Households must do vital energy meter check TODAY before new price cap hits tomorrow

ENERGY bills are set to soar from tomorrow making it all the more important to provide accurate meter readings to your supplier.

Submitting a reading today can help you keep track of your energy costs under the new and old rates and ensure you are only charged for the gas and electricity being used.

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Submitting a reading today can help you keep track of your energy costs under the new and old rates[/caption]

Millions of households will see their energy bills rise from tomorrow.

It comes as the energy price cap is set to rise from £1,277 to £1,971 – an increase of almost £700.

The price cap is the typical amount households could pay on out-of-contract default standard variable tariffs.

But the energy market crisis caused by record high gas prices means many small suppliers have collapsed and most households are better off sticking with price cap-linked deals rather than more pricey tariffs.

One way you can ensure you don’t pay too much for your energy is by submitting regular meter readings.

Without these, a supplier will estimate your usage and you could pay more than necessary if the firm mistakenly calculates a high level of power.

Submitting a reading today means you – and your energy firm – know exactly how much energy you have used at the lower price.

Customers of E.ON, British Gas and EDF have already reported issues with reporting meter readings today, complaining that supplier websites are crashing.

But it is important to do this as you then have a clear date from which the higher prices apply and only pay for energy you have used up until today at a lower rate.

This could make a big difference to your energy bill.

The Energy Shop analysed Ofgem figures based on the average household using 1,000 kWh of gas each month and 242 kWh of electricity.

Under the old cap, it said households would pay £40 a month for gas and £50.82 for electricity.

From tomorrow, the typical amount will increase to £70 a month for gas and £67.76 for electricity bills under the new cap.

That is a £47 difference between submitting a reading today and tomorrow.

MoneySavingExpert Martin Lewis has also urged households to submit a meter reading and warned on Twitter against faking the figures, highlighting that this would be fraud.

Speaking on his Martin Lewis Money Show on ITV, he said: “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.”

What happens if you can’t submit it today?

It is still possible to submit a reading taken today at a later date.

You should still take a picture of your meter reading and keep checking if your suppliers’ website is back up and running if you are experiencing issues.

Most firms will let you submit it tomorrow or another day and backdate it to March 31.

Just make sure you have taken a picture as evidence.

Some suppliers have also told customers to send them a direct message on social media with their meter readings while websites have crashed.

Justina Miltienyte, head of policy at comparison website Uswitch.com, said: “Several suppliers seem to be struggling to cope with the deluge of meter readings, and we’ve had reports of some providers’ websites being unable to accept readings or even let customers log in.

“If you’re unable to submit your meter reading online right now, don’t panic as website issues are often temporary.

” Try again later today or take a photo of your reading with a date stamp visible in the image as evidence. Your supplier may offer other ways to submit readings, so have a look at the recent communications they’ve sent you to find further details.”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has also announced a £150 council tax discount for millions of households in an attempt to ease the cost of living crisis.

Your local council may be able to help with cash and grants if you are struggling with bills through the Household Support Scheme