{"id":4961,"date":"2024-11-06T17:39:21","date_gmt":"2024-11-06T16:39:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/?page_id=4961"},"modified":"2026-04-29T16:44:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T15:44:18","slug":"understanding-your-energy-bill","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/understanding-your-energy-bill\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding your energy bill"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"4961\" class=\"elementor elementor-4961\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5cc363f8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5cc363f8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c6ece43\" data-id=\"c6ece43\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7a7efba8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7a7efba8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-25223f55\" data-id=\"25223f55\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-4013aca0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4013aca0\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-749d317d\" data-id=\"749d317d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3e11fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d3e11fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Money Confidence<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73935c7 hfe-nav-menu__align-left hfe-submenu-icon-arrow hfe-link-redirect-child hfe-nav-menu__breakpoint-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-navigation-menu\" data-id=\"73935c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;padding_horizontal_menu_item&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:15,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_horizontal_menu_item_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_horizontal_menu_item_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_menu_item&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:15,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_menu_item_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_menu_item_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;menu_space_between&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;menu_space_between_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;menu_space_between_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;dropdown_border_radius&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;dropdown_border_radius_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;dropdown_border_radius_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;padding_horizontal_dropdown_item&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_horizontal_dropdown_item_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_horizontal_dropdown_item_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_dropdown_item&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:15,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_dropdown_item_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_dropdown_item_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;distance_from_menu&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;distance_from_menu_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;distance_from_menu_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_size&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_size_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_size_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_width&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_width_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_width_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_radius&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_radius_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_radius_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"navigation-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hfe-nav-menu hfe-layout-vertical hfe-nav-menu-layout vertical\" data-layout=\"vertical\">\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"button\" class=\"hfe-nav-menu__toggle elementor-clickable\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Menu Toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Menu<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hfe-nav-menu-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\"  class=\"fas fa-align-justify\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"hfe-nav-menu__layout-vertical hfe-nav-menu__submenu-arrow\" data-toggle-icon=\"&lt;i aria-hidden=&quot;true&quot; tabindex=&quot;0&quot; class=&quot;fas fa-align-justify&quot;&gt;&lt;\/i&gt;\" data-close-icon=\"&lt;i aria-hidden=&quot;true&quot; tabindex=&quot;0&quot; class=&quot;far fa-window-close&quot;&gt;&lt;\/i&gt;\" data-full-width=\"yes\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-1-73935c7\" class=\"hfe-nav-menu\"><li id=\"menu-item-701\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/save-money\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Save money<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-700\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/cutting-down-on-bills\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Cutting down on bills<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-699\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/increasing-your-income\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Increasing your income<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1981\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/energy-advice\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Energy Advice<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1958\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/money-confidence\/planning-for-christmas-2023\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Planning for Christmas<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-2932\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/budgeting\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Budgeting<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-2968\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/household-costs\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Household