Exact date millions of customers at UK’s biggest energy supplier must take meter readings – or risk overpaying
MILLIONS of customers at the UK’s biggest energy supplier must take a meter reading in days to avoid overpaying on their energy bill.
British Gas customers have just two days left to take a meter reading to ensure their bill is accurate ahead of the energy price cap change.
It comes as the average price of an energy bill is due to fall by £122 a year on 1 July, when the change officially takes place.
The energy regulator Ofgem confirmed the new price cap last month, and it comes into effect on Monday.
The cap will fall from the current rate of £1,690 a year to £1,568 – the lowest level in two years.
But bear in mind that the energy price cap changes every three months so there is a possibility your monthly bill could rise again.
A statement on the suppliers website read: “The new price cap rates come into effect from 1st July.”
“Please provide a meter reading on or before 1st July to ensure we bill you as accurately as possible.”
If you are unsure how to submit a reading, British Gas has an online guide on its website.
It is important that you take a reading every three months when the price cap changes take place to make sure you are not being overcharged.
In the latest MoneySavingExpert newsletter, Martin Lewis encouraged households to take a meter reading before midnight on June 30.
The team wrote: “With monthly Direct Debit, firms estimate your usage so the cost can be evened out over the year.
“With prices dropping right now, unless you’ve a working smart meter, firms will estimate how much your current usage is during the higher rate time, and how much is afterwards.”
The deadline you have to submit a reading varies from supplier to supplier.
Some companies will allow you to backdate the reading if you miss the exact date it was meant to be submitted.
But that may not always be the case so it is worth speaking to the customer service team at your energy supplier to double check.
How do I calculate my energy bill?
BELOW we reveal how you can calculate your own energy bill.
To calculate how much you pay for your energy bill, you must find out your unit rate for gas and electricity and the standing charge for each fuel type.
The unit rate will usually be shown on your bill in p/kWh.The standing charge is a daily charge that is paid 365 days of the year – irrespective of whether or not you use any gas or electricity.
You will then need to note down your own annual energy usage from a previous bill.
Once you have these details, you can work out your gas and electricity costs separately.
Multiply your usage in kWh by the unit rate cost in p/kWh for the corresponding fuel type – this will give you your usage costs.
You’ll then need to multiply each standing charge by 365 and add this figure to the totals for your usage – this will then give you your annual costs.
Divide this figure by 12, and you’ll be able to determine how much you should expect to pay each month from April 1.
If you have a smart meter, you don’t need to take a reading, as this is sent to your supplier automatically.
But it is worth making sure that your meter is sending readings correctly, as sometimes smart meters can have issues.
Take a photo of your meter on July 1, and compare it to what is showing when you log into your energy account.
It is worth keeping the photo as you can submit it to your provider later if there are any disputes.
An updated meter reading helps stop your supplier from determining bill prices that aren’t accurate to your usage.
In addition, if you are disputing a bill, taking a meter reading is a must.
How do I take a meter reading?
If you don’t have a smart meter, your energy supplier will usually require regular readings from your gas and electricity meters to calculate your bill.
Customers who don’t send their suppliers regular readings will have their bills calculated by estimated usage, and they will likely pay more – so it is always worth knowing how to send the numbers.
Once you’ve taken a reading, you should be able to submit it in a number of ways, including text message or online.
You might also be able to submit it online or through your supplier’s app.
It’s best to check with your supplier to see your options.
It’s always worth taking a picture of your meter reading when you submit it to your supplier – just in case you need it as evidence in a future dispute.
The way you take a meter reading depends on the type of meter you have – we’ve explained how to take a reading depending on your meter type.
Electricity meters
If you have a digital electricity meter, you will just see a row of six numbers – five in black and one in red.
Take down the five numbers in black and ignore the red number.
If you are on an Economy 7 or 10 tariff which gives you cheaper electricity at night – you will have two rows of numbers, so take both readings down.
If you have a traditional dial meter you will need to read the first five dials from left to right ignoring any red ones.
If the pointer is between two numbers, write down the lower figures and if it is between nine and zero write down the number nine.
If the dial is directly over a number, write down that number and underline it.
If you’ve underlined a number, check the next dial to the right.
If the pointer on that dial is between 9 and 0, reduce the number you’ve underlined by 1.
For example, if you originally wrote down 5, change it to 4.
Gas meters
If you have a digital metric meter showing five numbers and then a decimal place, you only need to write down the first five numbers from left to right.
If you have a digital imperial meter your meter will read four black numbers and two red numbers – note down the four black numbers only.
If you have a dial gas meter, follow the same steps as those for those with a dial electricity meter, but ignore underlining any figures.
What to do if your struggling
THERE’S a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £1,500.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.