The energy price cap will rise from £1,738 to £1,849 for the average household on April 1, meaning steeper bills for millions.
The energy price cap limits the amount that an average UK household can expect to pay for their energy bills in a year. The amount you’ll actually pay will depend on your energy usage and the size of your property, so your bills could still be higher than the price cap. Read more in our article What is the energy price cap?
To prevent your energy usage being estimated and receiving inaccurate bills based on the higher cap, it’s important to supply your provider with a meter reading as close as possible to April 1. Bear in mind, however, that you do not need to do a meter reading if you have a smart, or pre-payment meter.
You can provide meter readings on your supplier’s website, app or on the phone. However, industry body Energy UK recommends checking your supplier’s website for advice on the best way to provide readings, given there are likely to be a large number of people trying to do this before the price cap changes in April.
The simplest way to provide a meter reading is to take a picture of your reading using your phone, and then log into your online energy account to enter the readings. You may also be able to send readings by text message, or using WhatsApp. Alternatively, your provider may have an automated telephone service enabling you to give readings and avoid waiting in a call queue.
Other tips to reduce energy costs
With the energy price cap increasing, energy bills are set to burn an even bigger hole in people’s pockets over the next few months, especially for those pensioners who’ve lost their Winter Fuel Payments. Find out more about recent changes to the payment in our article Winter Fuel Payment: who is eligible, and how can I claim?
You can find plenty of tips for reducing gas and electricity costs in our articles Energy saving tips: how to reduce your bills and 11 practical tips to keep warm and save energy this winter.
If you’re struggling with costs, and are falling behind with your bills, it’s always worth talking to your supplier. They often have support schemes available to help the most vulnerable and households on a low income, or you may be able to negotiate a repayment plan. Find out more in our article What can you do if you can’t pay your energy bills? and Is your energy supplier offering grants to pay off energy debts?
If you’re considering switching your energy provider, it’s worth doing plenty of research so you can be certain you’ve found the best possible deal to suit your needs. Comparison websites such as MoneySuperMarket, Uswitch and Compare the Market enable you to compare the latest energy tariffs, whether you’re looking for a fixed or variable deal.
Rest Less Money is on Instagram. Check out our account and give us a follow @rest_less_uk_money for all the latest Money News, updated daily.