Consumption Cost Overview (CCO): Bringing Energy Transparency to District Heating

What is CCO?

The Consumption Cost Overview (CCO) is an intuitive dashboard that shows energy usage and costs in a clear, visual format. Available both on the supplier platform and in the customer portal, CCO helps end-users:

• Track actual vs. estimated consumption: understand past usage and predict future needs

• Compare across periods: spot trends and identify changes in consumption

• Benchmark against similar users: see how usage compares to peers or consumption groups

• Break down costs: distinguish between fixed (subscription) and variable (usage) charges, billed and estimated

By simplifying complex energy data, CCO empowers customers to take control of their consumption while reducing billing confusion and support inquiries.

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CCO’s Dutch roots: compliance meets innovation

In the Netherlands, regulations require heating suppliers to provide end-consumers with detailed insights into their energy usage and costs. The CCO was originally developed to meet these requirements, giving Dutch customers transparent, actionable information about their consumption.

At Zero Friction, we didn’t want to stop there. We recognized that energy transparency benefits all customers, regardless of location. That’s why we’ve made CCO available to all Zero Friction users, extending trust and clarity beyond the Dutch market.

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Why CCO is essential for heating and coolings suppliers

1. Build customer trust: Providing a clear view of energy/service usage and costs strengthens relationships and increases confidence in your services.

2. Empower users to save energy: Customers who understand their consumption patterns are more likely to adopt energy-efficient behaviors, reducing costs and environmental impact.

3. Ensure regulatory compliance: For markets like the Netherlands, CCO helps suppliers meet legal requirements while establishing best practices for transparency in other regions.

4. Reduce support friction: Clear insights mean fewer customer calls, questions, and disputes over billing or consumption estimates.

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How CCO works

For periods without actual meter readings, CCO calculates estimated consumption using a synthetic load profile (SLP) combined with expected annual consumption. Costs are then split into fixed and variable charges, providing customers with a realistic view of what to expect, even before actual meter readings are available.

This approach not only ensures transparency but also supports proactive energy management and informed budgeting.

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The Zero Friction advantage

With VKO integrated into the customer portal, heating and cooling suppliers can:

• Provide a smooth, trust-driven experience

• Reduce administrative overhead

• Improve customer satisfaction

By offering customers a transparent view of their energy usage and costs, suppliers create an environment where energy is easy, fair, and frictionless.

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Conclusion

The Consumption Cost Overview (CCO) is more than a dashboard. It’s a powerful tool for energy transparency, trust, and customer empowerment. By making energy data clear and actionable, CCO helps suppliers enhance the customer experience, encourage energy-efficient behaviors, and strengthen loyalty across all markets.

At Zero Friction, we’re proud to support heating and cooling suppliers in delivering a frictionless, transparent, and customer-focused energy experience, one clear graph at a time.

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