Bills, meters and consumption
Actual and estimated business energy meter readings
Is our business energy bill based on actual or estimated readings?
A bill may use readings taken from the meter, supplied by the customer or estimated by the supplier. An estimate is not automatically wrong, but repeated or unrealistic estimates can distort cost and consumption records. Match the meter, dates, units and supply-point identity before deciding that a bill is incorrect.
Written by Energy Guide editorial team · Specialist review: Pending · Source checked:
Start with identity and dates
Confirm the bill belongs to the right legal customer, site, MPAN or MPRN and meter serial number. Then compare the opening and closing readings, reading dates and whether each is described as actual, customer-supplied or estimated.
Test the implied consumption
Compare the billed period with the same season, operating hours and known site changes. Gas meters can require a conversion from meter units to kWh, so do not subtract two readings and assume the result is directly comparable with billed kWh.
- Photograph the meter with a visible date where practical
- Retain the submitted reading and confirmation
- Check for a meter exchange or changed multiplier
- Compare interval data where available
- Record disputes and corrected invoices
Correct the evidence trail
If an estimate appears wrong, send a current reading through the supplier's stated process and retain the evidence. Ask how the account will be rebilled and check that the corrected opening figure carries into the next invoice.
Sources
These sources support the explanation above. Check the linked source for current rules and eligibility.