Households are preparing for increased energy bills over the next few months as new prices come into effect. The annual tariff is going up from £1,971 to £2,500 tomorrow (October 1), with this fee frozen for two years as part of the energy price guarantee unveiled by Prime Minister Liz Truss.
The price limits the amount which energy providers can charge per unit of gas or electricity. This means that some households could still pay more than the £2,500 fee over a year if they use more energy.
Concerns around how much people will be charged has sparked a flood of advice about how to get the best deal and making sure customers pay the right amount. Advice around the latter has included making sure to get a meter reading submitted to energy suppliers.
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People are being urged to take a meter reading over the next couple of days so their energy supplier has an accurate figure for the units that have been used. This also prevents suppliers from estimating a household's energy usage at the higher rate that is coming in.
Money Saving Expert (MSE) founder Martin Lewis is among those to urge people to get their readings in. On the MSE website, a message from says: "On Saturday the new energy price guarantee kicks in, meaning those households on capped tariffs - which is most (85%) in England, Scotland & Wales - will see their energy bills rise by an average 27%, though that's before the £400 winter all-homes electricity discount.
"If you pay by direct debit, firms estimate your usage, and assign it to a certain period. So for those who normally submit readings, doing it close to the date prices are due to change means there's no estimate, so no discrepancies (though there's always a chance a discrepancy could end up in your favour). It's worth taking a picture of the meter for belt 'n' braces evidence too.
"Let's turn 'meter reading day' into 'meter reading week'. The day before the last big price rise in April was referred to as 'meter reading day', and turned out to be far bigger than anyone expected (and yes, I'm probably to blame for that).
"The fact huge numbers did it on the same day meant energy firms' websites crashed and their phone lines went down. That led to huge frustration and time wasted for customers, and abuse for staff.
"I'm also concerned if that happens again, the many vulnerable people who need to call firms at the moment for support because they're struggling won't get through. So let's think of it as meter reading week.
"After all, you can do it a few days before, or even a few days after and the difference will be tiny. And you don't need to submit the reading on the day. Most firms let you backdate it, sometimes for up to a fortnight.
"As well as those paying by direct debit, for those who pay 'on receipt of bills' it's also worth submitting a reading.
"Those with working smart or prepay meters needn't do a reading. Though you might want to take a picture of the meter, just as backup. Nor do you need to bother if you're on one of the very cheap fixes, which means your rates won't be changing.
"On a Prepay meter? You may be able to keep the current prices even after Saturday.
"With some prepayment meters you get the rate when you top up, and it lasts until you top up again. So if you've cash (and I know that's a struggle for many right now), you may be able to keep the current price way after 1 October, thus forestalling the rise.
"This definitely won't work for gas meters, nor for smart electrical meters. Yet the most accurate info firms say they can give us is it will work for some firms' non-smart electricity prepayment meters.
"PS: Some on direct debit ask me whether they can artificially inflate readings before the deadline so more is at the cheaper rate. That's fraud, I'm afraid."
Consumer advice group Which? has also offered out advice on meter readings. A post on its website said: "Because increased unit rates for those on variable tariffs will start affecting bills from October 1, any energy used from then onwards will be charged at a higher rate than energy used up until that date.
"Energy suppliers have sophisticated ways to estimate how much energy you've used over a specific period, so you're unlikely to lose out if you're unable to submit a reading this weekend. But if you want to make sure you're definitely only paying the higher prices for energy you've used in October, it's a good idea to take a meter reading this weekend. This will help to ensure you're billed accurately for exactly what you've used.
"If you’re unable to send a meter reading to your energy company over this weekend, there’s no need to panic. Most providers will let you submit backdated meter readings for around a week after you took them.
"So take a note - ideally a photo - of your meter readings on September 30 and remember to upload them to your energy account at some point in the coming days, making it clear on which date the reading was taken.
"Some energy companies also have customer service email addresses or automated phone lines through which you can send in your meter readings. These methods may be a quicker way of submitting yours if websites face issues again.
"Sending your supplier regular meter readings will mean you can cross-reference your bills with your usage. And if you spot anything that doesn't look right, make sure you contact your provider to question it."
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