What is an estimated bill and how do I correct one?
An estimated bill is based on your supplier's guess of how much energy you used, not a real meter reading. To correct it, take a dated reading, submit it through your supplier's portal or phone line, and ask for a revised bill and any overpayment to be credited.
Suppliers estimate when they do not have a recent reading. That happens with meters that need reading by hand, when a reader cannot get in, or when a smart meter has stopped sending data. Estimates are legitimate, but they drift away from reality the longer they run.
How to spot an estimate
Look for the letters E or Est next to the meter reading, or wording such as "estimated" in the bill. Our guide to reading your business energy bill shows where to find it. If every figure ends in zero or the usage is identical month after month, it is probably an estimate.
Step-by-step: correcting it
- Take a reading today. Photograph the meter display with the date visible. For electricity note every register shown; for gas note the digits before the decimal point (usually the black dials).
- Find your meter point numbers on the bill: the MPAN for electricity and MPRN for gas. See how to find your MPAN and MPRN.
- Submit the reading using the supplier's online account or phone line, and keep the confirmation. Our guide to submitting a business meter reading has more detail.
- Ask for a revised bill. Say the earlier bill was estimated, give your reading and request a corrected statement back to the last accurate reading.
- Ask what happens to any credit. You can request a refund or an offset against the next bill. See how to get a credit balance refund.
Gas meters often show cubic metres or hundreds of cubic feet. Your supplier converts this to kWh, so give the raw reading. To check their sums use our gas units to kWh converter.
Worked example
A shop is billed for an estimated 4,000 kWh at 25p per kWh, which is 4,000 × £0.25 = £1,000 before standing charges, CCL and VAT. A real reading shows only 3,200 kWh was used: 3,200 × £0.25 = £800. You have overpaid £200 (plus related tax). The rate here is made up for illustration; use your own.
If the reading shows you used more than estimated, the supplier will bill the difference. Catching it early keeps that bill small.
Your protections
Suppliers are expected to make reasonable efforts to get actual readings, so ask yours how often it plans to read your meter and keep a note of the answer. Microbusinesses also can't be billed for energy used more than 12 months before the bill where the supplier is at fault. Read more under back-billing limits.
If the supplier refuses
Complain in writing, quoting reading dates and account number. After eight weeks without resolution, or on receiving a deadlock letter, you can go to the Energy Ombudsman. A faulty or unread meter may also need a visit; see what to do if a meter looks faulty.
Stopping estimates for good
- Ask whether a smart or advanced meter can be installed. See how to apply for a business smart meter.
- Give the supplier a named contact and a working phone number so meter readers can reach you.
- Check access: a locked cupboard or a meter behind stock is a common reason readings fail.
Keep a simple spreadsheet of date, reading and bill reference. It takes a minute a month and makes any dispute far easier.
Next steps
Read our full guide to estimated business energy bills and set a monthly reminder to send readings.
Sources
General information only. Energy prices, rules and supplier terms change; check the latest position with your supplier, Ofgem or the Energy Ombudsman before you act.