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Energy bills: Where does my money go? Energy bills: Where does my money go?
(2 months later)
Ed Miliband has pledged that gas and electricity bills will not go up for 20 months if Labour wins the 2015 election.Ed Miliband has pledged that gas and electricity bills will not go up for 20 months if Labour wins the 2015 election.
The promise, made in his speech at the party's annual conference, has stoked up a debate over energy prices and their justification.The promise, made in his speech at the party's annual conference, has stoked up a debate over energy prices and their justification.
Since then, the Prime Minister has vowed to "roll back green levies".
So where exactly does customers' money go and what might be the effect of a price freeze?So where exactly does customers' money go and what might be the effect of a price freeze?
How much do we pay?How much do we pay?
The average annual dual-fuel bill - covering gas and electricity - is £1,315 per household. This figure, published by regulator Ofgem in mid-September, is based on the latest assumption of the amount of energy a typical household uses.The average annual dual-fuel bill - covering gas and electricity - is £1,315 per household. This figure, published by regulator Ofgem in mid-September, is based on the latest assumption of the amount of energy a typical household uses.
Bear in mind, this is an average. The amount you pay depends on your energy consumption and the method of payment.Bear in mind, this is an average. The amount you pay depends on your energy consumption and the method of payment.
It is one of the largest regular bills that a household has to pay, behind mortgage or rent, and council tax. Prices have risen in recent years, and analysts predict another increase in the coming weeks.It is one of the largest regular bills that a household has to pay, behind mortgage or rent, and council tax. Prices have risen in recent years, and analysts predict another increase in the coming weeks.
Do people in other countries pay more or less?Do people in other countries pay more or less?
As with many aspects of this sector, the answer is not simple.As with many aspects of this sector, the answer is not simple.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change has had a crack at a comparison, but data for countries including Belgium, Italy and Sweden is unavailable.The Department of Energy and Climate Change has had a crack at a comparison, but data for countries including Belgium, Italy and Sweden is unavailable.
These figures show that average domestic electricity prices in the UK, including taxes, last year were the fourth lowest among 15 EU countries, and the fourth highest among the G7 group of nations.These figures show that average domestic electricity prices in the UK, including taxes, last year were the fourth lowest among 15 EU countries, and the fourth highest among the G7 group of nations.
For gas, domestic prices in the UK in 2012 were the second lowest among the 15 EU counties that were compared, and the third lowest in the G7.For gas, domestic prices in the UK in 2012 were the second lowest among the 15 EU counties that were compared, and the third lowest in the G7.
Households in the US benefited from the lowest prices for both gas and electricity.Households in the US benefited from the lowest prices for both gas and electricity.
How much of my bill ends up as the energy firms' profits?How much of my bill ends up as the energy firms' profits?
The argument over whether the major energy suppliers' profits are "excessive" is central to this debate.The argument over whether the major energy suppliers' profits are "excessive" is central to this debate.
The regulator has been collecting data on these firms' profit margins for the past three years.The regulator has been collecting data on these firms' profit margins for the past three years.
The latest statistics, from mid-September, show that the average profit margin made on the £1,315 bill is £65. This was £30 higher than September 2011 and September 2012.The latest statistics, from mid-September, show that the average profit margin made on the £1,315 bill is £65. This was £30 higher than September 2011 and September 2012.
However, it is worth bearing in mind that this is a snapshot and the figure has been volatile. In some months, the profit margin has risen above £100, whereas in others the margin has been negative.However, it is worth bearing in mind that this is a snapshot and the figure has been volatile. In some months, the profit margin has risen above £100, whereas in others the margin has been negative.
Ofgem says that seasonal factors are key to this volatility.Ofgem says that seasonal factors are key to this volatility.
Where does the rest of the money go?Where does the rest of the money go?
By far the biggest chunk of your bill goes on the cost of buying gas and electricity on the wholesale market, or directly from an electricity generator or gas supplier.By far the biggest chunk of your bill goes on the cost of buying gas and electricity on the wholesale market, or directly from an electricity generator or gas supplier.
This, in addition to the costs of running a retail business with billing and sales, accounts for 67% of a gas bill and 58% of an electricity bill, according to Ofgem.This, in addition to the costs of running a retail business with billing and sales, accounts for 67% of a gas bill and 58% of an electricity bill, according to Ofgem.
But this is where the figures get really complicated. Wholesale gas and electricity is not a single product but a whole series of contracts. Each company's team of traders will be buying energy at different prices, depending on whether this is delivered tomorrow, next month, or even in five years' time.But this is where the figures get really complicated. Wholesale gas and electricity is not a single product but a whole series of contracts. Each company's team of traders will be buying energy at different prices, depending on whether this is delivered tomorrow, next month, or even in five years' time.