Costs<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-4742\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/life-skills\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Life Skills<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-5443\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/money-and-mind-hub\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Money and Mind Hub<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-6327\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/money-confidence-resources\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Money Confidence Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul> \n\t\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5dc7f1c6\" data-id=\"5dc7f1c6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b17cf1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4b17cf1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Understanding-your-energy-bill.png\" title=\"Understanding your energy bill\" alt=\"Understanding your energy bill\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30c2f732 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"30c2f732\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We\u2019ve got the information you need to understand your energy bills.<\/p><p>Whether you\u2019ve just received your first ever energy bill, moved to a new supplier or just want to stay on top of your payments, check out our bill breakdown below which covers everything you need to know about your energy bills.<\/p><p>No matter which energy supplier you\u2019re with, the following information will be on your bill, even if the bills look different \u2014 and your costs for gas and electricity will be separated out even if you receive one bill.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7dd49987 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7dd49987\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The key things you need to know<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33e2537 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"33e2537\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>1. Bill number and account number &#8211;<\/strong> if you have any questions or issues you need to talk to your energy supplier about, it\u2019s easier if you have these details. The bill number lets your supplier know exactly what bill you are contacting them about.<\/p><p><strong>2. Your bill period &#8211;<\/strong> this will tell you the period of time you\u2019re being charged for on the bill, for example the past month or 3 months, as well as when your meter readings were taken. This information lets you check if you\u2019re being billed for the correct length of time &#8211; especially if you\u2019re moving into or out of a house. <\/p><p><strong>3. When your payments are due &#8211;<\/strong> there are various ways you can pay your bills, including direct debit, standing order, etc. If you\u2019re paying by direct debit then you should be able to change your payment date by getting in touch with your supplier. <\/p><p><strong>4. Tariff information &#8211;<\/strong> your tariff information gives you an overview of how much you will be charged per unit of gas and electricity used (gas and electricity are both measured in kilowatt per hour), as well as your daily standing charges. <\/p><p><strong>5. Standing charges &#8211;<\/strong> as well as paying for the gas and electricity you use, you pay a daily fee for being connected. This is called a standing charge, and is added to your bill even if you have not used any gas or electricity. <\/p><p><strong>6. Your usage &#8211;<\/strong> if you or your smart meter are not sending your energy supplier regular meter readings, then they will bill you based on estimated usage. This could be more or less than you\u2019re actually using, which could result in you needing to pay extra when you move out and pay your final balance. <\/p><p><strong>7. Amount due &#8211;<\/strong> this is worked out using your usage and tariff information, giving a final cost for all the energy you used in this bill period. <\/p><p><strong>8. Account balance &#8211;<\/strong> this section highlights your previous payments, as well as if you still owe your energy supplier any money. If you pay by direct debit, it\u2019s normal to have a negative balance over the winter and a positive balance over the summer due to changing energy needs, but over the year this should balance out. <\/p><p><strong>9. Tariff end date &#8211;<\/strong> you can use this information to know when your current energy rates will come to an end, as well as if there are any exit fees, and so when you might want to start doing research into other energy suppliers or tariffs. <\/p><p>We\u2019re here for you if you need us. You can find all of our advice on our website, and we\u2019ve also got tips for you if you\u2019re moving into a new house or will be splitting your energy bills with housemates.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-469fb107 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"469fb107\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/photo-things-they-didnt-teach-you-at-school-14.png\" title=\"photo things they didn\u2019t teach you at school 14\" alt=\"photo things they didn&apos;t teach you at school 14\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-152486c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"152486c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\u2018Top Tips\u2019 to lower your energy costs<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45615de elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"45615de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Take control of your heating &#8211;<\/strong> install a room thermostat, a programmer and thermostatic radiator valves and use these controls efficiently could save you around \u00a385 a year.<\/p><p><strong>Don\u2019t \u2018Standby\u2019 &#8211;<\/strong> by turning equipment off instead of leaving it on standby mode, you could save as much as \u00a340 a year.