What are my MPAN, MPRN, and Meter Serial Number?

Energy (electricity and gas) is supplied in UK homes by different energy suppliers. The cost of energy supplied to homes is charged by these energy suppliers through a bill. If you have ever closely examined an energy bill received at your property, you would have most probably come across three different terms: MPAN, MPRN, and MSN (meter serial number). Sometimes another term appears on the energy bill, "ID" instead of MSN.

Contrary to the common perception, all these terms refer to separate things, though all are part of the energy supplied to a particular property. Many homeowners mistakenly consider these terms to refer to one and the same thing, the cost of energy consumed at their property, which is not correct.  While MSN or ID directly refer to the identification of the energy meter, MPAN and MPRN refer to the point of energy supply, in simple words, the property.

This blog provides a practical guide to understanding what MPAN, MPRN, and meter serial numbers are and why these are important for a homeowner.

What MPAN, MPRN, And MSN Refer To?

All these three terms are abbreviations that refer to different numbers as follows:

·         MPAN stands for Meter Point Administration Number.

·         MPRN stands for Meter Point Reference Number.

·         MSN stands for Meter Serial Number.

Likewise, these abbreviated terms point to a specific purpose as follows:

·         MPAN – It is related to Electricity Supply.

·         MPRN – It is associated with Gas Supply.

·         MSN – It is the physical number that refers to the energy meter. It is not specifically related to electricity or gas; it is just the identification of the energy meter.

But the most important thing a homeowner should be aware of is what these numbers refer to and what they identify.

Here is a detailed explanation of these abbreviated expressions:

·         MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number): MPAN identifies the point of electricity supply. In simple words, it identifies the location where the electricity is being supplied by the energy supplier. It is a unique number that is associated with the property, not the energy meter. Even if the energy meter is replaced, the electricity supply remains associated with this unique number. It does not change with the replacement of the energy meter.

·         MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number): MPRN identifies the point of gas supply. It points to the exact location where the energy suppliers are supplying gas. It is a unique number assigned to the property for gas supply. Just like MPAN, MPRN is also a permanent number that does not change even if the energy meter is replaced.

·         Meter Serial Number (MSN): MSN identifies the physical existence of an energy meter. It is a physical number assigned to a particular energy meter, installed by the energy suppliers at your home. The energy suppliers generate your energy bills on the basis of readings of this meter. It is not related to electricity or gas supply; it is just the meter that measures energy consumption to generate an energy bill for your property.   

What Is My MPAN, MPRN, and Meter Serial Number?

Normally, all these numbers are mentioned on the energy bill, sent to homes by the energy suppliers. Additionally, there are some other ways to find these numbers.

Here is a simplified explanation about where to find MPAN, MPRN, and Meter Serial Number:

·        Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) – Electricity

Comprising 21 or 24 digits and starting with the "S", the Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) is an identity number referring to individual electricity supply points. This number is usually mentioned on the top right or bottom of the energy bill, in a grid form. Mostly, it appears on the second page of the energy bill, alongside "Details of Charges.

An MPAN typically looks as follows:

S

12  345  6  78901

2345678901234

Although this number comprises either 21 or 24 digits, the actual MPAN appears on the bottom line (2345678901234, in the above example). So, whenever you want to refer to your MPAN, quote only this number.

The MPAN is required to be quoted in the following cases:

1.       When you want to confirm which property the electricity supply belongs to. If the energy supplier has a wrong MPAN, the energy bill might be charged to some other property, incorrectly.

2.       When you want to switch your electricity supply company.

3.       When you need to set up your new electricity account.

4.       When moving to your home.

5.       When you need to report any issues with the electricity supply.

6.       When registering for solar energy.

7.       When registering for an EV charger.

8.       When corrections are required in billing.

·        Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) – Gas

Just like the MPAN, MPRN is also mentioned on the energy bill, usually under the tariff section and alongside the “Details of Charges”. Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) is a unique number that identifies the individual gas supply points. Usually, it comprises 6 to 10 digits, without any alphabetics.

It normally looks like 1234567890 or 123456, depending on the energy supply company. This number is required for many purposes, as follows:

1.       While switching your gas supply company.

2.       While setting up a new gas account.

3.       While moving into a new house.

4.       If you want to get a new gas connection or want to disconnect the current gas connection.

5.       If you want to track the usage of gas in your home.

6.       If you need to fix the billing errors.

7.       Most importantly, a wrongly quoted MPRN may lead to charging the wrong property against your gas consumption.

·        Meter Serial Number (MSN)

The Meter Serial Number or MSN is also mentioned on the energy bill. Physically, it can be found printed on the energy meter. Essentially, both numbers, as mentioned on the energy bill and printed physically on the energy meter itself, should invariably be the same. So, this number is in fact an identity of your energy meter, hence it is also referred to as ID number on some of the energy bills, depending on the energy supply company.

Depending on the meter brand, the pattern of the Meter Serial Number varies, but mostly it is a mix of letters and numbers. Most common formats look like:

·         E12345

·         G4A12345

·         L06A123456

A meter serial number (MSN or ID) is often required for the following purposes:

1.       To confirm that the supplier is billing with the correct meter number. If the serial number on your meter does not match the one mentioned on the bill, it indicates that you are being billed incorrectly.

2.       To confirm and verify that the meter readings are correctly captured.

3.       To confirm that the bill being paid by you actually belongs to your property.

4.       It may also be required for the installation of new meters in your property.

How To Find And Confirm MPAN, MPRN, and Meter Serial Number?

If you are not sure about your MPAN, MPRN, and MSN, you can find and verify them in the following ways:

·         Check your current energy (electricity and gas) bill. All these numbers are clearly mentioned on it. The meter serial number can be cross-matched with the printed number on the energy meter.

·         The Meter Serial Number can be checked and verified from your energy meter. It is usually in the form of a barcode, label, or printed on the face of the meter, near the meter-reading window.  

·         MPAN, MPRN, and Meter Serial Number can also be checked and confirmed on your online energy account. These can be found on your account under property details, and then by checking the relevant energy supply details. Almost every energy supply company provides this facility on your online energy account.

·         MPAN can also be confirmed by calling the Electricity Network Operators. Alternatively, you can call the National Electricity Helpline.

·         MPRN can also be found and confirmed by calling the National Gas Helpline.

Important

If you change your current energy meter to a smart meter, your MPAN and MPRN will still remain the same, whereas the meter serial number will be changed.

Conclusion

Meter Point Administration Number, abbreviated as MPAN, and Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) are very important numbers that every homeowner must know. These two numbers refer to the supply points of electricity and gas, respectively, which refer to your property. On the other hand, Meter Serial Number points to the energy meter installed in your property. All these three numbers can be found on your energy bill, where MPAN and MPRN refer to the energy supply, while the MSN or ID refers to the energy meter that reflects the energy consumed at your property. The energy suppliers send the energy bill on the basis of readings captured on the energy meter.

Hence, it is highly important for the homeowners to know their MPAN, MPRN, and Meter Serial Number, as any miscommunicated number may lead to wrong billing. If any of these numbers do not match those of yours, you might be paying the energy bill of some other property, instead of your own.