Understanding my business energy bill

Running a business means juggling lots of different bills all competing for priority. So, understanding what and how you're being charged for your business gas and electricity can really help to make sure you're paying the right amount at the right time and avoid any unwanted charges.

Watch our quick video to see the important information you need to be aware of and where to find it.

Example bills

We supply single sites, multiple sites and half-hourly metered sites with business gas and electricity.

Single site

How to read your bill

1. Your site details
This will either show your address, or list the number of sites covered by the bill. You'll also see:

Whether the bill is for gas or electricity
The dates the bill applies to

2. Summary of charges
This will show the charges applied to your account since your last bill.

3. Bill amount and due date
Here you'll see how much you owe and either the date you need to pay by, or when we'll collect your Direct Debit.

4. Your account number
It’s important to quote this if you need to get in touch with us.

5. Emergency Phone number

6. What to do if you’re moving your business

7. Method of calculation

This will tell you if your bills are based on an estimated reading. To avoid this and get a more accurate bill, send us a meter reading at britishgas.co.uk/business/meter-read

8. Your energy usage

This shows your estimated or actual energy use in kilowatt hours (kWh).

9. Your meter supply number

This number is unique to your meter. On an electricity meter, it’s known as the MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number). On a gas meter, it’s known as the MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number).

10. What to do if you want to complain

Multiple sites

How to read your bill

1. Site account number
Each site has an individual account number.

2. Your group account number
It’s important to quote this if you need to get in touch with us.

3. Summary of site charges
This will show the charges applied to an individual site’s account since your last bill.

Half-hourly metered

How to read your half-hourly bill

1. How do I know if I've got a half-hourly meter?
A half-hourly electricity meter has a profile class of ‘00’ and appears as the first two digits of your unique supply number. Your profile class is based on the amount of energy you use and when you use it.

2. Your unit rate(s)
This is your price for the electricity you use. Depending on the tariff you agree with us, you may have more than one rate, for example, day, night and weekend rates. These rates will be shown separately on your bill along with the times of the day or night that each rate applies.

3. Your energy usage
Your half-hourly meter captures your energy consumption every half an hour and transmits this data automatically to your energy supplier. So you won’t find any meter readings on your bill, but you can view and track your half-hourly energy data through your online account at any time. Log in or register for an online account.

4. Capacity charge and what happens if you exceed your agreed kVA value
This is a monthly amount charged by your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO), also known as the availability charge. This charge is based on the kVA value you agreed with your DNO, also known as on your Maximum Import Capacity, to help maintain the electricity network. We collect this charge through your bill, on behalf of your DNO.

To calculate your capacity charge, divide the kVA units by the number of days in the billing period. This should equal the kVA value you agreed with your DNO.

An excess capacity charge will be applied to your bill if you go over your agreed kVA value. You can contact your DNO at any time to check your connection agreement and to let them know if there’s a change in your business energy requirements.

Find out more about half-hourly meters