Calorific Value (CV) – this is a scientific term used to describe how much heat is generated when a known volume of gas is completely burned away. Put simply – the CV measures how ‘useful’ your gas is, so your supplier can charge you based on the quality of the gas that is supplied to you

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Dual Fuel – An energy package offered by most energy suppliers to provide both gas and electricity. This means that you receive gas and electricity from the same supplier and should benefit from lower administration costs and hence a lower tariff.

 

Economy 7 – a lower cost electricity tariff where the night rate is cheaper than the day rate.

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Economy 10 – a type of electricity tariff that charges discounted prices for the electricity you use during 10 set off-peak hours. This structure gives you three off-peak hours in the afternoon, two in the evening and five hours overnight

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Energywatch– a government funded body which acts on behalf of the consumer. Its role is as an independent watchdog for the gas and electricity industry.

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IGT or ‘Independent Gas Transporter’ – if your home is supplied by an Independent Gas Transporter Network, it means that it is not connected to the National Grid, which supplies most of the UK’s home’s with gas. You will often find an extra charge applied to your bill if you are supplied by an IGT network, due to the extra costs involved in having your gas delivered. If your MPRN number is 10 digits long and begins with 74 or 75 then you are supplied by an IGT.

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KWh (kilowatt hour) – The standard unit of measurement of energy and hence for both gas and electricity consumption.

MPAN (Electricity Supply Number) – Your MPAN is the unique identifying number for the electricity meter at your property, it relates to the meter and not to you. The MPAN is commonly referred to as a “Supply Number” or “S” number. It should be seen on your electricity bill.

MPRN (Gas Meter Point Reference Number) – Your MPRN is the unique identifying number for the gas meter at your property. It relates to the meter not to you. It’s on your gas bill and should be a ten digit number.

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No Standing Charge (NSC) – If you plan name includes the abbreviation ‘NSC’ or the words ‘No Standing Charge’, then your supplier does not apply a fixed charge to your plan.

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Ofgem –  an official body, the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets This is the independent regulator of the gas and electricity industries in the U.K.

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Standing Charge – Some companies have this but now many do not. A fixed daily charge for the supply of energy, irrespective of your level of consumption supposedly in respect of the rent and maintenance of your meter.

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Tiers – Sometimes your gas and electricity prices are charged using different ‘tiers’ on your energy bills. This means that you get charged at one rate until you’ve used a certain amount of energy, and then at a different rate for any energy used over that level. Plans that include a standing charge won’t tend to have different tiers, whereas no standing charge plans will, as this is their way of introducing a type of minimum charge.

 

Volume Correction Factor – The volume correction factor of 1.02264 takes into account the changes in the volume of gas based on temperature and pressure.