In the world of energy, there’s one number you might come across that’s crucial for tracking and managing your electricity supply: the MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number).
This unique identifier ensures that your electricity usage is correctly attributed to your account, simplifying billing, transfers, and even troubleshooting.
But why is an MPAN so important? Whether you’re a new business owner setting up a new electricity account or renewing your contract, understanding MPAN can save you time and prevent errors.
In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about MPAN numbers—from what they are and where to find them, why it is important to get it right and also how you can get energy quotes online instantly using one.
What is an MPAN number
An MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) is a unique identifier used in the UK to identify an electricity supply point. Not to be confused with meter serial numbers, they’re reference number is assigned to every electricity meter.
On a business electricity bill, the MPAN number is important for several reasons:
- Identification: It uniquely identifies the location where electricity is supplied. This is crucial for ensuring that the right supply is being billed.
- Metering: It helps energy suppliers track energy consumption and ensures the correct readings are being recorded for billing.
- Transfers: If your business switches electricity suppliers, the MPAN is used to ensure a smooth transition between providers.
Where can I find my business MPAN?
When asked for an MPAN number, customers frequently ask us how and where to locate it or presume it is located on the building’s energy meter.
To find your MPAN number you need a copy of your electricity bill. The MPAN number typically appears as a 21-digit number, broken into sections, and it can be found on your bill, usually under the “Electricity Details” section.
What are the different parts of an MPAN number and what do they mean
An example of an MPAN is: 01 802 103 21 6131 5587 164.
This will often be printed in two rows, with the bottom row being the main number you’ll need. Don’t confuse it with your customer reference number, which can also be found on the bill. It’s typically split into several parts, each providing different information about the supply.
Here’s a breakdown of the MPAN number structure:
Top Line
- First two digits – ‘Profile Type’
The profile type helps utility companies determine how to manage metering and billing for electricity usage at each supply point. It’s linked to the way a customer’s energy consumption is measured, and in turn, affects how the electricity supplier charges for the energy used.
- Next three digits – ‘Meter Time Switch code’ (MTC)
This code refers to the time-of-use tariffs that are applied to your meter and depends on the type of meter and the tariff you are on. These numbers identify the different time periods the electricity meter measures and refer to whether your meter is a single rate or time of use meter. Most businesses will have a single rate, but certain businesses benefit from different day/night rates or weekend rates.
- Next three digits – ‘Line Loss Factor’ (LLF)
The line loss factor is used by energy suppliers to adjust the consumption of electricity by taking into account the loss in the distribution network. It’s used to calculate how much energy is actually delivered to a consumer, considering the losses that occur over the distance between the source (generation) and the point of consumption. The higher the loss, the larger the LLF will be. The fee of the loss is charged to suppliers by the distribution network, to cover the cost of using the networks and cables in your area.
Bottom Line
- First two digits – ‘Distribution ID’
The first two digits on the bottom line of your MPAN number highlights which Distribution Network Operator (DNO) manages the electricity distribution network for your supply. This is the number you need to use to find out which distribution company operates the electricity network in your area and is responsible for the management of the wires that deliver electricity to your property.
- Next eight digits – ‘Unique Identifier’
The next eight digits on the bottom line are a unique identifier assigned to your electricity connection.
- The final three digits –‘Check digit’
The final three digits of the bottom line are a calculation that verifies the other identifiers in the MPAN.
Why it’s important to get it right
The full MPAN number is used for administrative purposes, ensuring that the correct meter is tracked for billing and supply purposes.
Getting your MPAN number right is crucial for several reasons, especially when it comes to billing, switching suppliers, and ensuring you receive an accurate service.
Here’s why it’s important to get it correct:
- Accurate Billing
The MPAN number is linked to your meter, and getting it wrong means the energy supplier could be billing you for the wrong meter. If the wrong MPAN is on your bill, your consumption could be inaccurately recorded, leading to overcharges or undercharges.
- Switching Energy Suppliers
When switching electricity suppliers, the MPAN number is used to transfer your service. If it’s entered incorrectly, the wrong meter might be registered with your new supplier, which could delay the switch or cause problems with billing. Inaccurate MPAN details could also prevent the new supplier from providing you with the correct contract terms.
- Ensuring the Correct Meter is Contracted
Each MPAN is unique to a specific meter, which means if you have multiple meters (e.g., for different parts of a business or a multi-tenant building), it helps to have the right one for each supply point. Incorrectly entering an MPAN could cause confusion over which meter is being referenced, especially if there are multiple meters on-site.
- Troubleshooting and Disputes
If there’s an issue with your electricity supply or billing, having the correct MPAN number ensures that any disputes are resolved quickly and accurately. Without the right MPAN, it may be harder to investigate problems, such as discrepancies in meter readings or outages.
- Regulatory Compliance
Energy suppliers and distribution network operators rely on MPAN numbers to comply with regulations and reporting standards. Getting the number wrong could lead to administrative mistakes or regulatory issues.
- Avoiding Service Interruptions
In the case of maintenance or changes to your electricity supply (e.g., upgrades or transfers), the correct MPAN ensures that the right services are activated or deactivated at the right meter. Incorrect numbers could cause service interruptions or delays in resolving outages.
In short, the MPAN number is the key to ensuring that all aspects of your electricity supply – from billing to service to switching – are handled correctly and without complications.
Benefits of knowing your MPAN number
Having your MPAN number to hand can definitely make it easier and quicker to get energy quotes, especially if you’re switching suppliers or looking for the best deal for your business. Here’s why:
- Faster and More Accurate Quotes
When you provide your MPAN number to energy providers or TPI’s, they can quickly identify your exact meter and location. This allows them to tailor the quote based on your specific electricity usage, profile, and meter details, ensuring accuracy.
- Prevents Delays
If you’re missing your MPAN number, the energy supplier or broker may need to ask for further details about your meter or business to verify your supply point. This can lead to delays in getting a quote or an incomplete offer. Having the MPAN on hand helps avoid these back-and-forths.
- Ensures Correct Tariff
Energy companies will use your MPAN to understand whether you’re on the correct tariff for your usage type (e.g., business, domestic, or industrial). If the MPAN number is provided, the energy supplier can confirm this easily, ensuring you’re getting the right pricing plan.
- Easier Switching Process
If you decide to go ahead with a quote and switch suppliers, having the MPAN ready will make the transition process smoother. The new supplier will use the MPAN to ensure they have the right meter for billing purposes.
Switch and save online
Did you know that having your MPAN to hand and a few key business details can now give you the power to generate instant energy quotes online? Our purpose built Switch Savvi platform was designed to make switching and saving on your business energy easier. Simply enter your business information and MPAN into our comparison site and find the best deal we can offer you. Compare your deals on screen and virtually sign your contract. Take a look and generate a quote now.
