ENERGY bills are set to rise for millions of households next week when the new price cap comes into force.
The cap will increase by 6.4%, adding £111 to the typical bill of a household with a dual fuel tariff that pays via direct debit.
Households will now spend £1,849 a year on their energy bills, up from £1,738 under the previous cap.
The threshold shows how much a typical family can expect to spend on energy each year.
But the actual amount they will pay depends on how much energy they use and can be higher or lower than the cap.
The threshold applies to the 22 million households on a standard variable tariff, which changes every three months depending on the wholesale price of energy.
Some households are on a fixed tariff, which means they pay a set amount for the duration of their contract and so are not subject to the cap.
To avoid being overcharged you should send your supplier a meter reading before the price cap increases.
Doing this guarantees that all the energy you use before April 1 is charged at the lower rate.
The date by which you must send in 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 submit your reading.
If you miss the deadline then you will be sent an estimated bill.
This is calculated based on how much energy you are expected to have used.
As a result, the energy you used before the new cap came into force may be charged at the higher rate.
This could mean that you receive a bill that is higher than the amount you actually need to pay.
Here we explain the exact dates by which you need to send a meter reading to your supplier.
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.
When to submit a meter reading
You should try and take a meter reading as close to April 1 as possible to show how much energy you used up until this date.
Once you have taken the reading you have a certain amount of time in which to send it to your supplier.
The amount of time you have to submit it depends on who your energy supplier is.
For example, British Gas customers have until April 14 to send in a reading.
They can do this online, via its app, telephone or web form.
At Ovo Energy you can send in your reading in your online account, via its app or by telephone and you need to do so by April 11.
E.on Next customers need to submit a meter reading before April 6 through their online account, via the app, telephone or email.
Households who are supplied by Octopus Energy have until April 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 April 10.
They can do so online, via its app, online form, email Whatsapp, text or over the phone.
At Utility Warehouse customers can give a reading in the five days leading up to April 1 and submit it in their online account, through its app or by phone.
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 if you need to dispute your bill.
Most suppliers will let you 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 your supplier’s website to see which options are available.
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 two red numbers and four black 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 send your supplier a meter reading as it will be sent automatically.
Check that your smart meter is in “smart mode” and is working properly to make sure you are accurately charged.
How do I calculate my energy bill?
BELOW we reveal how you can calculate your own energy bill.
To calculate how much you pay for your energy bill, you must find out your unit rate for gas and electricity and the standing charge for each fuel type.
The unit rate will usually be shown on your bill in p/kWh.The standing charge is a daily charge that is paid 365 days of the year – irrespective of whether or not you use any gas or electricity.
You will then need to note down your own annual energy usage from a previous bill.
Once you have these details, you can work out your gas and electricity costs separately.
Multiply your usage in kWh by the unit rate cost in p/kWh for the corresponding fuel type – this will give you your usage costs.
You’ll then need to multiply each standing charge by 365 and add this figure to the totals for your usage – this will then give you your annual costs.
Divide this figure by 12, and you’ll be able to determine how much you should expect to pay each month from April 1.
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