have to pay a standing charge every day, even if you do not use gas or electricity every day.

2. Gas Costs

The gas costs section is similarly divided into three subsections.

Gas Tariff

The gas tariff section information shows the cost of gas with So Energy. Again, this includes the type of tariff you’re on, your payment method, what you’re paying per unit of gas, and various other costs and information relating to your account.

Your Gas Usage Calculation

The gas usage unit calculation shows you the formula for calculating gas usage and then applies this formula to your monthly usage.

Gas Charges

The gas charges section is similar to the electricity charges section, providing a detailed breakdown of your gas usage and usage costs.

Under this section, there are two things So Energy use to identify your meter:

● The 6 to 10 digits Meter Point Reference Number, also known as MPRN or M-Number

● The 14 character Meter Serial Number,

Again, your usage is tracked over a 30-day period, but the start and end dates of this period may not be the same as your electricity usage.  The meter reads for the start and end of the defined period and your volume of gas usage are included again.

You will see the formula and values used to calculate the total energy cost. This is added to the standing charge.

The standing charge is a charge you have to pay every day for your gas or electricity. You have to pay a standing charge every day, even if you do not use gas or electricity every day.

3. Total Charges

The total charges section combines the total electricity and gas charges. VAT is added to this amount to give you a final total charge. This value matches the “New charges included in this statement” shown in the balance breakdown section on page one.

Additional Pages

Any additional pages of your bill will provide more information regarding our services, such as how to submit meter reads, make payments, emergency numbers, or get in touch.

How to Spot Potential Issues on Your Bill

If you’re concerned about how much you’ve been charged, many potential issues could have resulted in a higher-than-normal energy bill. These are the five most common issues that could cause a higher energy bill.

1. Unexpected Usage Increase

If you notice an unusual spike in your energy usage when you get your bill, it may be caused by an irregular increase in energy usage. For example, a faulty appliance might be using more energy than it should, you may have recently purchased a new appliance with high energy requirements, or you may have had guests in your home.

2. A Faulty Meter

A faulty meter is very rare but it can happen. If you have a blank screen on your meter this could impact your electricity or gas usage, leading to inaccurate bills.

3. Incorrect Meter Reads

An unexpected increase in your energy bill can also be due to an incorrect meter reads.

4. Unexpected Charges

Other unexpected charges, such as a back-billing charge, may appear on your bill.

Tips for Reducing Your Energy Bill

Now that you understand how your energy bill works and how to identify any potential issues with your billing, you may want to learn more about how to save on your energy costs.

Below are two of the many energy-saving tips that So Energy have on offer that can help you reduce your energy bill

1. Reviewing Your Tariff

There are two types of energy tariff systems in the UK: fixed and variable. The fixed tariff is a billing system with energy prices that remain the same for the duration of your fixed tariff contract. The variable tariff is a month-to-month billing system with more fluid monthly energy prices.

These tariff systems are designed to suit the needs of different users. As a result, each billing structure has pros and cons. To ensure you’re using the tariff best suited for your needs, learn which tariff system is best for you and then review your tariff to ensure you’re on the most appropriate billing system.  

2. Getting a Smart Meter

A smart meter tracks your energy usage in real time, providing accurate information that is easily accessible through the in-home display (IHD) and ensures accurate bills.

Tracking your usage and making adjustments can help you use electricity and gas more efficiently. For example, it might be more cost-effective to run certain appliances during the Night billing block rather than during the Day billing block. Or you might find an old appliance consuming a lot of electricity and decide to switch to a more modern and energy-efficient model.

If you’re still unsure, you can learn more about a smart meter and how it works and weigh up the pros and cons of getting a smart meter to help you make your decision.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How often should I check my meter reads?

If you’re wondering when to submit a meter read, ideally, you should check your meter reads every month on approximately the same date.  This will ensure more accurate billing. You should also submit meter reads before any quarterly price cap changes so you don’t miss out on potential savings.

If you’re not sure how to read your meter and submit a read, our guide on how to submit a meter read will help.

What should I do if my bill is higher than expected?

If you receive an energy bill that is higher than expected, you need to find out why this bill is larger than normal. You can do this by:

● Check your online account to see if your tariff has changed

● Make sure your meter reads are up to date

● If you don’t have a SMART meter, sign up for one here

● Check your meter has digits on it and is moving

● If you are unable to resolve yourself contacting your energy supplier

How can I switch to a better tariff with So Energy?

If you’re interested in changing tariffs, you can reach out to us for assistance. You can also request a quote if you’re not currently a So Energy customer.

Please note that while switching from our variable to our fixed-rate tariff will not cost you anything, you may have to pay an exit fee to end your fixed-rate contract.

What are standing charges, and why do I have to pay them?

Standing charges are the costs associated with the necessary infrastructure and customer services that supply a property with electricity and gas. You must pay these charges to ensure that electricity and gas infrastructure property is maintained and that the relevant customer services are provided.