The-Bunch Limited – Fair Usage Policy
What does this policy outline (put simply)?
Bunch’s Fixed Energy and Fixed Water Plans are designed to make budgeting simpler by giving you a clear, predictable monthly cost for your household bills. For most homes, these plans comfortably cover normal day-to-day domestic use, so you don’t need to worry about high energy or water prices due to fluctuating prices.
To keep fixed prices fair for everyone, these plans are based on typical household usage for your property size and occupancy. That means they may not be suitable for homes with unusually high or non-standard consumption, such as charging an electric vehicle at home, running energy-intensive equipment, or using water at levels well above normal domestic use. This policy explains what fair usage means, how we monitor usage, and what happens if consumption goes significantly beyond what the plan is designed to cover, so you always know where you stand.
Policy Details
Bunch offers Fixed Energy Plans and Fixed Water Plans, which allow customers to pay a fixed monthly amount based on their property size, declared occupancy and an industry-standard forecast of typical domestic consumption. These fixed prices are designed to cover normal household use for the duration of the contract, provided that usage remains within reasonable and expected domestic levels. Any references to clauses in this policy refer to our full T&Cs, which can be viewed here https://the-bunch.co.uk/terms-conditions/.
A Fixed Energy Plan is calculated using recognised industry data, including Ofgem’s Typical Domestic Consumption Values, and the agreed monthly price remains fixed for the contract term. Full details of how this price is calculated are set out in your Pre-Contract Information (PCI) and supporting website information. The fixed monthly price includes typical domestic energy consumption within the limits defined by Bunch’s Fair Usage Policy (Fixed Energy), which forms part of your contract (see clause 5.15(b) and clause 18.8).
A Fixed Water Plan operates in the same way. The fixed monthly amount is calculated using your property size, declared occupancy and industry-standard water consumption data, including Ofwat benchmarks. The calculation method and applicable allowance are set out in your PCI, contract documentation, and the fair usage table referenced in clause 5.16(g). The fixed price covers typical domestic water consumption within the limits defined by this Fair Usage Policy (Fixed Water) (see clause 5.16(a)–(b)).
Fair usage means normal, reasonable domestic use for a household of your declared size and occupancy. Usage may be considered excessive where it exceeds the applicable allowance by a significant margin or falls outside the range of normal domestic consumption. For energy, this includes usage that materially exceeds Ofgem’s Typical Domestic Consumption Values. For water, this includes usage that significantly exceeds the applicable fair usage allowance for your property size (see definitions of “Excessive Usage” and clauses 5.15(c) and 5.16(c)).
Bunch monitors energy usage using verified meter data or other reliable evidence. Customers on Fixed Energy Plans are required to provide meter data, including accepting the installation of a smart meter where reasonably required, for fair usage monitoring to take place (see clauses 5.15(c) and 7.6(b)). Water usage is monitored using meter readings uploaded by you to your Customer Portal or readings provided by your water supplier. Where a property is unmetered, we may assess fair usage by comparing the financial value of your Fixed Water Plan against the actual cost of water charged by the monopoly supplier for your area (see clauses 5.16(e) and 13.7).
If we identify usage that appears excessive, we will contact you in writing with details of the usage identified and guidance on how you may reduce consumption. For Fixed Energy Plans, we may offer to re-price your plan or move you to a higher Fixed Energy tier, or we may apply a surcharge for consumption above the published allowance at the excess rates set out in your PCI and on our website. Any surcharge will be shown as a separate line item on your next statement and will only be applied following at least 30 days’ written notice.
Fixed Energy Fair Usage Allowance
| Property Size | Electricity (kWh per year) | Gas (kWh per year) |
| 1 | 3,502 | 10,154 |
| 2 | 3,655 | 12,781 |
| 3 | 3,892 | 14,795 |
| 4 | 5,126 | 19,970 |
| 5 | 6,348 | 20,821 |
| 6 | 8,525 | 28,683 |
| 7 | 9,257 | 30,403 |
| 8 | 9,989 | 32,123 |
| 9 | 10,722 | 34,811 |
| 10 | 11,794 | 38,292 |
| 11 | 12,973 | 42,121 |
| 12 | 14,270 | 46,333 |
For Fixed Water Plans, where excessive usage is identified, we may offer to re-price or upgrade your Fixed Water Plan, or we may transfer you to a variable Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) Water Plan. Under the PAYG Water Plan, you will be charged at the monopoly water supplier’s rates for your area, plus an additional 60p per day standing or handling charge.
If excessive usage continues for more than 30 days after we have issued written notice, we may terminate your Fixed Energy Plan and transfer you to a Flexible Energy Plan or Standard Variable Tariff, or terminate your Fixed Water Plan and transfer you to a PAYG Water Plan. We will always confirm the new tariff or plan details and applicable rates in writing before any change takes effect.
Where excessive water usage is caused by a water leak, whether visible or hidden, you remain responsible for any water consumption above your agreed Fixed Water Plan allowance. Once the leak has been repaired, we may apply to your water supplier for a leak allowance or discount. If a discount is granted and is sufficient to bring your usage back within fair usage limits, no additional charges will apply, and you may remain on your Fixed Water Plan for the remainder of your contract (see clause 5.16(f)).
Fair usage for Fixed Water Plans is assessed using the annual water consumption allowances set out below. These allowances are used to judge whether usage is fair or excessive under clauses 5.16, 13.7 and 13.8 of the Terms and Conditions.
Fixed Water Fair Usage Allowance
| Property Size | Annual Allowance (m³) |
| 1 | 105 |
| 2 | 156 |
| 3 | 188 |
| 4 | 221 |
| 5 | 255 |
| 6 | 276 |
| 7 | 309 |
| 8 | 342 |
| 9 | 375 |
| 10 | 408 |
| 11 | 441 |
| 12 | 474 |
If you exit a Fixed Water Plan for any reason after having been on it, you will revert to our PAYG Water Plan from the start of your contract. Under this plan, you will pay for the actual water billed by the monopoly supplier, plus a 60p per day handling charge.
Bunch may suspend or terminate a Fixed Energy or Fixed Water Plan with at least 30 days’ written notice where there is evidence of misuse. This includes providing materially false or misleading information at sign-up, refusing required meter access or data provision for energy, continued excessive usage after notice, or where we reasonably believe energy or water is being used fraudulently or for non-domestic purposes. In all cases, we will set out the reasons, supporting evidence and how you may contact us to provide information or appeal before any change takes effect.
This Fair Usage Policy is incorporated into your contract, and is also available in your Pre-Contract Information.