Frequently Asked Questions for Large Business

What is a consolidated bill and how can it help me?

If you are a customer with ten or more sites and you are happy to pay by Direct Debit each month, a consolidated bill could be great for you. Consolidated bills make it easy to keep on top of all your sites and simplify your admin because you can:

• Group accounts together: by region, cost centre or any way you choose.
• Choose your own unique reference numbers to manage your accounts easily.
• Easily add or remove sites to your consolidated bill.

For more information on consolidated billing read our guide.
 

---

Why have I received an amended invoice?

We will send you an amended invoice when there has been a change that needs to be reflected on your invoice. Normally, this will happen when we have sent you an estimated bill and then receive a meter read from yourself or one of our meter readers, or when there has been a change to your contract terms.

If we are sending you an amended bill there are two ways we could revise your charges:

• If we send you a credit note to cancel the original invoice in full, we will send you a new invoice for the charging period.
• If we do not send a credit note to cancel the original invoice, we will add a single line adjustment on your next invoice. This adjustment will reflect an amendment made on your previous invoice. 

You can read more information about our invoices, why rebills and estimated bills can happen, and the charges on your bill on our Billings and Payments page.

---

What does the balance brought forward value mean on my invoice?

If you have a payment outstanding on your previous invoice this amount will be shown on your latest invoice as the balance brought forward. Your invoice will also include the amount you owe for the current period and, at the top of your invoice, the outstanding balance on the account that you need to pay will be shown.

Read more about understanding your invoice.

What are fixed charges?

Fixed charges are listed individually on your bill and cover the costs associated with providing electricity to your site(s) e.g. providing cables and reading meters. These costs are charged regardless of how much electricity you use and help to maintain the energy network.
 

---

What are volume management charges?

Volume management charges are incurred if your use exceeds any volume tolerance levels agreed in your contract terms and conditions.
 

---

What are distribution charges?

Distribution charges are the cost of transporting electricity to your business. Electricity must travel from the transmission network through the local area distribution networks in order to get to you. These charges are made to us by your Distribution Network Operator and passed through on your invoice.
 

---

What are Reactive Power charges?

Reactive Power charges are passed through from your network operator for each supply point. They relate to power which has not been efficiently converted (wasted power) when operating certain types of equipment.
 

---

What are Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) charges?

TNUoS charges cover the maintenance and upgrade of high-voltage power lines that carry electricity from power stations to local distribution stations. These charges are based on forecasts and are subject to change throughout the year. Therefore, an annual reconciliation may be included on your invoice.

---

What are Meter Asset Provider (Map) charges?

Typically, energy companies don’t own meters, these are supplied by a Meter Asset Provider. The Meter Asset Provider owns the meter, rents it to energy companies, and receives the rental from the appointed energy supplier. These charges can then be passed onto the customer.

Find out more about Meter Asset Provider charges

---

What are agent charges?

Agent charges are external charges that EDF Energy needs to levy onto your electricity supply charges if you don’t have a direct contract with the Meter Operator (MOP) or Data Collector (DC).

Find out more about direct contracts with your Meter Operator/Data Collector.
 

---

We’ve put together a Monitor Report which gives you more information about all of your non-energy charges. Sign up to the Market Insight section of our website to view this.
 

What are VAT charges?

As a business your VAT rate will depend on whether your electricity supply is entirely for business use or for any non-business use, such as domestic or charitable. 
 

---

Do I qualify for a reduced VAT rate?

If your electricity supply is used wholly or partly for domestic or charitable non-business use, that part of the supply qualifies for the reduced rate of VAT. Additionally, VAT will be charged at a reduced rate if a site uses an average of less than 33 kWh per day. This is known as the “de minimis” rule.    

If you are a customer with qualifying use you are required to submit a separate Customer Declaration Certificate for each supply to tell us what percentage of your use is for domestic or charitable non-business use.
 

