From AMR meters to Climate Change Levy, the world of energy can be packed with acronyms and complex terminology. Whether you’re managing a building, reviewing a bill, or just trying to make sense of your supply, this guide breaks it all down.
We’ve summarised the most common terms, abbreviations, meter types, tariffs, and energy sources—so you can quickly find what you need, understand what it means, and make informed decisions.
AMR
Automatic Meter Read (Sends reads direct to supplier).
ASA
Awaiting Supplier Acceptance.
Calorific Value (CV)
Amount of heat given by the specified quantity of gas. This is used to calculate the energy consumed based on the volume of gas used. It is measured in joules per kilogram.
CCL
The Climate Change Levy is an energy tax on commercial and industrial supplies and is charged at the rate defined by HMRC, subject to VAT.
COT
Change of Tenancy.
Correction Factor (CF)
This is a fixed factor which considers the effect of gas pressure and temperature of gas flow. It is a legal requirement to include this on a gas invoice.
DA
Data Aggregation.
DC
Data Collection.
Data Logger
A device used to record meter readings and automatically transmit them to the meter reading agency.
Deemed Tariff
A contract where a customer takes a supply of energy in a manner otherwise than under a contract that has been expressly entered into with a supplier.
Domestic / Non-Domestic Supply
A Supply Point with an AQ of 73,200kWH (2500 therms) or less, is deemed as a domestic site. (This does not mean the user is necessarily residential). A supply point with an AQ of over 73,00kWh is deemed as non-domestic.
DLP
Dead/Lost Project
DNO
Distribution Network Operators (e.g UK Power Networks, The DNO manages the installation and upkeep of the cabling, and the distribution of electricity to the grid supply point).
DUOS
Distribution Use of System.
EAC
Estimated Annual Consumption.
ECOES
Electricity Central Online Enquiry Service (National Database).
Economy 7/10
A tariff that has different unit rates for consumption during the day and night. The number following Economy refers to the number of hours for which night-time rates are available.
E.T.
Erroneous Transfer (When a supplier takes a supply in error).
FiT Rate
Feed-In Tariff. The FIT scheme is a government incentive designed to promote the uptake of small-scale renewable and low-carbon electricity generation technologies. Usually included in the unit rate.
GSM
A mobile device which is connected to the meter and remotely reads the meter by signal. It has to be very good signal for the GSM to work.
GWh
1 million kWh
IGT Meter
An IGT Meter means that the gas is transported by an Independent Gas Transporter rather than being transported by one of the big six.
IHD
In Home Display.
Incumbent Supplier
Current Supplier.
HH
Half Hourly.
kVa
kilovolt-ampere (kVA is a common electrical term used to describe the amount of electrical power that a meter can feed to a building or site. It stands for Kilo Volt Amperes and one KVA equals 1,000 Watts of power).
kWh
Kilowatt-hour is a unit used to measure energy consumption.
LOA
Letter of Authority.
MOP
Meter Operator Agreement (HH Meters Require a MOP agreement).
MPAN
Meter Point Administrator Number.
MPAS
Meter Point Administration Service (For MPAN/Supplier Query – Electricity).
MPRN
Meter Point Reference.
MWh
A megawatt hour. Equal to 1000 kWh.
NHH
Non Half-Hourly.
OCR
Out of contract Rates.
Ofgem
The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (UK Energy Regulator).
PP11 Form
Document to claim relief against CCL.
PO
Purchase Order.
Pre-Payment
A method of payment where consumers pay for credit to their account.
Profile Class
The profile of the expected electricity consumption pattern or a specified group of customers.
P272
Ofgem regulation whereby supplies with a 05, 06, 07 or 08 profile class are no longer settled against a NHH read. Instead, they are now settled as Half Hourly using HH data.
SME
Small, Medium Enterprise.
SMETS1 Meter
1st Generation Smart Meter.
SMETS2 Meter
Smart Meter.
SOA
Statement of Account.
SOLR
Supplier of last resort.
Standing Charge
A fixed monthly/quarterly/daily amount that you pay your supplier for maintenance and other costs, such as maintaining connection to the power network.
SVT
Standard Variable Tariff. A supply contract with an indefinite length that does not have a fixed term applying to the terms and conditions.
Tendered
Quote Request.
TBS
Temporary Builders Supply.
TNUoS
Transmission Network Use of System.
Unit Rate
The monetary amount that is chargeable in respect of each unit of energy consumed.
UMS
Unmetered Supply.
VAT
Value Added Tax.
XOServe
(For MPRN/Supplier Queries – Gas)