Consumer champion Martin Lewis has urged households not to panic if they can’t submit a meter reading.
Energy customers have been encouraged to submit meter readings before October 1 to ensure they 'draw a line in the sand' before they get charged higher prices. However, due to the surge of people accessing energy websites, some have been put in queues or told to try again at another time.
The new price cap comes into force on October 1 with the new Energy Price Guarantee freezing the average yearly bill at £2.500 for two years.
READ MORE- SSE issues important update for customers trying to submit their meter readings
However, it must be noted this is not a cap on the bill - it is only a cap on how much each unit is sold for. Use more, and you'll pay more.
As The Mirror reports, Martin Lewis encouraged people to submit their readings through the week rather than on the day. This came after websites crashed earlier this year. When the price cap went up on April 1 to £1,971, energy websites crashed the day before as households desperately tried to submit a meter reading before bills went up.
However, speaking on a one-off Martin Lewis Money Show Live broadcast on ITV last week, the financial guru said most energy firms will let you backdate your reading.
He said: “You don’t actually need to submit a meter reading on the day. Most firms will let you submit it afterwards and backdate it.”
Similarly, if you took a meter reading earlier this week, Martin said it will make “very little tangible difference” to your bill.
“Let’s not call it meter reading day anymore - let’s switch to meter reading week,” he added.
He also highlighted some examples of the dates energy firms have provided for when you can backdate your meter reading.
Last day you can input your meter readings
- British Gas customers will have until October 14 to submit their readings
- Bulb is giving customers three days
- E.ON customers will have until October 5
- Octopus Energy customers have until October 7 to submit readings
- EDF users can backdate up until October 7
- Shell households get 30 days
- Ovo and SSE will let you provide a meter reading at a later date, but only over the phone
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