How to read a business energy bill

A business energy bill is longer than a home bill, but it is made of the same few parts. Knowing them makes the rest much easier.

The lines that matter

• Standing charge: a fixed daily amount for being connected, whatever you use.
• Unit rate: the price per kWh. It may be split into day and night rates.
• Capacity or availability charge: usually for larger sites with higher demand.
• Other charges: network and policy costs are often built into your rates, and some businesses also pay the Climate Change Levy.
• VAT, applied to the total.

Start with two things

Find your unit rate and your contract end date. Then check whether the usage on the bill matches what you think you used. Estimated readings are a common reason bills are wrong. General guide only: your own contract and bills may differ.