ENERGY bills will rise for millions of households next week when the new price cap comes into effect.
The cap will increase by 1.2%, adding £21 a year to the typical bill of a household with a dual fuel tariff that pays via direct debit.
Households need to submit a meter reading to make sure their bills are accurate[/caption]
Households will now spend £1,738 a year on their energy, up from £1,717 under the previous cap.
The threshold shows how much an average family could expect to pay for energy each year.
But the amount they will actually pay depends on how much energy they use and can be higher or lower than the cap.
The threshold applies to the 28 million households on a standard variable tariff, which changes every three months depending on the wholesale price of energy.
Other households are on a fixed tariff, which means they pay a set amount for the duration of their contract and are not subject to the cap.
To avoid being overcharged, you should submit a meter reading before the price cap increases.
Doing so guarantees that all of the energy you use before January 1 is charged at the lower rate.
The date by which you must submit a meter reading depends on your supplier as several will allow you to backdate it.
Some providers will even give you an extra fortnight to send in your reading.
If you miss the deadline then you will be given an estimated bill, which is calculated based on how much energy you are forecast to have used.
As a result, some of the energy you used before the new cap came into effect may be charged at the wrong rate.
This could mean that you receive a bill which is more than the amount you actually need to pay.
Here we explain the exact dates by which you need to submit a meter reading to your supplier.
When to submit a meter reading
You should try and take a meter reading as close to January 1 as possible to show how much energy you have used up until this point.
What energy bill help is available?
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 schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary 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 £2,000.
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.
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.
Once you have taken the reading you have a certain window in which to send it to your supplier.
How long you have to submit it depends on who your energy provider is.
British Gas customers have until January 14 to send in a reading online, via its app, telephone line or web form.
At Ovo Energy you can send in your reading in your online account, via its app or over the phone and you need to do so by January 11.
E.on Next customers must submit a meter reading before January 6 through their online account, via the app, email or by telephone.
Households which are supplied by Octopus Energy have until January 8 to submit their reading online, through a web form, via the app or by email.
EDF customers need to send in a reading before January 10.
They can do so online, via its app, online form, email, WhatsApp, text or over the phone.
At Utility Warehouse customers must give a reading in the five days leading up to October 1 and submit it in their online account, through its app or by phone.
Scottish Power customers need to submit their reading by January 5 and can do so through their online account, via its app or by telephone 24 hours a day.
So Energy customers need to provide a meter reading within a week before or after the new price cap comes into force.
They can do so online, via text, webchat, telephone or email.
If the reading is not submitted by December 31 then the closest available reading will be used for the changeover.
How to submit a meter reading
The easiest way to take a meter reading is to take a photo of your gas and electricity meters.
This means you have evidence in case you need to dispute a bill.
You can send in your meter reading online via your energy account.
Some providers will also let you send in the numbers by text or through their app.
Check which options your supplier offers on their website.
Electricity meters
If you have a digital electricity meter then you will see a row of six numbers.
Five of them will be in black and one will be in red.
Write down the five numbers in black, which are shown from left to right.
If you are on an economy 7 or 10 tariff, which gives you cheaper electricity at night, then you will have two rows of numbers.
You need both to take a reading.
If you have a traditional dial meter then you need to read the first five dials from left to right.
Ignore any red dials.
If the pointer is between two numbers then write down the lowest figure.
If it is between nine and zero then write down the number nine.
Gas meters
If you have a digital metric gas meter showing five numbers followed by a decimal point then you need to write down the first five numbers.
If you have a digital imperial meter then you will see four black numbers and two red numbers.
Write down the four black numbers only.
If you have a digital gas meter, follow the same steps as the digital electricity meter.
Smart meters
If you have a smart meter then you do not need to submit a meter reading as it is sent automatically to your supplier.
Check that your smart meter is in “smart mode” and is working properly to ensure that you are accurately charged.
Household Support Fund explained
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund.
If you’re battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline.
The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living.
Every council in England has been given a share of £421million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households.
Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments.
In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families.
Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying.
Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income.
The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer.
And don’t delay, the scheme has been extended until April 2025 but your council may dish out their share of the Household Support Fund before this date.
Once the cash is gone, you may find they cannot provide any extra help so it’s crucial you apply as soon as possible.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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