Calculating energy bills

Vanillaman

I have tried Google search to find an easy way to calculate my energy bills. However, the results that are returned are instructions on how to read Electricity and Gas meters. There is nothing on how to calculate what your actual bill is going to be or should be. Mathematics and anything to do with figures are my weakness, so I think an easy to use Energy bill calculator would be a great help to most people. Any suggestions would be most welcome.

itsthelittlethings

Find out the standing charge and kWh charge. Multiply the standing charge by the number of days. Multiply the kWh charge by the number of kWhs used. Add them together.

molerat

Have you actually searched for a gas or electricity bill calculator as there are loads on Google.

Brie

I just copy the calculations that are used on my bill but making sure I am using my meter readings which may differ particularly if the utility company is using estimates. It's a good way to check what they say you will pay in a year which they use to decide what DD you should pay.

Robin9

@Vanillaman Are you able to read the meters themselves ? You may have to press a button or two to wake up the screen on modern meters

Brie's post is a very straightforward method.

WiserMiser

Note that the rates in lines of your itemised bill do not include the 5% VAT, so you'll have to multiply the sub-total by 1.05 to determine the amount that will be taken from your bank account.

However, the rates quoted by comparison sites do include VAT, ditto anything from your supplier along the lines of About Your Tariff.

It seems confusing but there's method in the madness. VAT is charged at the rate applicable when the energy is used, but the rate can vary because of government action and is beyond your supplier's control; your contractual agreement relates to the pre-VAT rate.

Similarly, if you're on a variable tariff the rates can go up or down, typically on 1st Jan, 1st Apr, 1st Jul and 1 Oct.

If any rate changes during a billing period then you'll see another set of itemised charges.

If the most recent meter reading is estimated (often denoted by an 'E'), send them the current reading to make sure you're not paying too much or too little.

gpman

@WiserMiser

"Note that the rates in lines of your itemised bill do not include the 5% VAT, so you'll have to multiply the sub-total by 1.05 to determine the amount that will be taken from your bank account."

That depends on the energy supplier

WiserMiser

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81866058#Comment_81866058

Curious. I've had umpteen suppliers over the years and they've all billed this way. Which suppliers don't do this?

gpman

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81866142#Comment_81866142

Fuse

WiserMiser

Fuse aren't the best exemplar ! They were called out for using the wrong CV values, failing to round them down to one decimal place.

gpman

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81866375#Comment_81866375

What has that got to do with the price of fish?

I could call them out about a lot more, but I'm careful what I wish for. It's swings and roundabouts. The fact is they are cheap even with their billing issues.

You were talking about VAT.

You'd have been better stating that the VAT amount shown on their bills was too large, but it's up to them if they are paying HMRC too much. I'm not sure they are. But even that does not alter the fact that their bills are displayed with all costs inclusive of VAT.