The energy price cap is dropping by 7% on Sunday 1 October. Households should take a meter reading before then to avoid being overcharged. Here’s when to give a reading depending on your energy supplier.
If you’re on a standard tariff – which most are right now – bills will fall from 1 October. That’s because Ofgem’s new energy price cap comes in, set at £1,923/year for a typical household. If you’re on a fix, nothing changes as your rates are locked in.
At Look After My Bills, we encourage households that aren’t on smart meters to regularly take a meter reading to ensure you avoid being overcharged. But it’s even more important when there’s a price change.
To prevent everybody from submitting a reading on the same day – which has brought down systems before – most energy firms will allow customers to submit backdated readings for a period afterwards. Jump to firm-by-firm info below.
Are you looking to switch energy tariff? Do an energy comparison to find the best gas and electricity deals for you.
Why do I need to take a meter reading?
Most of us are on variable energy tariffs at the moment, which are subject to the energy price cap. This changes every three months, with the next change on 1 October.
What’s expected to happen to energy prices over the next year? See will energy bills fall?
By submitting a meter reading, you remove the chances of your supplier hitting you with an estimated bill. Instead, they’ll know precisely how much energy you have used under the old energy price cap, and also how much you use under the new lower energy price cap.
A more accurate bill means you shouldn’t be overcharged. If you don’t submit your reading, the supplier will be effectively guessing how much energy you’ve used and charging you accordingly.
Unsure how to take a meter reading? Check out meter readings – everything you need to know.
Who doesn't need to submit a meter reading?
If you have a smart meter that is functioning correctly, you don’t need to submit a meter reading as your readings are automatically sent to your energy provider. If it’s operating in ‘dumb’ mode, however, it won’t be sending readings automatically, so you should submit a reading.
Those on a prepayment meter also don’t need to submit meter readings.
If you’re on a fixed tariff, your deal will not be subject to the energy price cap, so there won’t be a change in your bill from 1 October. However, it’s still important to submit regular meter readings, so that you get charged accurately by your energy supplier.
How do I submit a meter reading, and how long do I have to backdate it?
Companies have previously struggled with the volume of customers on their websites near meter reading day, so now there are various ways to submit a reading.
Some energy providers let you backdate the meter reading up to 30 days later, so you can take the reading on 30 September – take a photo on your phone for your records – but submit it a few days later when traffic should have died down.
Here’s how and when to submit your reading, depending on your supplier:
| Energy supplier | How to give a meter reading | Can I send a backdated meter reading? |
|---|---|---|
| British Gas | Via its app, or using the British Gas online form (no online account required). | Yes, until Saturday 14 October. |
| E.ON Next | Via its app, online at eonnext.com, or by email or phone. | E.on said: “We do accept backdated readings, but it’s important that customers get them to us as soon as they can.” |
| EDF Energy | Using your EDF online account. | Yes, until Monday 2 October. |
| Octopus Energy | Via your Octopus online account, send a photo to its app, or email. | TBC, but usually you can for 7 days. |
| OVO Energy | Via its app, using your OVO online account, WhatsApp, online chat or phone. | Yes, for 10 days after 1 October. |
| ScottishPower | Via its app, using your ScottishPower online account or phone. | Yes, until Thursday 5 October. |
| Shell Energy | Via its app, using your Shell Energy online account or phone. | You can give your reading up to 30 days after taking it and have it backdated. |
| So Energy | Using the So Energy online account, replying to reminder texts, using automated webchat, phone or email. | TBC |
| Utility Warehouse | Via its app, or using your Utility Warehouse online account. | TBC, but usually you can for 7 days. |
Ways to save on your energy bills
Submitting meter readings is one way to make sure you’re not overpaying on your energy bills. Another way is to do an energy comparison to find the best gas and electricity deals for you.
If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills, here’s how to get help with energy costs.