They spread out the purchases of energy to mitigate the risk of volatility when, for example, there is unrest in an oil-producing region.They spread out the purchases of energy to mitigate the risk of volatility when, for example, there is unrest in an oil-producing region.
OK, and what else does my bill cover?OK, and what else does my bill cover?
About 16% of it goes on distribution charges - the cost of the gas pipes and electricity wires that get the energy into your home.About 16% of it goes on distribution charges - the cost of the gas pipes and electricity wires that get the energy into your home.
The cost of high pressure gas and high voltage transmission networks account for 2% of a gas bill and 4% of an electricity bill. VAT accounts for 5% of each.The cost of high pressure gas and high voltage transmission networks account for 2% of a gas bill and 4% of an electricity bill. VAT accounts for 5% of each.
A bit goes on costs of metering and storing gas. Then, 6% of a gas bill and 11% of an electricity bill go to government schemes aimed at saving energy, reducing emissions and tackling climate change.A bit goes on costs of metering and storing gas. Then, 6% of a gas bill and 11% of an electricity bill go to government schemes aimed at saving energy, reducing emissions and tackling climate change.
It is these "green" fees that the energy suppliers say have pushed up the cost of a typical bill in recent years.It is these "green" fees that the energy suppliers say have pushed up the cost of a typical bill in recent years.
What might be the effect of a price freeze?What might be the effect of a price freeze?
Some of the energy companies, and those who represent them, argue that the lights could go out if prices cannot be changed for nearly two years.Some of the energy companies, and those who represent them, argue that the lights could go out if prices cannot be changed for nearly two years.
In reality, we will not be plunged into darkness. What they mean is that the decommissioning of coal - and ultimately nuclear - power plants, is going to create a shortfall in energy production in the UK.In reality, we will not be plunged into darkness. What they mean is that the decommissioning of coal - and ultimately nuclear - power plants, is going to create a shortfall in energy production in the UK.
If they are going to build new power production plants, such as wind farms or power stations, huge amounts of investment are needed. An inability to set prices would affect this long-term strategy.If they are going to build new power production plants, such as wind farms or power stations, huge amounts of investment are needed. An inability to set prices would affect this long-term strategy.
In response, Ed Miliband says that firms have been "overcharging" customers for many years. Consumer groups say a price freeze would be popular, but there would be hurdles in making such a policy work.In response, Ed Miliband says that firms have been "overcharging" customers for many years. Consumer groups say a price freeze would be popular, but there would be hurdles in making such a policy work.
Can the regulator step in if prices are pushed up ahead of the general election?Can the regulator step in if prices are pushed up ahead of the general election?
No, Ofgem has no control of the prices that companies charge their customers.No, Ofgem has no control of the prices that companies charge their customers.
Instead, a supplier might find that it is undercut by other firms if it puts up prices significantly, leading customers to switch. If all firms do the same, this competition argument is weakened.Instead, a supplier might find that it is undercut by other firms if it puts up prices significantly, leading customers to switch. If all firms do the same, this competition argument is weakened.
However, Ed Miliband says he would take action if prices went up sharply before the election, if Labour formed the next government.However, Ed Miliband says he would take action if prices went up sharply before the election, if Labour formed the next government.
What else might it mean for competition?What else might it mean for competition?
It could affect new, smaller businesses trying to get into the market. They would be unable to change prices, leading to more volatility in terms of profits.It could affect new, smaller businesses trying to get into the market. They would be unable to change prices, leading to more volatility in terms of profits.
Open4Energy, one of only a handful of new suppliers licensed by Ofgem, has already said that it would pull out of the UK if a price freeze looked like becoming policy.Open4Energy, one of only a handful of new suppliers licensed by Ofgem, has already said that it would pull out of the UK if a price freeze looked like becoming policy.
How can I save money on my bill now?How can I save money on my bill now?
There are various ways to save money on your energy bill, if you are a homeowner or a tenant.There are various ways to save money on your energy bill, if you are a homeowner or a tenant.
They include looking for better deals and switching suppliers if needs be, especially if you have been on the same tariff for a long time.They include looking for better deals and switching suppliers if needs be, especially if you have been on the same tariff for a long time.
Paying by direct debit, and receiving bills online can also reduce costs for those currently paying by cheque every quarter.Paying by direct debit, and receiving bills online can also reduce costs for those currently paying by cheque every quarter.