Henry Sandercock
The first day of January, April, July, and October marks energy meter reading day, as these are the days that the new Ofgem energy price cap comes into effect.
On this day, it is important for consumers to send a meter reading so that your energy provider provides you with accurate billing.
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This means that the average household paying via direct debit will pay an average of £1,720 per year for their energy – £129 less than they would in April to June. Though your final bill is actually based on your usage as the price cap is a cap on per unit rate not your final bill.
What is energy meter reading day?
Energy meter reading day is an initiative that aims to get people to submit meter readings either on or slightly before the Ofgem energy price cap changes.
Suppliers work out your bill in one of two ways. They either take your smart meter readings, or your submitted readings, and base what you pay directly on your usage. Or, if you don't have a smart meter and don't submit readings, they will estimate how much you should pay.
The latter option is not ideal, as it means that you are not paying the right amount of money for your energy. Even if the figure comes in lower, it could land you with a large bill at a later date.
By submitting a meter reading either close to or on the new price cap date, your energy company won't be able to charge you at the higher rate for any units that you used on the lower rate. So, by taking a meter reading you’re ensuring you’re not overcharged.
It’s generally a good idea to take meter readings down and submit them every month anyway – particularly given some smart meters can be glitchy.
You don’t need to worry about manually submitting monthly readings if your smart meter is working properly in smart mode or you have a prepayment meter.
You also don’t have to send a meter reading if you are on a fixed rate energy tariff as the cost of your energy is locked in for a set period of time (usually 12 to 18 months.)
How do I take an energy meter reading?
Generally, to take a reading, you will need to send in five numbers to your supplier. On a single-rate meter (the most common kind), these are generally the first ones you come across when reading the number from left to right.
Most meters helpfully have a red zone, which includes numbers you do not have to record. But they can look a bit different. For example, a dial meter may point to several numbers on different faces. These still need to be read from left to right.
The process is a bit simpler with a functional smart meter, as the digital display should give you the relevant numbers fairly easily.
Once you have your reading, head to your supplier's website or app. They will usually have a section where you can give them your meter reading.
You can also ring them to submit a reading – but be aware that there could be many other people doing the same thing on meter reading day, so wait times may be longer than usual.
The next energy meter reading day will fall on or slightly before 1 October 2025, as this is when the next price cap will kick in. Prices are expected to rise again at this point.
HOW TO CUT YOUR ENERGY BILLS
At present, the best way to cut your bills is to lower your consumption. Gareth Kloet, energy spokesperson for Go.Compare Energy, says: "Trying to reduce your energy consumption will help minimise costs in the short and longer term, and will ultimately pay dividends.
“There are things you can do around the home to save energy, including making sure you’re not leaving devices in standby mode, buying energy-efficient appliances, swapping baths for showers and trying not to turn the thermostat right up as soon as the temperature drops outside."
He adds: “If you are struggling to make payments and are concerned about energy bills, always talk to your energy provider in the first instance, as they have a duty to help. Do not be tempted to skip payments or just not pay – get in touch with them and they will discuss a payment plan with you.”
To help you keep energy bills low, check out our top tips on 13 ways to reduce your energy costs. If you're interested in the best ways to improve your energy efficiency and reduce costs, we explore radiators vs electric heaters, heated airers vs tumble dryers, and wood burning stove vs central heating.
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