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    Comparing bills

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    We know every household uses energy differently. We also know that the amount of energy you use in your home varies throughout the year. This makes it difficult to compare your current bills with your previous ones and your own bills with your friends or neighbours’. However, we’ve put together some useful things to think about when making a comparison.

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    Comparing your bill with a previous one

    There are a few things to think about when you're comparing bills. For example, the season and new appliances.

    • Do you have any extra people living in the property or are you at home more?
      If you do, you're likely to use more gas and electricity. Children home from University or guests staying with you means more showers, cooking and washing. And a new baby into the family can increase your gas and electricity usage without you even realising. You'll be home more during the day and if it's cold, the heating will probably be on, not to mention all that extra washing and tumble drying!
    • Do the bills you’re comparing cover the same amount of time?
      If your new bill covers more days than the previous bill, the usage is likely to be higher. This means your bill may be more.
    • Do the bills you are comparing cover the same time of year?
      Different times of the year mean different weather conditions and hours of daylight. This has an effect on how much energy you’ll use. During colder, darker winter months you'll probably use more energy than in warmer and lighter summer months because you'll be using more lights, cooking hearty meals and using your heating.
    • Have you bought any extra appliances?
      Any new electric or gas appliances in your home could increase the amount of energy you use and change the cost of your bill. Our guide to running costs will give you an idea of how much household appliances cost to run. If you’re looking to buy a new appliance and want to find the most energy efficient ones, why not try our online shop?

    Comparing your bill with a neighbour's bill

    There are many reasons why your bills could be different from your neighbour's because everyone uses gas and electricity differently.

    • How many people are in living in the property?
      If the property you are comparing with has fewer people living in it, then it will probably mean they’re using less gas and electricity. They'll be using the shower, washing machine and tumble dryer less and will probably be using other day to day appliances less.
    • Are the two properties the same age?
      A newer property is likely to be more energy-efficient and have better insulation.
    • Are both properties in the same position?
      A mid-terrace house will benefit from the heat of the houses on either side, whereas an end-terrace house will not. A property that gets more sun is likely to be warmer and lighter so will use less energy.
    • How well insulated are both properties?
      If a property doesn't have good insulation then up to 25% of heat can be lost through the roof and up to 35% through the walls. Having the ideal amount of insulation will help keep the heat in and save you money. And it doesn’t have to be expensive to fit. See our advice on loft and wall insulation to find out about the help you can get towards the cost of insulating your home.
    • Do both properties have double glazing?
      Double glazing could you save money on your energy bills, but this doesn’t necessarily mean having new windows fitted. You can save money just by fitting secondary glazing panels. See our energy efficiency advice to find out more.
    • Do both properties have insulation on the hot water tank and pipes?
      Insulating your hot water tank and pipes could save you money and prevents pipes from freezing in cold weather.

    Why am I paying more for my bill?

    Estimated readings and price changes will affect the cost of your bill.

    • Is your bill based on an estimated reading?
      If your bill is estimated you could be paying more for your gas and electricity than you should be. You can learn how to check if your bill is estimated. If your current reading isn’t estimated, check the reading on your previous bill. If it was estimated, it might have been too low which means your current bill might be more than you expected. Learn how to read your meter and provide us your reading so we can base your bills on the right amount of energy you’re using.
    • Have prices changed?
      We have a fair pricing policy and aim to keep our prices as low as possible. But we’ll let you know about any price increases. If you’re unsure when making a comparison, check the prices on your current bill with your previous bill. Our prices are available for you to check at any time. You can also view our pricing plans to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
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