Check how much you’re spending on utility bills

Knowing exactly what you’re spending on gas, electricity and water can give you a real sense of control.

If you check your bills regularly, you’ll be better able to manage your budget, see if something’s not quite right and make changes where necessary.

And that could, in turn, help you save money and avoid falling into debt.

Keeping track of your gas, electricity and water bills helps you:

See how much you’re really using

Your bill should show your usage in units (like kWh for gas and electricity or cubic metres for water) and say if the figure is based on an estimate or an actual meter reading.

This information can help you work out if your usage has changed over time or if you’ve been charged too much.

Spot unusual increases

If your bill has gone up by more than you expected, it could be a sign of a bigger problem, such as a faulty appliance, a leak in your home, or even a mistake with your meter reading or billing.

If you see an increase you didn’t expect, get in touch with your supplier.

They might be able to check for errors or help identify the cause.

Avoid falling behind with your bills

Keeping a close eye on what you’re being charged could help you get on the front foot if you’re struggling with payments.

For example, you could change how you use energy and water to save money, or ask your supplier for help before it becomes a bigger problem.

Work out where you can save

Every bit of energy or water you use pushes up your bills, so knowing what you’re paying could encourage you to find simple ways to cut back.

For example, you could save energy by using more efficient appliances or turning off lights in empty rooms.

Or maybe you could cut your water usage by taking shorter showers or only filling up the kettle with as much water as you need.

Manage your household budget

Gas, electricity and water are just some of the costs that come with running a household.

So it’s well worth creating a budget, so you can see how much money you have coming in each month and prioritise your spending.

You can then be confident that you’re able to cover these vital expenses, as well as work out what you can afford to spend on non-essentials and put into savings.

Get started with our budget planner - it’s free and easy to use.

There are a few simple ways to check how much energy and water you’re using and what you’re being charged.

Check your latest bill

Your bill will say how much gas, electricity or water you've used in the last billing period.

Look at both unit rates (what you're paying per unit used) and standing charges (the daily fee just for being connected).

See if the bill is based on actual readings or an estimate, as estimated bills aren’t always accurate.

Use your supplier’s app or online account

Most suppliers let you log in to see:

• how much you’ve used
• what you’ve paid
• any outstanding balances

Check your smart meter or in-home display

If you have a smart meter, you can accurately see how much energy you’re using.

And they come with an in-home display that shows how much it’s costing you.

This makes it easier to identify the biggest energy-guzzling activities in your household, make changes where necessary and potentially save money.

Check your water usage

If you have a water meter, your bill is based on how much water you actually use.

If you don’t have a meter, you’ll usually pay a fixed amount each year.

This is based on your home’s rateable value - a system used before 1990 to assess property values for tax purposes.

Many water companies also offer online water usage calculators.

These tools can help you estimate how much water your household uses and decide if switching to a meter might save you money.

If you open your bill and it’s higher than you thought it would be, there could be several possible reasons.

Estimated readings

If your energy or water supplier hasn’t had an up-to-date meter reading, they may instead guess how much you used.

This can sometimes be higher than your actual usage, so you could be asked to pay more.

Your bill should have an ‘E’ next to the reading so you know that the figure is an estimate.

Bear in mind though that if the estimates have been too low for some time and you’ve been undercharged, you might have to pay a bit more in later bills.

That can feel like a big increase, but it’s necessary to get your billing back on track. 

Tariff changes

Your bill could go up if you’re on a fixed-rate deal and it ends without you realising.

In that case, you’ll probably be moved automatically onto your supplier’s standard variable tariff, which usually has higher rates.

So it’s a good idea to check your latest bill to see what tariff you’re on or get in touch with your supplier. 

Changes at home

Any changes in your domestic routine can affect your bills.

Perhaps you’ve started working from home.

Or maybe you have guests staying with you for a while.

Any new developments can lead to you using more gas, electricity and water than you did before, so it’s worth thinking about what that might be costing you.

Leaks or faults

If you don’t think you’re using more water or energy and your bills have gone up anyway, that could suggest there’s a problem somewhere in your house.

For example, a dripping tap or a faulty boiler can quietly use up water or energy without you even knowing.

Check taps, toilets, pipes and appliances for signs of leaks or faults and get them fixed by a professional as soon as possible.

Contact your supplier

If you’re finding it hard to keep up with your utility bills, speak to your supplier straight away.

Most suppliers will work with you to agree smaller, affordable payments over time.

Any payment plan you agree will include an amount towards what you owe and an amount towards your current use.

Your supplier must look at what you can afford and how much energy or water you use.

Before you speak to your supplier, create a budget so you can show them how much you’re able to pay.

If you’d like help with this, we’ll be happy to help.  

See if you can repay through your benefits

If you owe money on your bills and receive benefits like universal credit, you can ask for a set amount to come from this support to repay your debt.

The Water Direct and Fuel Direct schemes offer struggling households a helpful and convenient way to manage arrears, as payments are taken automatically from benefits and at a fixed rate, which can make it easier to budget.

Find out what financial support is available

Many energy companies offer grants to help customers clear or reduce arrears.

You may also get help from the government, such as: 

• the warm home discount
• winter fuel payments

Your water company, meanwhile, may offer a hardship fund to help you if you’re struggling to pay your bills.

You may also be eligible for a discounted tariff if you're on a low income, or a capped bill under the WaterSure scheme.

Ask your supplier what help you could get. 

Or get in touch with the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), which supports water customers in England and Wales.

Join the Priority Services Register (PSR)

If you're vulnerable, you could join the Priority Services Register (PSR).

The PSR is a free service that offers extra support to people who need help with their energy and water supply.

By joining, you could benefit from extra support during power cuts or help to make your billing more understandable.

You could be eligible if you’re disabled, have a long-term medical condition, a mental health condition, communication needs or are pregnant.