---

What is Climate Change Levy (CCL)?

CCL is a government tax on your business’ energy consumption. This tax aims to encourage greater energy efficiency and reduces gas emissions, helping to preserve our environment for the future. 
 

---

Do I qualify for CCL exemption?

If your electricity supply is used solely for business or non-domestic purposes you will pay the standard rate of VAT (20%) and CCL. If you are a business who pays a reduced rate of VAT (5%) or you use an average of less than 33 kWh per day, you don't pay the CCL.

 

Further information regarding VAT or CCL is available from HMRC.

How can paying by Direct Debit help me?

Paying bills takes time, and time costs money. A Direct Debit saves you both by:

• Reducing your workload through less admin with no cheques to write, and no posting.
• Avoiding late payment interest charges because your bills are always paid on time.
   

To switch to direct debit all you need to do is fill out an application.
 

---

How can I pay by BACS or CHAPS?

To pay your bills using either the Bankers Automated Clearing System (BACS) or Clearing House Automated Payment System (CHAPS), you will need to arrange the payment with your bank and give them these details:

• Our bank account details, which are on the back of your bill
• Your account number, which is on the front of your bill.

Please remember that BACS payments take 3–4 working days to clear into our bank account. CHAPS payments clear the same day, with an admin fee payable.
 

---

Can I pay by Cheque?

To pay your bills by cheque, follow the payment advice on the back of your bill. As a minimum, we’ll need to have a completed giro slip with your account number and invoice number written on the back of your cheque.
To avoid late payment interest, please remember to allow seven working days for your cheque to clear our bank account.
 

---

What’s Experian Commercial Acumen?

We know that businesses are sometimes affected by unforeseen financial issues, at EDF we want to make sure we can support our customers as much as possible; Experian Commercial Acumen allows us to facilitate payment arrangement requests.

With Experian’s Commercial Acumen, we’re able to make informed decisions about granting customers extended payment terms or credit. Experian provide us with a single view of our customer’s commercial credit and business bank transaction information, and management account data, giving us a full view of our customers financial situation so that we can do what’s right for us and our customers.

 

What do I need to do if I’m moving in or out of a business premise?

To ensure that your move is stress-free and simple, please let us know that you are moving by giving us at least 28 days’ notice.  You can do this by completing our online change of tenancy form.

This will ensure that we have all the information we need to process your move in time.

Once you have submitted your online form we will send you a confirmation email to let you know we are processing your move.

 

---

What information do I need to provide EDF Energy with if I’m moving location?

All of the information you need to provide is included in our online change of tenancy form. You will be asked for:

• MPAN number: This is the 13 digit number that can be found on the summary page of your electricity bill.
• Final Meter Reading: If you have a meter that is read manually you will need to provide a final meter reading so that we can provide you with an accurate final bill. If you have a meter that can be read or downloaded remotely, such as a smart, AMR or half hourly meter, there is no need to supply a reading.
• Incoming Customer Details: We will need to contact the incoming customer about their energy supply.
• Forwarding Address: We will send you your final bill once your account is closed.

 

---

What happens if I am late in notifying EDF Energy that I am moving out?

If you notify EDF Energy that you are moving out after the 28 day notice period we will ask you for some additional documentation. This will help us to confirm who is moving in to the property and process your change of tenancy. This would be one of the following pieces of documentation:

• Lease
• Official Solicitors Letter
• Surrender Document

 

---

What happens if I am late notifying EDF Energy that I am moving out and I can’t provide additional documentation?

If you are unable to provide additional documentation to confirm who is moving in to your property, we will ask you to provide contact details for the incoming customer, so that we can contact them to confirm that they are moving in. If we are not able to contact the incoming customer your request will be completed to the date that we received your form.

 

---

Will I be notified once my change of tenancy request has been completed?

