FAQ

You should ideally use:

• your annual gas or electricity bill
• the e-mail sent to you by Sibelga with your EAN code

For electricity, you will need to know your:

• annual consumption during peak hours (day) in kWh
• annual consumption during off-peak hours (night) in kWh (if applicable)
• annual consumption exclusively at night in kWh (if applicable)
• power of your connection in kVA (found on the letter received from SIBELGA containing your EAN code)

For gas, you will need to know your:

• annual consumption in kWh

If you do not have this information, you can still retrieve an indicative simulation based on predefined consumption profiles.

Single-rate meter:

This meter is also called a single-phase meter. It has only one display. No distinction is made between peak and off-peak hours.

Dual-rate meter:

Dual-rate meters have two displays which are alternately engaged and cut at the beginning of each rate period. Consumption during peak and off-peak hours is recorded separately.

The weekend is considered off-peak.

Night-only meter:

A night-only meter is, as its name indicates, a meter that works only at night. The hours of operation are available from the distribution system operator.

The weekend is not considered as night hours, unlike the dual-rate meter.

A bi-directional meter:

In the case of decentralised generation systems (solar panels, etc.), bi-directional meters separately measure the energy taken from and fed into the grid. Bi-directional meters can be programmed as single-rate or dual-rate meters.

For gas, there is no consumption range available.

The power of your connection is measured in kVA (kilovolt-amps). It can be found on the letter sent by SIBELGA containing your EAN code. If you do not know what connection you have, you can still run a simulation by choosing the default power (13-18 kVA). The power of your connection is used to determine the amount of the PSO (Public Service Obligation) levy on your annual electricity bill.

There is also a PSO levy on your annual gas bill based on the calibre of your gas meter (G4 or G6 for residential meters).

The annual gas consumption you are billed for is measured in kWh, a unit that refers to the energy contained in an amount of gas. Your meter measures the amount of gas in m³, i.e. the volume of a certain amount of gas.

The conversion of m³ into kWh depends on the calorific power of the gas delivered to you.

The distribution system operator publishes gross calorific power values monthly.

The standard consumer profiles for running a simulation without exact consumption figures are:

For electricity:

• Studio/apartment with lighting, refrigerator, …: 600 kWh (peak time).
• Small family with dishwasher/clothes washer: 1200 kWh (peak time).
• Medium family with electric water boiler (and day night meter): 1600 kWh (peak time) en 1900 kWh (off-peak).
• Medium family with electric water boiler: 3500 kWh (peak time).
• Large family with electric water boiler: 3600 kWh (peak time) and 3900 kWh (off-peak).
• Large family with electric heater : 3600 kWh (peak time), 3900 kWh (off-peak) and 12500 kWh (night-only meter).

For gas:

• Cooking/Warm water : small consumption: 2.326 kWh.
• Cooking/Warm water : large consumption: 4.652 kWh.
• Cooking/Warm water/Heating : small consumption: 23.260 kWh.
• Cooking/Warm water/Heating : large consumption: 34.890 kWh.
• Collective heating system for at least 10 units: 290.750 kWh.

We do not currently have standard consumer profiles for low-voltage corporate customers. The simulator can therefore not provide default values for these users.

However, in the Brussels region, the median annual consumption of all low-voltage corporate customers is 3163 kWh. For gas, this median consumption is: 13,685 kWh.

Fixed price

When signing your contract, the supplier sets the energy price. This price will remain fixed for the duration of the contract.

Variable or indexed price

This variable price fluctuates each month depending on market prices for electricity and gas. The price will be different for each reading.

Note: a variable price formula also includes a fixed amount. In fact, invariable costs are added to both fixed and variable prices, namely the subscription fees, network costs, taxes and surcharges.

