Energy Glossary
A comprehensive glossary of energy terms to help you understand industry jargon and make informed decisions about your energy supply.
A
Annual Energy Statement
A document sent by your energy supplier once a year that details your energy usage, costs, and the terms of your current tariff. It also includes a comparison with other tariffs that might be more suitable for you.
ACER (Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators)
An EU agency that works towards completing the EU internal energy market for electricity and natural gas.
Ampere (Amp)
The unit of measurement for electric current. It measures the amount of electricity flowing through a circuit.
B
Biomass
Organic material from plants and animals that can be burned to produce energy. Examples include wood, crops, and waste materials.
British Thermal Unit (BTU)
A unit of heat energy equal to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
Base Load
The minimum amount of electric power delivered or required over a given period at a constant rate.
C
Carbon Footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gases produced directly and indirectly to support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).
Cooling Degree Days (CDD)
A measurement designed to quantify the demand for energy needed to cool buildings. It is the number of degrees that a day's average temperature is above 65°F (18°C).
Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
The simultaneous generation of usable heat and power (usually electricity) in a single process. Also known as cogeneration.
D
Dual Fuel
An energy tariff where you get both gas and electricity from the same supplier, often at a discounted rate compared to buying them separately.
Distribution Network Operator (DNO)
A company licensed to distribute electricity in the UK. They own and operate the system of cables and towers that bring electricity from the national transmission network to homes and businesses.
Demand Response
Changes in electric usage by end-use customers from their normal consumption patterns in response to changes in the price of electricity over time.
E
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
A document that provides information on the energy efficiency of a property. It gives a property an energy efficiency rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
Economy 7
A type of electricity tariff that offers cheaper rates during seven off-peak hours, typically overnight. It's designed for homes with storage heaters or those who use most of their electricity at night.
Energy Efficiency
Using less energy to provide the same service. For example, LED light bulbs use less energy than incandescent bulbs to produce the same amount of light.
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