Exact dates millions of households must take a meter reading at every major energy supplier as price cap changes
MILLIONS of households have been urged to send energy meter readings to their supplier as cheaper prices come into effect.
The average household energy bill has fallen by 7% today after Ofgem lowered its price cap in response to wholesale prices.
The regulator has dropped the cap from the previous £1,690 for a typical dual fuel household in England, Scotland and Wales to £1,568, a fall of £122 over the course of a year.
This is around £500 less than the cap in July last year when it was £2,074.
The average household is expected to spend £83 on energy in July, compared with £127 in June.
This is due to the lower cap and lower usage due to warmer weather, comparison site Uswitch calculated.
However, those households on a standard variable tariff – as opposed to a fixed deal – and who do not have a smart meter should submit their electricity and gas readings to their supplier as close as possible to July 1 to ensure they are billed accurately at the lower prices.
Those who do not submit readings risk having some of their usage after this date charged at the previous, more expensive rates.
Suppliers who have not received meter readings base their bills on estimated usage, meaning households could be overpaying, while others may not be paying enough.
But even if you took your meter reading close to July 1, you don’t have to submit it straight away.
Many firms actually offer longer for customers to submit the reading, but you must do it by that date.
It’s worth bearing in mind that you don’t need to submit a meter reading if you’re on a fixed energy tariff, a smart meter or a traditional prepayment meter.
You may want to double-check that any smart meter readings being sent are correct so you’re not overcharged though.
Below we reveal the dates each major supplier says readings must be submitted by and how you can do so.
British Gas
British Gas customers can submit their meter readings on any date before July 14.
Customers can do this on their online account, via the British Gas app, over the phone or a form which can be found on the firm’s website.
You can call 0330 100 0056 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
How do I calculate my energy bill?
BELOW we reveal how you can calculate your own energy bill.
To calculate how much you pay for your energy bill, you must find out your unit rate for gas and electricity and the standing charge for each fuel type.
The unit rate will usually be shown on your bill in p/kWh.The standing charge is a daily charge that is paid 365 days of the year – irrespective of whether or not you use any gas or electricity.
You will then need to note down your own annual energy usage from a previous bill.
Once you have these details, you can work out your gas and electricity costs separately.
Multiply your usage in kWh by the unit rate cost in p/kWh for the corresponding fuel type – this will give you your usage costs.
You’ll then need to multiply each standing charge by 365 and add this figure to the totals for your usage – this will then give you your annual costs.
Divide this figure by 12, and you’ll be able to determine how much you should expect to pay each month from April 1.
Scottish Power
Scottish Power customers have until July 5 to submit any meter readings.
Readings will be back dated to June 30.
They can do this on their online account, via its app or over the phone on 0800 027 8000 24 hours a day.
EDF
EDF customers can send backdated meter readings until the end of July 9.
They can do this via their online accounts, WhatsApp, SMS or a form on the supplier’s website.
Ovo Energy
Households with Ovo Energy have up to 10 days after April 1 to submit their backdated meter readings – July 11.
Customers can do this via their online accounts, app, or over the phone on 0330 303 5063 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy is letting customers submit their meter readings up until the end of July 8.
They can do this via their online accounts, a form on its website, app or email.
E.On Next
You can submit your backdated meter reading by July 8 if you’re a E.On Next customer.
Households can do this via their online account, app, by email or over the phone on 0808 501 5200.
The phone line is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4pm on Fridays.
What energy bill help is available?
THERE'S a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £1,500.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
How to take a meter reading
Smart meters
If you have a smart meter, you don’t need to take a reading, as this is sent to your supplier automatically.
But it is worth making sure that your meter is sending readings correctly, as sometimes smart meters can have issues.
Take a photo of your meter on July 1, and compare it to what is showing when you log into your energy account.
It is worth keeping the photo as you can submit it to your provider later if there are any disputes.
Electricity meters
If you have a digital electricity or gas meter, you will see a row of six numbers on the display dashboard – five in black and one in red.
You will need to note down the five numbers in black and ignore the red number.
If you are on an Economy 7 or 10 tariff you may see two rows of numbers.
You should take both down.
If you have a traditional dial meter, you will have to read the first five dials from left to right and ignore any red ones.
If the pointer is between two numbers, write down the lower number. If it’s between nine and zero, write down nine.
If the pointer is directly over a number, write down that number and underline it.
Citizens Advice says that if you’ve underlined a number, check the next dial to the right.
If the pointer on that dial is between 9 and 0, reduce the number you’ve underlined by 1. For example, if you originally wrote down 5, change it to 4.
Gas meters
If you have a digital metric meter showing five numbers then a decimal place, you only need to write down the first five numbers from left to right.
If you have a digital imperial meter your meter will read four black numbers and two red numbers – note down the four black numbers only.
If you have a dial gas meter follow the same steps for those with a dial electricity meter but ignore underlining any figures.
Once you have taken a meter reading you can take a picture of it and send it to your supplier through whichever means.
According to comparethemarket.com, how often you should submit readings will depend on how often you pay.
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