Energy bills are set to rise again when a new price cap comes into effect in October. On Friday, Ofgem announced that the energy price cap would be set at £3,549 this autumn - an increase of around 80 per cent on the current cap of £1,971.
In the past, experts including Martin Lewis have urged people affected by the price cap change to take meter readings just before the change is made, the Mirror reports. By taking a meter reading the day before the new price cap comes into effect, customers can tell their energy providers exactly how much gas and electricity they have used before the price goes up. This can reduce the risk of you being overcharged.
The new price cap of £3,549 will come into effect on October 1 this year. That means, people should look to submit their energy meter reading on Friday, September 30.
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Mr Lewis told viewers on his ITV show earlier this year: "That way you draw a line in the sand that says to your energy firm, I've only used this amount at the cheaper rate, don't start charging me more on the higher rate and estimating I use some of it afterwards."
On the last day of March, before the current price cap of £1,971 came into effect, energy customers struggled to access supplier websites due to unprecedented demand. Customers reported issues logging in to their accounts with British Gas, EDF, E.On, SSE, So Energy and Octopus Energy from early on in the day.
Mr Lewis and other experts, including Citizens Advice, urged householders to submit meter readings to avoid being overcharged, but energy firms were unable to keep up with the demand for their services. At the time, Which? consumer rights editor Adam French said: “Energy companies should have been prepared for higher numbers of customers getting in touch and should support any customers trying to submit their meter readings today.”
Energy firms described the situation as “unprecedented” and sought to calm customer anxiety by telling them they would be able to submit a date-stamped photo of their readings at any point over the following week.
How to take an energy meter reading
Taking a meter reading is fairly straight forward. For most, all you need to do is record the first five numbers shown from left to right on your meter and give them to your energy supplier. Digital meters will show five numbers in black and white, followed by one or more red numbers. The red numbers can be ignored.
You can submit your readings either by ringing up your energy supplier and providing the number over the phone, or online through your supplier's website or app.
If you have a smart meter, you do not have to do anything as your readings are automatically sent to your supplier.
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