Help

Understanding your Electricity Bill

Sample image of an electricity bill

1. Your account number
This is your Electric Ireland electricity account number. Always quote this number when contacting Electric Ireland.

2. To ask about this bill
Please contact us at  1850 372 372 with your  account query.

3. For emergencies or electricity Interruptions

To report an electricity interruption or emergency, please call ESB Networks on 1850 372 999 . 


4. MPRN
Your MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number) identifies your connection to the ESB Network and it’s unique to your home. You’ll need to quote your MPRN  if you call ESB Networks with a query.

5. DG, MC and Profile
This is used to identify your  Meter Configuration and usage Profile.

6. Invoice Number
Each bill has its own invoice number.

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7. Bill Address
This is the postal address you registered with us.

8. This bill is for
An address will only be shown here on the bill if the postal address is different to the supply address.

9. Billing Period
This is the period for which your electricity usage  is billed.

10. Reading Type
You will see one of  these messages on your bill: 1. We read your meter- An ESB Networks technician visited your home and read your meter. 2. We estimated your usage: An estimated reading based on your previous readings. 3. You read your meter: You supplied us with your meter readings.

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11. Payments
Summary of all transactions including your payments since your last bill.

12. Balance Brought Forward
This is the total balance due from your previous bill(s).

13. Charges for this Period
Please see the back of your bill for  a detailed breakdown of your bill.

14.Total Due
This is the total amount due for payment. Payment options are listed on the back of your bill.

15. Pay By
Bills must be cleared by the payment date. 14 days credit is allowed for bills without arrears. Those with arrears are due immediately. If you pay  by direct debit, the amount of the bill is automatically collected from your bank account 14 days later.

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16. Remittance Advice
You should detach this and send in with non-direct debit payments.
 
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17. Price Plans
This is the name of your  electricity price plan.

18. Meter Readings
Your present and previous meter readings are shown. Actual readings are indicated by an ‘a’ following your reading. Estimated readings are indicated by an ‘e’. Customer readings are indicated by a ‘c’ and price changes are indicated with a 'p'.

19. Unit usage x Unit price
The total number of units used in your billing period multiplied by the price per unit.

20. Standing Charge
The standing charge is a fixed daily cost on your bill no matter how much electricity you use in your home. It is a combination of the fixed charges associated with providing and maintaining the supply of electricity to your home,  the collection of meter readings and a share of the supplier costs in servicing your account. A low usage charge may apply where you use two units or less of electricity on average per day in a billing period (typically 61 days).

21. PSO Levy
The Public Service Obligation Levy (PSO) is mandated by the Government and approved by the European Commission. It supports the generation of electricity from sustainable, renewable and indigenous sources. The levy is calculated and certified annually by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). This calculation is done in line with relevant legislation. All energy suppliers are required to collect this levy from customers.

22. Carbon emissions
Shows the amount of kilograms of CO2 produced as a result of your energy usage this period.


We have also created a helpful guide to give you a better understanding of what makes up the cost of your electricity.

Or if you would like more information on your bill, you can watch our quick video below.

 

Alternatively, if you are a Pay As You Go Electricity customer, you can view a sample PAYG Electricity statement.