MILLIONS of households have only a few weeks left to submit their meter readings before energy bills rise this April.
From April 1, Ofgem‘s energy price cap is set to rise by approximately 6%, adding an extra £111 per year to the average household bill.
It’s a blow to 22million households on standard variable tariffs which are subject to the price cap, and will see their bills rise from £1,738 to £1,849 per year.
However, many households are likely to face costs exceeding this headline figure.
This is because the energy price cap does not limit the total amount a customer pays for their energy.
Instead, it sets a maximum charge per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of gas and electricity, alongside the daily standing charges.
Another factor affecting how much you pay is the area you live.
That’s why it’s essential for customers without a smart meter to provide a meter reading before the price cap changes come into effect, ensuring they are billed accurately.
Octopus Energy has now confirmed the deadline for doing so.
While customers are encouraged to submit their meter readings by the end of March, the supplier has confirmed that any readings provided by April 8 will be backdated.
This ensures customers are charged accurately based on the energy prices in effect from the date the changes were implemented.
An updated meter reading will mean your supplier has a more accurate idea of your usage and bill you accurately.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”From TV to energy… tips to save you money on 7 bills that are going up in April” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6369356626112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Energy suppliers usually require you to take regular meter readings from your gas and electricity meter to work out how much they should charge you.
Customers who don’t do this are billed on estimated usage and will likely pay more.
Octopus Energy customers can submit their reading via the phone, website, or mobile app.
If you have a smart meter you do not need to submit a manual reading, as their readings are sent to suppliers automatically.
How to take a meter reading
The easiest way to take a meter reading is to take a photo of your gas and electricity meters.
This means you have evidence in case you need to dispute a bill.
You can send in your meter reading online via your energy account.
Some providers will also let you send in the numbers by text or through their app.
Check which options your supplier offers on their website.
Electricity meters
If you have a digital electricity meter then you will see a row of six numbers.
Five of them will be in black and one will be in red.
Write down the five numbers in black, which are shown from left to right.
If you are on an economy 7 or 10 tariff, which gives you cheaper electricity at night, then you will have two rows of numbers.
You need both to take a reading.
If you have a traditional dial meter then you need to read the first five dials from left to right.
Ignore any red dials.
If the pointer is between two numbers then write down the lowest figure.
If it is between nine and zero then write down the number nine.
Gas meters
If you have a digital metric gas meter showing five numbers followed by a decimal point then you need to write down the first five numbers.
If you have a digital imperial meter then you will see four black numbers and two red numbers.
Write down the four black numbers only.
If you have a digital gas meter, follow the same steps as the digital electricity meter.