<\/p><p><strong>Keep Radiators Clear &#8211;<\/strong> if you have the space, try and avoid putting a sofa in front of the radiator as this blocks the heat to the room.<\/p><p><strong>Smarter Showers &#8211;<\/strong> spending one minute less in the shower each day will save up to \u00a35 a year off your energy bills, per person. With a water meter this could save a further \u00a37 off annual water and sewerage bills.\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>Only Boil What You Need &#8211;<\/strong> get into the habit of only boiling as much water as you need. Keeping the kettle full can be costly.<\/p><p><strong>Turn off lights &#8211;<\/strong> many washing machines work just as efficiently at 30 degrees as they do when running on high temperatures.<\/p><p><strong>Replace Your Lightbulbs &#8211;<\/strong> if you still use old fashioned lightbulbs, don\u2019t wait for them to blow. Buy energy efficient replacements and start saving now. These bulbs can save you \u00a345 over their lifetime.<\/p><p><strong>Draught-proofing &#8211;<\/strong> unless your home is very new, you will lose some heat through draughts around doors and windows, gaps around the floor, or through your chimney. Draft proofing your home could save around \u00a320 a year\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>Careful in your kitchen &#8211;<\/strong> you can save around \u00a328 a year from your energy bill just by using your kitchen appliances more carefully; cutting back your dishwasher and washing use to one cycle per week you save you \u00a320 a year.<\/p><p><strong>Wash at 30<\/strong> &#8211; save around \u00a334 a year by using your washing machine more carefully. Wash at 30 and reduce your washing machine use by one run a week.<\/p><p><strong>Ditch the tumble dryer<\/strong> &#8211; Dry clothes on racks inside a well-ventilated room, or outside in warmer weather to save around \u00a370 a year.<\/p><p><em><strong>If you find yourself in a crisis situation and you are unable to top up your prepayment meter please contact your supplier in the first instance to see what support they can offer. Contact your local Citizens Advice or you may also be able to get a fuel voucher from your local council.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e34c206 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e34c206\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Carbon Monoxide and Gas Safety<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37ebe98 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"37ebe98\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>What is carbon Monoxide?<\/strong><br \/>Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels (including gas, oil, wood, petrol and coal).<\/p><p>Because you can\u2019t see it, taste it, smell it, it is highly dangerous and in certain conditions can kill quickly without warning.<\/p><p><strong>Follow these simple tips to stay safe:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Have your gas appliances checked every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.<\/li><li>Check for warning signs on or around gas appliances (like soot or staining, increased condensation, floppy yellow flames, the boiler pilot light keeps going out).<\/li><li>Don\u2019t DIY or use an illegal gas worker. If they\u2019re not on the Gas Safe Register, they\u2019re working illegally and could be putting you at risk.<\/li><li>Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas that you cannot see, smell or taste. Fit an audible CO alarm marked EN50291 to alert you if it\u2019s present.<\/li><li>Know the signs on CO poisoning seek help immediately if you\u2019re experiencing headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Follow these 6 steps if you smell gas:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Do open windows and doors to help ventilate the gas.<\/li><li>Do turn off the gas supply at the meter and make sure any gas appliances are turned off.<\/li><li>Do call the National Gas emergency Number on 0800 111 999. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year<\/li><li>Don\u2019t smoke or use any naked flames<\/li><li>Don\u2019t touch any electrical switches. Turning a switch on or or could ignite a gas leak.<\/li><li>Don\u2019t enter a cellar if you smell gas, even if your gas meter is located in the cellar.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-424f9414 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"424f9414\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Worried-about.-rising-costs-understanding-your-energy-bill.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Download the factsheet here!<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2888c1c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2888c1c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Copy-of-project-funder-logos-1.png\" title=\"Copy of project funder logos (1)\" alt=\"Copy of project funder logos (1)\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd73e93 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bd73e93\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5><strong>Please see our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/contact-us\/\">Contact Us<\/a>&nbsp;page for details on how to access our help.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<h5><strong>You can access help on the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensadvice.org.uk\/debt-and-money\/\">Citizens Advice National website.<\/a><\/strong><\/h5>\n<h5><strong>There are also lots of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/other-sources-of-help\/\">other sources of help<\/a>&nbsp;available locally.