Climate Change Levy Checker
Are you paying a levy you don't owe?The Climate Change Levy (CCL) is a government tax on the energy businesses use. Small users, homes, care homes and a charity's free activities shouldn't pay it, and energy-intensive businesses can pay far less. If that's you and your bill still charges it in full, you're paying too much every month.
Send us a bill and we'll check it for you. Or answer a few quick questions and see straight away if you could pay less. Checking the VAT instead? Use our business energy VAT checker.
How would you like to check?
Upload your bill
A recent electricity or gas bill. We'll check the Climate Change Levy against how your site is used and let you know what we find. One of our team checks every bill.
Thanks, we've got your bill
Here's what happens next. We virus check it, then one of our team reads it through and gets in touch with you about what we find. Nothing is decided automatically: a person checks every bill.
Your reference: -. Keep it if you'd like to ask us about your bill.
Step 1 of 3
Who are we checking for?
Just your company name and the site's postcode. We keep them when you press the button, so our team can help if you're overpaying.
Thanks. On to the questions.
Step 2 of 3
Quick questions
Tap the answer that fits. Each one decides what we ask next.
Got your bill to hand?
Making your code...
- 1Open your phone's camera and point it at the code.
- 2Tap the link that appears, and agree on your phone.
- 3Take a photo of each page, then press Done.
From your phone
The code works for 20 minutes and for one phone. Nothing is sent until you agree on your phone.
Linking to your computer...
Or email your bill to [email protected], or call us on 01273 914000.
Ready to send
Please tick both boxes first.
How we use what you send: Privacy Notice. We virus check every bill.
Lay it flat, in good light, with every figure readable. Up to 6 pages.
Stopped
Your photos have been deleted and the link no longer works.
Step 3 of 3
Your result
One of our team will be in touch soon to talk through next steps.
Thanks. One of our team will call you soon.
Want to know more?
Thanks, we've got your bill
Here's what happens next. We virus check it, then one of our team reads it through and gets in touch with you about what we find. Nothing is decided automatically: a person checks every bill.
Your reference: -. Keep it if you'd like to ask us about your bill.
Rough figures are fine. We'll add them to your enquiry so our team can check them.
We can still cut your bill
The tax may be right, but the price you pay is where most businesses save. Tell us when your contract ends and we'll compare prices from suitable suppliers before your renewal, so you never roll onto out-of-contract rates.
Thanks. We'll be in touch before your renewal window opens.
Rather talk now? Call 01273 914000.
This is a check of your answers against HMRC's rules. It isn't tax advice. Your supplier sets the Climate Change Levy from what you actually use and any certificate you've given them, so we always check your bills before we confirm anything.
Anything else we can check for you?
We've got your bill, so there's nothing more to send. Tick what else you'd like us to check on it.
Thanks. We'll check those on your bill too.
Try our other tools:
- Business Energy VAT Checker See if you're paying 20% VAT when you should pay less.
- Climate Change Levy checker See if you're paying a levy you don't owe.
- MPAN checker See what the numbers on your electricity bill mean.
- Business energy savings calculator See what you pay a year, and what a better rate would save you.
- Are you ready for MHHS? Our new MHHS check is coming soon. Leave your details and we'll be in touch.
- Business energy bill check Upload your bill once and we'll check the VAT, the Climate Change Levy, your rates and standing charges, and look for mistakes.
We'll fill in the details you've already given us.
The levy you might not owe
From 1 April 2026 the levy is £0.00801 per kWh (0.801p) for electricity and gas. From 1 April 2027 it's £0.00827 per kWh. You'll see it on your bill. These are HMRC's rates, as of October 2026.
A small supply, a home or a charity's non-business use shouldn't have a levy line at all. These also pay the lower rate of VAT. If your bill charges the levy, you're paying a tax you shouldn't be, on every bill.
Ways to pay less levy
- A climate change agreement: Energy-intensive businesses that agree targets with the Environment Agency pay 92% less levy on electricity and 89% less on gas. Your trade association can tell you if you can join.
- Mineral and metal processes: Energy used to make glass, ceramics, bricks, cement or lime, or to work metals, hasn't paid the levy since 1 April 2014.
- Making your own power: Solar panels, a wind turbine or combined heat and power mean you buy fewer units, so there's less levy on your bill.
