How to read your energy bill
Here is a simple guide explaining how to read your Good Energy bill. If we have an email address for you, we will send these to you by email under the subject line ‘Your clean energy statement’.
Page 1: Introduction
A – Billing Address
This is the address we send your bills to. Please note, this is not always the same address as the property we supply.
B – Account number
This is the unique energy account number that we have assigned to you.
C – Bill reference number
This unique number helps us to work out exactly which bill you’re referring to.
D – Billing Period
The billing period will line up with the end date on your previous bill, and the start date of your next one. Sometimes you might be charged for something outside of this period if it wasn’t included on a previous bill.
E – Charges and credits on your account
Charges – This figure is calculated based on the amount of energy you have used between the two dates shown. Your usage is measured using your meter readings. If you have been billed using an estimated reading, you’ll be able to see that here.
Credits – If we estimated your meter readings and then receive a lower meter reading from you, we will credit you the difference. You won’t see this section on your bill if this situation doesn’t apply.
You have paid – This is how much you paid during this period.
F – Balance
This is your balance at the end of this billing period.
If your balance says ‘Owed’ – this means you are in debit and owe that amount. If you were to switch away tomorrow, you would need to pay that amount to us to settle up.
If your balance says ‘Credit’ – this means that you’ve built up credit in your account, and we would return that to you if you switched away.
Your account balance will vary throughout the year. It’s common to build up credit in summer as you use less energy, which will go towards offsetting your higher winter usage. Your balance should even out over the course of the year, but if something does look wrong, you can request a credit refund or change your Direct Debit amount.
G – Estimated annual costs
We’ve calculated your annual costs using your official estimate. Every UK home has an official estimate of how much energy it will use in a year. This is based on historic meter readings, and is updated each time we receive a meter reading and passed on to your new supplier whenever you switch.
If there are big changes in how energy is used in your home, it can take a few meter readings to adjust your estimate for the year. The best way to make sure it’s accurate is to submit regular meter readings using our app or online portal.
H – Could you pay less?
If you’re unable to follow the QR code, please email us for a quote at hello@goodenergy.co.uk. You will need to provide us with an up to date meter reading.
Page 2: Breakdown page
I – MPAN
The long number at the bottom is your electricity MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number), which is unique to your property.
J – Postcode area identifier
Also known as rota load block alpha identifiers, this section would be referred to in the very unlikely event of emergency blackouts. Customers would be temporarily disconnected on a rolling basis to ensure overall customer supplies are protected equally. Each customer ‘block’ is identified by a letter from A to U which indicates where your property is connected to the electricity system.
K – Meter Serial Numbers
You’ll find these numbers on the front of your gas / electricity meters. The number on your bill should always match your property’s meter.
When you provide meter readings on the website, this is the number you will need to use.
L – MPRN
The MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number) is your Gas reference number, unique to the supply at your property.
M – Meter Readings
If we receive meter readings from you, these will be listed here. If we do not receive meter readings from you, we will estimate readings, based on your estimated annual consumption. If you have a smart meter, we will pull a regular smart reading to bill you. If this section is left blank, this is because we have received a meter reading from a visiting meter reader.
N – Your EPG discount
This section tells you the amount of electricity or gas you used in the billing period; the total cost without the government discount; and then the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) discount that has been applied to this bill. For more information, read our article explaining about the EPG and other government schemes.
O – Total Charges
This is the amount owed for this period. It is not necessarily the same amount as the total amount owed (i.e. the balance). Please see the first page of your bill for your balance.
P – Tariff Information
You’ll find more detailed information about your tariff here, including unit rates and standing charges. Please note, these unit rates do not include the EPG discount and will therefore look higher than you have been quoted. You can view your EPG discount in section M.
Your estimated annual usage is the amount of energy we think you’re going to use based on your past meter readings. You can also use this figure for energy quotes.
Your standing charge + unit rate excludes VAT.
Q – Gas Conversion
Gas isn’t measured in kWh like electricity. This calculation shows how we convert your gas consumption to kWh.
Page 3: Contact and policy
This page displays our contact details, advice on how to pay, and how to complain.
R – Get in touch
Here you can find our contact details.
The quickest way to get in touch is to email us at hello@goodenergy.co.uk. We aim to respond in under 24 hours.
S – How to pay.
One of the easiest ways to make payments to your account is via Direct Debit. It’s quicker and easier for us to manage your account when you pay by Direct Debit. Depending on your tariff, the average customer will be able to save £129 a year, based on typical domestic usage. This is based on a percentage of your unit rate and/or standing charge and depends on how much energy you use, so some customers will see smaller or larger savings.
To see other ways to pay, please click here.
T – What to do if you’re unhappy
If you’re unhappy with our service, please get in touch at hello@goodenergy.co.uk to let us know.
You can find more about our complaints process and Code of Practice here.