Understanding your gas or electricity bill isn’t necessarily easy. The rate you pay is divided into several parts. How this works isn’t always clear to the uninitiated. And yet it is easier than you think when you take a closer look.
There are three main parts to your bill:
The price of gas and/or electricity is determined by your energy supplier and differs from one provider to another. Their distribution and transmission costs, and taxes and surcharges, vary according to the area you live in. In addition, they are respectively determined by the distribution network operator (DNO) and transmission system operator (TSO), and the government.
The “energy price” part (gas or electricity) is calculated on the basis of your consumption. Depending on the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) set by your supplier, you will therefore pay an amount that is determined by the quantity of energy you consume.
This price per kilowatt-hour is defined by your type of meter:
In addition, you will also have to pay:
This is a specific feature of the Belgian energy market.
>> Also read: Fixed price or variable price? Which one should I choose?
Lastly, it should be noted that the “energy” item on your bill amounted to 18.83% for electricity and 26.75% for gas in Wallonia in July 2020. In Brussels, the figures were 21.75% for electricity and 33.45% for gas.
Les prix du transport et de la distribution d’énergie sont déterminés respectivement par votre gestionnaire de réseau de distribution (GRD) et votre gestionnaire de réseau de transport (GRT). Ils leur permettent de soutenir les coûts liés aux infrastructures acheminant le gaz et/ou l’électricité du réseau haute, moyenne et basse tension (électricité) ainsi que du réseau haute, moyenne et basse pression (gaz) à votre habitation.
The “energy” item on your bill amounted to 34.87% for electricity and 36.07% for gas in Wallonia in July 2020. In Brussels, the figures were 34.76% for electricity and 35.61% for gas.
Find out what the electricity and natural gas distribution costs are according to your DNO on the CWaPE website. The CWaPE is the body that controls and approves these rates.
The surcharges and taxes (federal and regional) are set by the public authorities and billed by the suppliers who pay these amounts in full to the entities concerned (government and Regions).
Energy levy and federal levy (except nuclear power phase-out and greenhouse gas reduction);
The fee for connection to the gas network (only in Wallonia).
Did you know? A VAT rate of 21% applies to gas and electricity, except for the federal levy and the connection fee (in addition to the protected customer surcharge as regards gas).
The “fees” and “VAT” items on your bill amounted to 46.30% for electricity and 37.18% for gas in Wallonia in July 2020. In Brussels, the figures were 43.50% for electricity and 30.95% for gas.
Find out the applicable taxes and fees for gas and electricity in Wallonia on the CWaPE website.
As you can see, the energy part only represents a third of your bill at best, and only one fifth at worst. It isn’t much, but it is the only part over which you have complete control. As far as taxes and network costs are concerned, you have very little influence on their amount.
What does this mean for you in practical terms? That it is in your best interest to lower the energy part of your bill as much as possible. You can reduce your electricity or gas consumption by tracking down energy losses. Also think about replacing your old energy-consuming domestic appliances.
Finally, another effective solution is to compare your electricity and gas rates. If it has been more than a year since you changed your energy contract, we advise you to make another comparison. This way you can check that you always benefit from the best prices. If this isn’t the case, don’t hesitate to change your contract in order to make valuable savings! If you aren’t sure how best to proceed, you can call us free of charge on (0800 37 369) so that one of our energy advisors can assist you.
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