Once your request has been completed we will send you a confirmation email to let you know. If you are an outgoing customer we will send you your final bill. Alternatively, if you are an incoming customer we will send you a deemed notification, to let you know that you are currently on our deemed rates and provide you the information you need to contact our sales team should you wish to arrange a contract.

For more information on our deemed rates, please see the helpful guides section of our website and go to the “Schedule of Charges – Current” dropdown.

 

---

What is the process if I disagree with the change of tenancy date provided by the other customer?

If there is any disagreement over the handover date between both parties then the change of tenancy will be actioned to the date that EDF Energy received the notification. It is the responsibility of both the incoming and outgoing parties to agree a changeover date. If you cannot reach an agreement with the other party then you can provide us with the following official documentation to support your dispute:

• Lease
• Official Solicitors Letter
• Surrender Document

 

What’s a New Connection?

A New Connection is the installation of a new electricity supply, from a premise to the regional electricity network. A New Connection is typically needed when a new premise has just been built. 

 

---

Who is involved in arranging a New Connection?

It is important to understand who is involved and what their responsibilities are when arranging a New Connection.  Your role as a customer is probably the most important because you will have to coordinate and liaise between all the parties. These parties are: 

• Distribution Network Operator (DNO): Provides quotes and invoices for the construction and installation of the service, and organises cabling from the grid to the meter.
• Meter Operator: Manages the installation and maintenance of a meter.
• EDF Energy: Organises the meter installation, request the site supply is made live and look after the billing.

 

---

How do I arrange a New Connection?

To arrange a New Connection you will need to contact your DNO, Meter Operator and nominated supplier. The steps that will need to be followed are:

1. Request your New Connection by contacting your DNO. Find out who your DNO is.
    
2. For a Non Half Hourly (NHH) Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) or a Half Hourly (HH) meter you must set up an agreement with your chosen Meter Operator. This step does not apply to a Standard Non Half Hourly (NHH) meter.
   
   Further information about Meter Operator agreements. If you would like to nominate EDF Energy Customer Field Services as your Meter Operator please telephone 0208 298 8005.
    
3. If your chosen supplier is EDF Energy you can arrange for a meter installation by using our online Connections form.

Once we’ve received your request, we’ll register your MPAN.  We’ll also contact your Meter Operator to arrange an appointment and let you know when your appointment will be.  

Remember to send us your New Connection form with at least 20 working days’ notice, and make sure you’ve contacted your DNO and Meter Operator before contacting us.

For further information on arranging a New Connection please see our helpful e-guide.

 

---

Who should I contact if I would like someone to manage my New Connection for me?

Our Infrastructure Service team can manage the end-to-end process of your New Connection. For further information visit the webpage, or contact them by emailing InfrastructureServices@edfenergy.com or phoning 0845 300 6962. 

 

---

What is the difference between a Disconnection and De-energisation?

A Disconnection is permanent. Your meter will be removed and the mains cable disconnected. If a supply has been disconnected and a live supply is needed it will be treated as a New Connection.

De-energisation is short term.  The mains fuse is removed and your meter will remain on site. This does mean your supply can be reconnected in the future. 

 

---

How much does a Disconnection cost?

The cost for Disconnection of a supply is variable depending on the work required. Your DNO can provide you with a quote, and you will be required to pay in advance.

You may incur meter removal charges depending on your Meter Operator and whether you have a contract.  You will need to speak to your Meter Operator to clarify this.

 

---

How do I arrange a Disconnection?

To arrange a Disconnection you can complete our online application form.

Once the form has been received we’ll arrange for the meter operator to remove your meter and take a final meter reading. We’ll also contact your local DNO requesting the removal of service cables, they’ll contact you direct to agree an appointment.

You’ll receive an email from EDF Energy confirming meter removal dates and contact details for your DNO.

Once the service cables have been removed your DNO will provide you with a disconnection certificate.  You will need to email a copy of this to: serviceremovals@edfenergy.com to enable us to update our records that the disconnection has been successful.