Updated in March 2022

To use the Fuel Poverty Calculator, there are three elements to download.

The calculator itself, a document explaining how to enable macros in Excel 2007 (which some users might require), and an introduction to using the tool:

About the tool

Please note that the ‘net income’ part of the calculation is quite involved, so there is an extra sheet on the Data Collection Form which takes you through this calculation step-by-step.

The calculator also includes the “10% indicator” definition of fuel poverty (the definition in England until 2013 and still broadly the definition in Wales and Northern Ireland) and the “Low Income High Costs” definition as used in England from 2013 to 2021. The definition of fuel poverty in Scotland is similar to the “10% indicator” definition but a bit more involved, so is not included in the tool.

The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) publish an in-depth publication on the methodology used to calculate fuel poverty. This can be found here.

Please be aware that to accurately determine whether a household is in fuel poverty, this calculator requires you to enter total annual energy costs from an energy assessment in order for it to calculate fuel poverty correctly (see info in the spreadsheet). Without this information, the calculator results should merely been seen as indicative.

Please get back to us with any feedback you have on how it is to use, including any suggested improvements and additions that you think would make the tool more helpful for your work.