Check a billUnderstand your UK energy bill faster — then fix what looks wrong.
BillDecoded helps you check high bills, estimated readings, wrong meter readings, direct debit changes, back-billing and complaint routes. Start with a calculator, then move to the exact guide that matches your problem.
Choose the exact problem
High electricity bill
Work out whether the jump came from usage, estimated reads, dates, standing charge or a meter issue.
Direct debit too high
Check whether the new monthly payment is driven by forecast usage, debt, missing bills or excess credit.
Wrong or estimated reading
Collect the evidence that usually wins a rebill request.
Catch-up or back bill
See whether the 12‑month protections may matter in your case.
Smart meter problems
Missing reads, register mix-ups, smart mode failures and clock-change issues.
Complaint and Ombudsman steps
Use the supplier-first route, then escalate in the right order.
Best workflow for checking a bill
- Check the period first. A wrong start date, end date or number of billed days can distort everything else.
- Check the readings. Look for estimates, the wrong register, a serial number mismatch or a catch-up actual read.
- Separate variable cost from fixed cost. Work out usage using the unit rate, then add standing charge separately.
- Check whether monthly payment logic is separate from billing logic. Direct debit reviews often reflect forecast usage, credit or debt rather than the latest bill alone.
- Only complain after you know exactly what is wrong. Suppliers respond faster when you attach a short evidence pack and ask for a specific correction.
Popular starting points
Reference pages people usually need after the first check
Current energy price cap
What the current cap is, what it does and does not control, and where to find region tables.
Unit rate vs standing charge
A simple side-by-side explanation of the two charges people confuse most often.
Average electricity usage
Use household averages as a rough sense check, not as proof of an error.
Average gas usage
See why property type, heating pattern and hot water load matter more than generic averages.
Electricity price per kWh
Understand which price to compare and why a headline national number can mislead.
Energy bill credit refund
How to ask for credit back without weakening your case.