How the Energy Check works

The rates used

These are fixed demonstration assumptions. They have no claimed current tariff period, supplier, regional coverage or independently validated source. They are not Ofgem’s current price cap.

• Electricity: 24.5p/kWh plus £219 a year in standing charges.
• Gas: 6.2p/kWh plus £106 a year in standing charges.

The model uses these amounts as entered, without a separate tax calculation. For actual rates, use your supplier’s tariff information. Our energy prices page provides separately sourced market context.

If you know your usage

We round your annual kWh to whole numbers, multiply by the illustrative rate for each fuel, add the standing charges, then round the benchmark to the nearest £10. Your reported monthly payment is multiplied by 12, or your annual amount is used directly, and rounded to whole pounds. Direct Debit payments can include account credit or debt and are not necessarily the cost of the energy you used.

If we estimate your usage

For one to five bedrooms, base electricity use is 1,800 / 2,400 / 2,900 / 3,600 / 4,300 kWh and gas use is 7,800 / 10,000 / 12,000 / 14,500 / 17,500 kWh a year. These are prototype assumptions, not official consumption statistics.

The property multiplier is 0.86 for a flat, 0.95 for a terraced home, 1 for a semi-detached home and 1.18 for a detached home. For each person above or below two occupants, we add or subtract 180 kWh of electricity and 350 kWh of gas. Bedrooms and occupants are limited to the range one to five. Electricity-only estimates multiply electricity use by 1.55 and remove gas. Usage is rounded to whole kWh.

What the result bands mean

Your annual payment divided by the modelled benchmark determines the band: below 0.82 is “much lower”; 0.82 to below 0.92 is “lower”; 0.92 to below 1.08 is “average”; 1.08 to below 1.22 is “higher”; and 1.22 or above is “much higher”. Here “average” means close to this model only. These thresholds are design choices, not statistical findings.

Important limitations

Your postcode is recorded with the check but does not currently change the calculation. The model does not account for regional or payment-method rates, insulation, heating systems, electric vehicles, solar generation, time-of-use tariffs, occupancy patterns or account balances. It is not designed for Northern Ireland’s different market.

A difference from this model is not a savings estimate or a recommendation to switch. Compare actual annual usage, unit rates, standing charges and contract terms before choosing a tariff. Read how to compare fixed energy tariffs.

Questions and corrections

MyEnergySavings is operated by Ahmed Alhamadani. Contact us with questions about the calculation or read the editorial policy.