| Annual Quantity (AQ or AAQ) |
The annual quantity of gas consumed measured in kilowatt hours (kWh) |
| Calorific Value |
The calorific value (CV) is a measurement of the amount of energy contained in the gas. CV is usually quoted in megajoules per cubic metre (MJ/m3). Gas delivered to your premises will have a CV of between 37.5 MJ/m3 and 43.0 MJ/m3.This is continually measured by the gas transporters for each Local Distribution Zone and passed to your gas supplier daily. It is a legal requirement to to include the CV on invoices. |
| Correction factor |
The correction factor is used to take account of the temperature and atmospheric conditions at a site. It is generally of the order of 1.02264. It is a legal requirement to include this factor on invoices. |
| Consumer Direct |
Is the independent gas and electricity watchdog which provides a range of advice and assistance to consumers. The website can be found at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk. |
| Gas Producers |
Producers are the companies who explore for gas, drill wells and take the gas to Coastal Delivery Facilities, known as gas terminals. |
| Gas Shipper |
The Shipper is the company that arranges for the transporter to move the gas from the beach to the consumer on the suppliers’ behalf. Shippers must have a licence from Ofgem before they can ship gas. |
| Gas Supplier |
Suppliers are the companies that sell gas to consumers. Suppliers must have a contract with a shipper to arrange to have their gas conveyed to the consumer. Suppliers must obtain a licence from Ofgem before they supply gas. A full list of licenced gas suppliers can be found on the Ofgem website: www.ofgem.gov.uk |
| kWh |
Kilowatt-hour is the unit of energy used in the gas industry as a basis for setting charges. |
| M number |
The Meter Point Reference (MPR). The unique number given to identify every meter in the country. |
| Ofgem |
The Office of Gas Electricity Markets (Ofgem) is the independent government agency who regulates the onshore gas and electricity industries in Great Britain. |
| Profile |
Most Consumers use more gas in the cold winter months than the warmer summer months. In the absence of meter reads we will bill you on the standard profile, as a percentage of your Annual Quantity, as follows:
| % |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| used |
13.8 |
13.6 |
12.2 |
9.8 |
7.1 |
4.2 |
2.4 |
2.4 |
4.2 |
7.3 |
10.3 |
12.7 |
|
| Serial number |
The manufacturer’s number stamped on each meter. |
| Transporter |
The Transporter is the company that transports gas from the coastal delivery facilities where gas comes ashore to consumers, on behalf of the shippers. The high pressure gas pipes are owned and operated by National Grid Plc, but the local regional pipe networks, known as Local Distribution Zones, are owned by a number of different companies. A transporter must obtain a Licence from Ofgem before it can transport gas. |
| Uniform Network Code (UNC) |
This is the multi-party contract that governs Shippers relationships with transporters, setting out the rules by which gas is delivered to your meter. It is designed to facilitate competition in gas supply. |
| Xoserve |
This is the agency owned by transporters to administer the processes that govern the gas supply chain. They operate systems that register each customer, with each meter and their supplier. www.xoserve.co.uk |