<\/strong><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Money Confidence Menu Save money Cutting down on bills Increasing your income Energy Advice Planning for Christmas Budgeting Household Costs Life Skills Money and Mind Hub Money Confidence Resources We\u2019ve got the information you need to understand your energy bills. Whether you\u2019ve just received your first ever energy bill, moved to a new supplier or &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/understanding-your-energy-bill\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Understanding your energy bill<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4961","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO 5.0.3 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Money Confidence Menu Save money Cutting down on bills Increasing your income Energy Advice Planning for Christmas Budgeting Household Costs Life Skills Money and Mind Hub Money Confidence Resources We\u2019ve got the information you need to understand your energy bills.Whether you\u2019ve just received your first ever energy bill, moved to a new supplier or just\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"max-image-preview:large\" \/>\n\t<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/understanding-your-energy-bill\/\" \/>\n\t\t<meta name=\"generator\" content=\"All in One SEO (AIOSEO) 5.0.3\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"- Citizens Advice Copeland\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Understanding your energy bill -\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Money Confidence Menu Save money Cutting down on bills Increasing your income Energy Advice Planning for Christmas Budgeting Household Costs Life Skills Money and Mind Hub Money Confidence Resources We\u2019ve got the information you need to understand your energy bills.Whether you\u2019ve just received your first ever energy bill, moved to a new supplier or just\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/understanding-your-energy-bill\/\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/caCopeland.jpg\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:image:secure_url\" content=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/caCopeland.jpg\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-11-06T16:39:21+00:00\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-29T15:44:18+00:00\" \/>\n\t\t<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n\t\t<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Understanding your energy bill -\" \/>\n\t\t<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Money Confidence Menu Save money Cutting down on bills Increasing your income Energy Advice Planning for Christmas Budgeting Household Costs Life Skills Money and Mind Hub Money Confidence Resources We\u2019ve got the information you need to understand your energy bills.Whether you\u2019ve just received your first ever energy bill, moved to a new supplier or just\" \/>\n\t\t<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/caCopeland.jpg\" \/>\n\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"aioseo-schema\">\n\t\t\t{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\\\/index.php\\\/understanding-your-energy-bill\\\/#breadcrumblist\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\\\/#listItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\\\/\",\"nextItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\\\/index.php\\\/understanding-your-energy-bill\\\/#listItem\",\"name\":\"Understanding your energy bill\"}},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\\\/index.php\\\/understanding-your-energy-bill\\\/#listItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Understanding your energy bill\",\"previousItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\\\/#listItem\",\"name\":\"Home\"}}]},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Citizens Advice Copeland\",\"description\":\"Citizens Advice Copeland\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/04\\\/caCopeland.jpg\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\\\/index.php\\\/understanding-your-energy-bill\\\/#organizationLogo\",\"width\":275,\"height\":151},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\\\/index.php\\\/understanding-your-energy-bill\\\/#organizationLogo\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\\\/index.php\\\/understanding-your-energy-bill\\\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\\\/index.php\\\/understanding-your-energy-bill\\\/\",\"name\":\"Understanding your energy bill -\",\"description\":\"Money Confidence Menu Save money Cutting down on bills Increasing your income Energy Advice Planning for Christmas Budgeting Household Costs Life Skills Money and Mind Hub Money Confidence Resources We\\u2019ve got the information you need to understand your energy bills.Whether you\\u2019ve just received your first ever energy bill, moved to a new supplier or just\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\\\/#website\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\\\/index.php\\\/understanding-your-energy-bill\\\/#breadcrumblist\"},\"datePublished\":\"2024-11-06T17:39:21+01:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-29T16:44:18+01:00\"},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\\\/\",\"name\":\"Citizens Advice Copeland\",\"description\":\"Citizens Advice Copeland\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\\\/#organization\"}}]}\n\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO -->\n\n","aioseo_head_json":{"title":"Understanding your energy bill -","description":"Money Confidence Menu Save money Cutting down on bills Increasing your income Energy Advice Planning for Christmas Budgeting Household Costs Life Skills Money and Mind Hub Money Confidence Resources We\u2019ve got the information you need to understand your energy bills.Whether you\u2019ve just received your first ever energy bill, moved to a new supplier or just","canonical_url":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/understanding-your-energy-bill\/","robots":"max-image-preview:large","keywords":"","webmasterTools":{"miscellaneous":""},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/understanding-your-energy-bill\/#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","@id":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/#listItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/","nextItem":{"@type":"ListItem","@id":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/understanding-your-energy-bill\/#listItem","name":"Understanding