Business Gas and Electricity - Energy Bill Glossary

If you’re feeling baffled by abbreviations when it comes to your business energy bills then you’re in the right place. Want to know your CRC from your EAC? Then take a look below to find some of the most common abbreviations used on our energy bills and what they mean so you can read your energy bill with confidence.

ARD

Agreed Read Dispute

This is a process designed to resolve issues that arise if closing and opening meter readings do not match-up during a switch or change of tenancy.

AMR

Automated Meter Reading

These readings can be obtained from Smart Meters, providing people with instant and accurate data relating to commercial energy consumption.

AQ or AAQ

Annual Quantity or Annual Agreed Quantity

An estimate of future commercial gas consumption, as calculated by Transco, the distribution network.

ASC

Authorised Supply Capacity

Only Maximum Demand customers need to be concerned with this term, which refers to the amount of commercial electricity allowed for running industrial equipment.

CCL

Climate Change Levy

A government charge on commercial electricity and gas designed to encourage lower consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

CO2

Carbon Dioxide

A greenhouse gas that is measured in tonnes to represent the Carbon Footprint of a commercial electricity user.

CRC

Carbon Reduction Commitment

The scheme designed to improve the energy efficiency credentials of large organisation. IKT's a mandatory requirement for the UK's 5,000 biggest commercial electricity users.

CV

Calorific Value

A measurement of energy contained in gas. Usually quoted in terms of megajoules per cubic metre (MJ/m3).

DECC

Department of Energy and Climate Change

A government department created in 2008. Its purpose is to work for secure, affordable and efficient energy.

EAC

Estimated Annual Consumption

Like AQ but related to the consumption of commercial electricity, based on previous billing information. Occasionally referred to as Calculated Annual Consumption (CAC).

ECOES

Electricity Central Online Enquiry Service

The service provided by electricity suppliers and distribution companies that notifies the appropriate bodies when a user switches commercial electricity provider.

EU ETS

European Union Emissions Trading Scheme

Designed to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by meeting targets outlined in the Kyoto Protocol.

HH

Half-Hourly

The name used to metres with a '00' profile number that are used by energy-intensive businesses. These firms' average peak electricity demand will have been greater than 100kW in any three months of the preceding year.

KVA

Kilovoltampere

The unit of power related to running industrial machinery.

KWH

Kilowatthour

A standard unit of measurement on which business electricity charges are based.

LEC

Levy Exemption Certificate

These certificates are issued by Ofgem and exempt the holder from the Climate Change Levy, meaning they will not have to pay the charge on top of standard business electricity costs.

LNG

Liquefied Natural Gas

Gas that has been cooled and condensed into a liquid - a process that makes it easier to transport and store.

MD

Maximum Demand

These meter profiles begin with either 05, 06, 07 or 08 and are usually on their own tariff. The term relates to the highest expected load drawn from the network by intensive commercial electricity users.

MPAN

Meter Point Administration Number

This is sometimes referred to as a Supplier Number or S Number, and is the unique number found on a business electricity bill. The first two digits in the number display the meter profile - 03 or 04 for a small business, 05 to 08 for maximum demand users and 00 for Half-Hourly.

MPR

Meter Point Reference

A unique number used to identify a commercial gas supply. These are found on a bill and are ten digits long.

MSN

Meter Serial Number

The unique number that identifies a meter which is usually displayed on the front of most metres.

OFGEM

Office of Gas and Electricity Markets

An organisation established to regulate and promote competition in a deregulated energy industry.

PP10

This is the HM Revenue and Customs form that enables users to claim exemption or discount on the Climate Change Levy.

ROC

Renewable Obligation Certificate

Contains details of exactly how a unit of renewable electricity is produced, who by and who bought the electricity.