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.
Submitting an energy meter reading is probably not on the top of your New Year’s Day priority list – but there could be a good reason to send one to your energy supplier.
Energy meter reading day falls on the first day of January, April, July, and October, as these are the days that the new Ofgem energy price cap, which is updated quarterly, comes into effect.
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In particular, if you are on a standard variable tariff and do not have a smart meter, you might want to manually send an energy meter reading as failing to do so could mean you are billed incorrectly.
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From 1 January 2026, the energy price cap will increase by 0.2%, bringing the average annual household energy bill to £1,758 for those who pay for gas and electricity by direct debit – a rise of around £3.36 a year, or 28p a month.
This price cap will stay in place until 31 March, after which the price cap will be adjusted.
The cap is based on unit prices, not your total bill, so how much you pay will depend on how much you use.
If you have a smart meter, then it sends automatic readings to your energy supplier and you do not need to do anything to make sure you are being billed correctly.
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.
People are encouraged to send readings on these dates to ensure that their energy bills are accurate.
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 means that you are likely not paying the right amount of money for your energy usage. Even if the estimated figure is lower than your energy consumption, you will still be liable to pay the difference 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.
You don’t have to manually submit monthly readings if your smart meter is working properly in smart mode. However, it is a good idea to note meter readings down manually anyway just in case there are any technical issues with your smart meter.
You don’t have to send a meter reading if you have a prepayment meter.
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 phone 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.
After January, the following energy meter reading day will fall on or slightly before 1 April 2026, as this is when the price cap for the second quarter of the year will kick in.
Prices are expected to fall at this point after the government announced it will axe some green levies, cutting household energy bills by around £150 a year.
However, this cut will coincide with a slew of other policy charges that increase household bills, so the true saving is unlikely to be the full £150. Note that this is just a forecast and could change.
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.
