MHHS explained: what market-wide half-hourly settlement means for your business
Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement is moving every meter in Great Britain to half-hourly settlement. Here are the key dates, the new MSA, ADS and SDS roles, and a…
Load Profile & DUoS Analysis
Turn your half-hourly data into plain-English reports that show your base load, out-of-hours waste and red-band peaks, and where shifting loads could reduce costs.
Talk to us on 07565 147 170
Your half-hourly meter records how much electricity your site uses in every 30-minute period: 48 readings a day and 17,520 a year. That data shows exactly when you use power, and when you use it has a direct effect on what you pay.
We turn your half-hourly data into clear reports that show where electricity is going, which periods cost the most and what you could realistically change.
Why timing matters: DUoS bands
Distribution Use of System (DUoS) unit rates are split into time bands. Red is the most expensive, usually on weekday late afternoons and early evenings, around 16:00 to 19:00 or 16:30 to 19:30 depending on your region. Amber covers the weekday shoulder periods, and green, the cheapest, covers overnight and weekends. Each of the 14 DNO regions sets its own times in its annual charging statement. Our explainer on DUoS red, amber and green bands covers this in more detail.
What we look for in your data
- Base load: the electricity your site uses when it should be at its quietest.
- Out-of-hours use: lighting, heating, air conditioning, compressors or equipment left running overnight and at weekends.
- Red-band peaks: heavy use during the most expensive DUoS period.
- Maximum demand: peaks that affect your Agreed Supply Capacity and excess capacity charges.
- Start-up spikes: several large loads switching on at the same moment.
- Trends: changes month to month that might point to faulty equipment or new working patterns.
Shifting loads
Some loads can move. Battery charging, pre-cooling or pre-heating, batch processes, pumping and water heating can often run earlier or later without affecting the business. Moving them out of the red band can reduce DUoS costs. Solar and batteries add more options, and our guide to solar, batteries and EV charging on half-hourly sites explains how. We'll tell you which changes look practical and which are unlikely to be worth the effort.
Reports in plain English
You don't need to be an energy specialist to use our reports, and you don't need to install anything new to get one. We show your profile in simple charts, explain what each pattern means and list practical actions in order of likely value. Where a change would affect your capacity or contract, we say so. For more ideas, see our guide on how to cut costs with half-hourly data.
Who this service suits
Load profile analysis suits manufacturers with shift patterns, warehouses and cold stores, hotels, care homes, schools, offices and retailers with long opening hours. It is useful for any business that wants to understand its bills before renewing a contract, or that has made changes on site and wants to see the effect.
How it works
- Share your data. Send 12 months of half-hourly data, or let us request it with a letter of authority.
- We analyse your profile. We map your usage against your region's DUoS bands, your ASC and your opening hours.
- You get a clear report. We explain what we found and the actions worth considering.
- We follow up. If you make changes, we can compare the data afterwards to show what moved.
Analysis often leads naturally into a supply capacity review or a better-matched half-hourly contract.
Request your free analysis
Your half-hourly data already holds the answers. Request a free load profile analysis or call 07565 147 170 and we'll show you what it says.
Questions about load profile analysis
Where do I get my half-hourly data?
Your supplier or data service holds it, and many suppliers provide it through an online portal or on request. If you aren't sure how to get it, you can sign a letter of authority and we will request it for you. Twelve months of data gives the clearest picture, but we can start with less.
What is a red-band DUoS charge?
DUoS unit rates are split into red, amber and green time bands. Red is the most expensive, usually on weekday late afternoons and early evenings. The exact times depend on your Distribution Network Operator region. Using less electricity during the red band can reduce your DUoS costs, particularly on pass-through contracts.
Do I need special equipment to get a load profile?
No. If your site has a half-hourly meter, the data is already being recorded every 30 minutes and collected remotely. We use that existing data to build your load profile. Sub-metering can add detail for individual buildings or equipment, but it isn't needed to get started.
Find out what your half-hourly supply should cost
Send us a recent bill. We will check every charge, compare contracts from UK suppliers and tell you plainly whether you can pay less. Free, and no obligation.
