Monitoring your energy use
Use this guide to help you monitor your ongoing energy use.
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Reading your electricity bill
The format of a bill will vary depending upon your electricity supplier and the amount of electricity you consume, but all have some information in common.
There will be two types of charge categories: one based on consumption and one a fixed daily charge.
There may also be several different rates within these categories:
- Larger users may also be charged on peak demand. Peak demand is usually measured in kVA.
- Electricity consumption is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh) 1kWh = 1 unit of electricity.
Consumption charges
For each rate, there will be a record of your previous and current meter readings: the difference between the two will give you the current month’s consumption as a number of units.
The cost per unit will be given: multiplying the number of units by this cost will give the total monthly charge for that rate. For some months the readings are estimated: replace these data with your own reading for greater accuracy.
Fixed charges
Small electricity consumers are charged a fixed daily rate. Even if you consume no electricity you will still be charged this amount.
If you are a larger electricity consumer, you will be charged on the basis of peak demand measured in kVA: different rates apply to different time periods or seasons.
Gas bills
The format of these bills will vary depending upon your gas supplier and the amount of gas you consume, but all have some information in common.
There will be two types of charge categories: one based on consumption and one a fixed daily charge. Gas consumption is normally measured in GJ (Gigajoules) or kWh (kilowatt hours).
Consumption charges
For each rate, there will be a record of your previous and current meter readings. The difference between the two is multiplied by factors relevant to your meter, to give you the current month’s consumption as a number of units.
The factors and total consumption are included on your invoice. The conversion factors include a pressure/ temperature factor and an energy conversion factor.
The cost per unit will be given, and multiplying the number of units by this cost will give the total monthly charge for that rate. For some months the readings are estimated: replace these data with your own reading for greater accuracy.
Fixed Charges
Small gas consumers are charged a fixed daily rate. Even if you consume no gas you will still be charged this amount.