A green tariff won't cut it. Renewable electricity from a supplier has paid the levy since 1 August 2015. A carbon reduction plan won't cut it either.
Whatever fits you, your supplier needs the right certificate before your bill changes. We'll help you get it right, chase any refund and check every bill after.
Questions people ask
Who pays the Climate Change Levy?
Businesses in industry, commerce, farming and public services. From 1 April 2026 it's £0.00801 per kWh for electricity and gas, rising to £0.00827 per kWh from 1 April 2027.
Who shouldn't be paying it?
Small users (on average no more than 33 kWh of electricity or 145 kWh of gas a day), homes and other places people live, and a charity's free activities. Energy used in mineral and metal processes doesn't pay it either. If your bill has a levy line and one of these fits you, you could be owed money back.
How can I pay less levy?
With a climate change agreement. Energy-intensive businesses agree targets with the Environment Agency and pay 92% less levy on electricity and 89% less on gas. Your trade association can tell you if you can join. Your supplier needs the right certificate before your bill changes.
Does green electricity or a carbon reduction plan cut the levy?
No. Renewable electricity from a supplier has paid the levy since 1 August 2015, so a green tariff is charged the same as any other. A carbon reduction plan doesn't cut it either. Making your own power does help, because you buy fewer units.
Can I get an overpaid levy back?
Often, yes. With the right certificate, you can claim back levy you shouldn't have paid for up to four years. We'll check your bills and take it up with your supplier for you.
No pressure, just a straightforward check from people who know what to look for. Call us on 01273 914000.
Words we use on this page
- CCL (Climate Change Levy)
- A tax on the electricity and gas businesses use, charged per kWh and shown on your bill. From 1 April 2026 it's 0.801p per kWh, and 0.827p from 1 April 2027. Homes, a charity's non-business use and small supplies don't pay it. Source: HMRC, Climate Change Levy rates
- Small supply (de minimis)
- A supply small enough to get the 5% rate even for a business: on average no more than 33 kWh a day (1,000 kWh a month) of electricity, or 145 kWh a day (4,397 kWh a month) of gas, at one site. Small supplies don't pay the Climate Change Levy either. Source: HMRC, Fuel and power (VAT Notice 701/19)
- Non-business use
- Activities a charity doesn't charge for. Energy used for them gets the lower rate of VAT and doesn't pay the Climate Change Levy. Activities the charity charges for are business use. Source: HMRC, Fuel and power (VAT Notice 701/19)
- Residential accommodation
- Houses and flats, care homes, children's homes, hospices, student halls, caravans, houseboats and self-catering holiday lets all count. Hotels, hospitals and prisons don't. Source: HMRC, Fuel and power (VAT Notice 701/19)
- Climate change agreement (CCA)
- An agreement an energy-intensive business makes with the Environment Agency to use less energy. In return it pays much less levy: 92% less on electricity and 89% less on gas. Source: HMRC, Climate Change Levy rates
- Mineral and metal processes
- Making things like glass, ceramics, bricks, cement and lime, and working metals. Energy used in these processes hasn't paid the levy since 1 April 2014, once your supplier has the right certificate. Source: HMRC, Climate Change Levy reliefs (Excise Notice CCL1/3)
- VAT (value added tax)
- A tax on most goods and services, energy included. On business energy it's 20%, 5% or 0%, depending on how much you use and what you use it for. Source: GOV.UK, VAT rates
- Reduced rate
- The lower rate of VAT, 5%. Energy gets it when it's a small supply or goes to a qualifying use, such as homes or a charity's free activities. Gas, and electricity in Northern Ireland, are charged 5% for these. Source: HMRC, Fuel and power (VAT Notice 701/19)
- VAT certificate
- A signed form you give your supplier saying what percentage of the energy at a site goes to a qualifying use. You need one for each site. Your supplier has to check it, so they may ask for your workings. Getting it wrong can mean a penalty. Source: HMRC, Fuel and power (VAT Notice 701/19)
- EAC (Estimated Annual Consumption)
- The electricity industry's estimate of how many kWh your meter uses in a year, used in settlement until real readings replace it. It's often on your bill or contract. Source: Elexon glossary, estimated annual consumption
- kWh (kilowatt-hour)
- The unit electricity is billed in: using 1 kilowatt of power for one hour. A 2 kW heater left on for an hour uses 2 kWh.