your energy bill"}},{"@type":"ListItem","@id":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/understanding-your-energy-bill\/#listItem","position":2,"name":"Understanding your energy bill","previousItem":{"@type":"ListItem","@id":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/#listItem","name":"Home"}}]},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/#organization","name":"Citizens Advice Copeland","description":"Citizens Advice Copeland","url":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/caCopeland.jpg","@id":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/understanding-your-energy-bill\/#organizationLogo","width":275,"height":151},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/understanding-your-energy-bill\/#organizationLogo"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/understanding-your-energy-bill\/#webpage","url":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/understanding-your-energy-bill\/","name":"Understanding your energy bill -","description":"Money Confidence Menu Save money Cutting down on bills Increasing your income Energy Advice Planning for Christmas Budgeting Household Costs Life Skills Money and Mind Hub Money Confidence Resources We\u2019ve got the information you need to understand your energy bills.Whether you\u2019ve just received your first ever energy bill, moved to a new supplier or just","inLanguage":"en-GB","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/#website"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/understanding-your-energy-bill\/#breadcrumblist"},"datePublished":"2024-11-06T17:39:21+01:00","dateModified":"2026-04-29T16:44:18+01:00"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/#website","url":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/","name":"Citizens Advice Copeland","description":"Citizens Advice Copeland","inLanguage":"en-GB","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/#organization"}}]},"og:locale":"en_GB","og:site_name":"- Citizens Advice Copeland","og:type":"article","og:title":"Understanding your energy bill -","og:description":"Money Confidence Menu Save money Cutting down on bills Increasing your income Energy Advice Planning for Christmas Budgeting Household Costs Life Skills Money and Mind Hub Money Confidence Resources We\u2019ve got the information you need to understand your energy bills.Whether you\u2019ve just received your first ever energy bill, moved to a new supplier or just","og:url":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/understanding-your-energy-bill\/","og:image":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/caCopeland.jpg","og:image:secure_url":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/caCopeland.jpg","article:published_time":"2024-11-06T16:39:21+00:00","article:modified_time":"2026-04-29T15:44:18+00:00","twitter:card":"summary_large_image","twitter:title":"Understanding your energy bill -","twitter:description":"Money Confidence Menu Save money Cutting down on bills Increasing your income Energy Advice Planning for Christmas Budgeting Household Costs Life Skills Money and Mind Hub Money Confidence Resources We\u2019ve got the information you need to understand your energy bills.Whether you\u2019ve just received your first ever energy bill, moved to a new supplier or just","twitter:image":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/caCopeland.jpg"},"aioseo_meta_data":{"post_id":"4961","title":null,"description":null,"keywords":null,"keyphrases":{"focus":{"keyphrase":"","score":0,"analysis":{"keyphraseInTitle":{"score":0,"maxScore":9,"error":1}}},"additional":[]},"primary_term":null,"canonical_url":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"og_object_type":"default","og_image_type":"default","og_image_url":null,"og_image_width":null,"og_image_height":null,"og_image_custom_url":null,"og_image_custom_fields":null,"og_video":"","og_custom_url":null,"og_article_section":null,"og_article_tags":null,"twitter_use_og":false,"twitter_card":"default","twitter_image_type":"default","twitter_image_url":null,"twitter_image_custom_url":null,"twitter_image_custom_fields":null,"twitter_title":null,"twitter_description":null,"schema":{"blockGraphs":[],"customGraphs":[],"default":{"data":{"Article":[],"Course":[],"Dataset":[],"FAQPage":[],"Movie":[],"Person":[],"Product":[],"ProductReview":[],"Car":[],"Recipe":[],"Service":[],"SoftwareApplication":[],"WebPage":[]},"graphName":"WebPage","isEnabled":true},"graphs":[]},"schema_type":"default","schema_type_options":null,"pillar_content":false,"robots_default":true,"robots_noindex":false,"robots_noarchive":false,"robots_nosnippet":false,"robots_nofollow":false,"robots_noimageindex":false,"robots_noodp":false,"robots_notranslate":false,"robots_max_snippet":"-1","robots_max_videopreview":"-1","robots_max_imagepreview":"large","priority":null,"frequency":"default","local_seo":null,"breadcrumb_settings":null,"limit_modified_date":false,"ai":null,"created":"2024-11-06 16:32:44","updated":"2026-04-29 15:44:27","seo_analyzer_scan_date":null,"focus_keyword":null,"additional_keywords":null,"truseo_locale":null},"aioseo_breadcrumb":"<div class=\"aioseo-breadcrumbs\"><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/\" title=\"Home\">Home<\/a>\n\t\t<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">\u00bb<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\tUnderstanding your energy bill\n\t\t<\/span><\/div>","aioseo_breadcrumb_json":[{"label":"Home","link":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/"},{"label":"Understanding your energy bill","link":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/understanding-your-energy-bill\/"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4961","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4961"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4961\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7376,"href":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4961\/revisions\/7376"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4961"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}