The categories of people who qualify for the social tariff are defined by federal law. The following link lists all such conditions giving this right: http://www.creg.be/fr/tarifparame3.html

This status is granted automatically. Customers in Brussels who have unpaid bills and warning notices from their energy supplier may also qualify for this tariff if they meet at least one of the following conditions:

• If they benefit from the federal social tariff
• If they are enrolled in a debt mediation or a collective debt settlement process
• If the CPAS (Public Social Welfare Centre) grants them the status on the basis of a welfare investigation
• If BRUGEL grants them the status based on an analysis of their household income
• If a household member has the status of BIM (Bénéficiaire de l’intervention majorée). For more information, visit (<a href=”https://www.inami.fgov.be/citizen/fr/medical-cost/SANTH_4_4.htm” target=”_blank”>https://www.inami.fgov.be/citizen/fr/medical-cost/SANTH_4_4.htm) (only in French and Dutch</a>)

Sibelga replaces the previous supplier of the protected customers. Energy will be provided at a reduced tariff. However, the home will be fitted with a power limiter to limit the customer’s energy consumption.

The gas and electricity market was liberalised in 2007. Since then, consumers have been able to opt to switch suppliers. Consumers who choose to stay with the same supplier are customers of the default supplier, i.e. Engie Electrabel.

Engie Electrabel applies the tariffs included in a so-called basic offer to customers who have not switched supplier since 2007. This is what you will find under the default supplier option of the simulator.

In the Brussels-Capital Region, each contract for the supply of electricity must be for a minimum of 3 years. However, any residential customer may terminate the contract at no cost by giving two months’ notice. This does not apply to corporate customers.

The price simulator uses the same data as that on your energy bill. It calculates the sum of 3 parameters:

Gas or electricity price
This includes:

• The annual fee. This is the fixed amount you pay your supplier each year regardless of your consumption.
• The price per kWh. This is either the price determined at the time of signing the contract or the variable price depending on the market.
• The renewable energy contribution + Cogeneration. This includes the supplier’s costs for the purchase of green certificates.

Note: BruSim does not take into account promotional offers from suppliers.

Distribution and transportation costs
The amount you pay for the transportation and distribution of the electricity. These tariffs are identical for all suppliers. The transportation network tariff is approved by the CREG, the federal regulator and the distribution network tariff is approved by BRUGEL.

These costs are generally proportional to your consumption.

Taxes and surcharges
They are determined by the public authorities.

The simulation results for residential customers include VAT.

The simulation results for small corporate customers exclude VAT.

The situation is simple: if you are a residential customer, you can switch suppliers at any time. You can even switch suppliers before the end of your current contract, as long as the terms of this contract are met. If you do not know when your current contract ends, simply notify your new supplier. Your new supplier will then ask your current supplier for the date. Legislation in the Brussels region allows you to change supplier for free provided you give a month notice of termination.

This month period does not apply to corporate customers. For more information on switching supplier, see: https://www.brugel.brussels/acces_rapide/consommateurs-7/les-8-etapes-pour-changer-de-fournisseur-9

Green electricity is generated from renewable sources such as wind, sun, water and biomass. The use of green energy brings great benefits to the environment. The generation of green electricity does not produce CO² or nuclear waste and therefore helps to reduce the greenhouse effect. Some suppliers offer 100% green energy, whereas others offer a range of green energy and traditional energy services and others still neglect green energy entirely. When running the simulation on our site, the percentage of green electricity in each offer will be displayed.

No. The quality of the energy is guaranteed by the distribution network operator. The quality of your electricity and gas is therefore independent of your energy supplier.

No. Your connection is managed by your distribution network operator (SIBELGA).

Suppliers voluntarily submit their different tariff offers to the Brugel simulator. You will find a list of all the suppliers licensed to supply the Brussels-Capital Region at the following address: https://www.brugel.brussels/acces_rapide/les-acteurs-du-marche-10/liste-des-fournisseurs-28

I have a question or comment. Who can I contact? For any questions or comments regarding suppliers in the Brussels-Capital Region, contact InforgazElec at http://www.inforgazelec.be or on 02/209 21 90.

For questions or comments regarding the use of the simulator, write to info@brugel.brussels.