Paying For Your Gas
We offer different ways to pay your gas bill. You can contact the billing team during normal working hours to discuss your arrangements on 0845 900 5253*.
Our tariffs
Home Energy Tariff
This gives all domestic customers a unit rate. There is no standing charge for Home Energy customers.
Pay As You Go (PAYG) Tariff
PAYG gives customers a single unit rate tariff.
Industrial & Commercial Tariff
This gives small commercial customers a single unit rate tariff. We will tell you if our tariffs change.
Convenient ways to pay
You can pay in a number of ways. If you want to find out about the best way to pay for your gas, we can give you the information you need. We can help you decide the best payment option, whether you are a new or existing customer.
Quarterly bills
If you choose to pay your gas bill quarterly, it is necessary for us to carry out a credit check to make sure you have a suitable credit history. If quarterly bills are not a suitable payment option for you we will discuss alternative payment arrangements. Your account shows the amount of gas you used. We normally send a bill every three months. Payment is due immediately. On the back we show how your bill is calculated. We also give useful customer information. If you pay your gas bill at Northern Bank there is no handling charge. You may pay at another bank or building society, but note that you may be charged a handling fee. You can also pay via PayPoint. We do not have a payment arrangement with the Post Office.
Direct Debit
How does Direct Debit work?
• Payments are debited directly from your bank or building society account into your gas account.
• You decide, in agreement with us, to pay equal monthly payments.
• At the end of each 12 months you get a statement of account for the gas you have used.
• We review your monthly payment amount each year and tell you your new amount for the next year.
• If you are an existing customer, we check your account balance at the end of each 12-month period, and change it up or down, depending on the actual amount of gas you use. Overpayments can be carried over to the next year, or refunded on request.
• Underpayments at the end of the year can be carried over to the next year. However, you may be asked to pay the outstanding balance, depending on the amount due.
• You can contact us any time with a meter reading on 028 90 555 864. This information helps us calculate your bill accurately.
• If your usage pattern changes (for example, you install an extra gas appliance) you should tell us immediately so we can amend your monthly payment accordingly. It is important to understand that seasonal variations occur when using gas.
How to sign up to Direct Debit
Complete the mandate at the bottom of the Gas Agreement Form OR Let us know your payment details over the telephone OR Ask us for a Direct Debit mandate. We will send you a form to complete and return.
How to calculate your monthly payments
If you pay by Direct Debit and have been using gas for more than a year, and think your consumption will not change over the next year, add together your last four quarterly bills and divide this number by 12. This gives a good idea of your probable monthly payments. If you are a new customer and request a Direct Debit mandate form, you'll find guidelines on the back. Alternatively, contact us and we will be happy to help you estimate your monthly payments.
Payment Card (Quarterly Credit customers only)
You can join our Energy Saver Club, which lets you make payments towards your next gas bill. Contact us for a magnetic strip card, then simply take this card, along with your cash, to your local PayPoint outlet (we can tell you where it is).
You continue to receive quarterly bills. These show the amount of gas you have used, the amount you have paid with your Energy Saver card, and how much, if anything, you still owe.
Understanding your standard credit gas bill
If you can't understand your gas bill, contact us on 0845 900 5253*. One of our fully trained staff can help you. You can also use the information on the back of your gas bill to work it out. Each section of the bill is marked with a number - you can find the explanation for each section by looking at the corresponding number here.
1. If you have any questions about your bill, please contact us.
2. Unique Customer Reference Number - quote this when you contact us.
3. Energy Factor - the number of kilowatt hours (kWh) in each cubic metre of gas supplied to you. This will vary as it is based on a daily average.
4. Meter Serial Number - your unique meter number.
5. Gas Consumption - the amount of gas you used in the period (in m 3 ). Subtract your previous meter reading from your current meter reading.
6. Gas Consumption - the amount of gas used in the period in kWh. To convert to kWh, multiply the m 3 figure by the Energy Factor shown on the top of your bill.
7. The tariff is what we charge per unit rate of gas.
8. The cost of total units used.
9. Discount for the period – the amount you saved by paying by Direct Debit.
10. VAT charged at the appropriate rate.
11. Total Charge - for the period covered by this bill.
12. Bank Giro - for you to pay your gas bill, free of charge, at any Northern Bank branch or directly to us.
13. Payments Received - the amount of payments made towards your gas account.
Standard Credit Gas Bill
Understanding your direct debit gas bill
Each section of these bills are marked with a number.
1. Contact us
2. Unique Customer Reference Number
3. Energy Factor
4. Meter Serial Number
5. Gas Consumption m 3
6. Gas Consumption kWh
7. The Tariff Rate
8. Cost of Total Units
9. Direct Debit Discount
10. VAT
11. Total Charge
12. Bank Giro
13. Payments Received
Direct Debit Gas Bill
Where to pay
We provide a choice of ways to pay your gas bill -
• Any Northern Bank, free of handling charge.
• Any other bank or building society. Some may charge you for this service.
• By post, directly to Phoenix Supply Ltd. Cross your cheque with A/C payee and send your payment slip. Write your Customer Reference Number on the back of your cheque. DO NOT SEND CASH BY POST.
Meter reading
We calculate the quantity of gas supplied to you by reading the gas meter at the supply address. The volume of gas recorded by the meter is charged at our published tariffs.
Estimated bills
We will endeavour to read your meter at least once a year. If we have not been able to get an actual meter reading, we will base your bill on an estimate of the amount of gas you may have used. Alternatively you can give us a meter reading by contacting us on 0845 900 5253 or through our website www.phoenixsupplyni.com
Payment difficulties
If you have difficulty paying for your gas, please let us know immediately so that we can help.
Special payment arrangements
If you feel you can't pay your bill in full, contact us immediately. We can help you. If you tell us you want to change your payment method because of difficulties, we will try to come to a suitable arrangement. We can continue to supply you with gas, as long as you arrange a suitable repayment plan with us, or you have a Pay As You Go meter installed. You can contact us on 0845 900 5253 or write to –
The Customer Account Manager
Phoenix Supply Ltd.
197 Airport Road West
Belfast
BT3 9ED
Disconnection
Once you receive your gas bill, payment is due immediately. This will be followed by a reminder statement. If you continue to avoid payment for your gas, we will issue a disconnection notice. We will only disconnect your gas as a last resort.
In order to avoid disconnection we promise to -
• Advise you to contact us for help.
• Train our staff to offer advice and help.
• Suggest the appropriate payment method based on your personal circumstances and ability to pay.
• Give you contact details, so that you can contact us and avoid disconnection.
• Give you written notice of our intention to disconnect, if you have not contacted us.
• Offer a payment plan that takes account of your circumstances as presented to us.
• Advise you of our reconnection charges.
Older people & disconnection
We will not disconnect your supply between 1st October and 31st March if -
• You are of pensionable age and live alone OR
• You are of pensionable age and live with other people, all of whom, are of pensionable age OR
• You are of pensionable age and live with other people, all of whom are less than 16 years of age, confirmed by proof of residency.
Reconnection
Our last resort is to disconnect your gas supply. Before you are reconnected, you must pay the debt owed or come to a suitable payment agreement with us. You also have to pay a reconnection fee. Contact us on 0845 900 5253 for information on reconnection charges.
If you are disconnected and we do not hear from you, we will take legal proceedings to recover the money you owe us.
*Calls cost from 3p per minute from a BT landline. Calls from other phone networks may vary