Exact date millions of energy customers MUST submit meter readings

Scottish Sun

20 hours ago

Find out what you need to do before the deadline
SAY WATT? Exact date millions of energy customers MUST submit meter readings – or risk overpaying
MILLIONS of energy customers have been warned that they must submit their meter readings by a specific date as an important deadline looms.
If they don't, then they risk being overcharged for their energy usage this month.
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Energy customers have been urged to submit their meter readings by a specific date
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It comes as a new price cap kicks in on July 1
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Anyone who doesn't risks being overcharged
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The urgent warning comes as the new Ofgem price cap is set to come into force in a few days.
Energy bills are set to decrease from July 1 as the price cap, set by the national energy regulator, decreases by seven per cent.
And Advice Direct Scotland is reminding households to act quickly so they don't get caught out.
Scots are being urged to submit their meter readings before midnight on June 30.
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Accurate readings will prevent suppliers from estimating usage and applying new prices to energy consumed before the new date.
So, submitting them before the price cap comes into force on July 1 can mean homeowners can avoid being overcharged.
It's important to submit meter readings before the new price cap comes into force, to prevent being overcharged
Conor Forbes
Anyone who has a smart meter installed is also being reminded to check that their device is working properly before the deadline.
Ofgem resets its cap on the amount suppliers can charge every three months.
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And the latest change represents a seven per cent drop on the current level from £1,849 to £1,720.
This will see annual energy bills decrease by around £122 for households on average.
The bizarre reason my smart meter won't work & I miss out on cheaper bills
Despite the drop, this is still £582 more than what customers were previously paying before the energy crisis began in autumn 2021.
Over the last four years, energy prices have been particularly turbulent.
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And many have been left out of pocket by huge changes that occurred over a short space of time.
So, experts at Advice Direct Scotland are sharing their latest advice to help people not get caught out.
Anyone who can't submit readings by June 30 for whatever reason should do so as close to the date as possible.
Struggling customers should know they do not have to suffer in silence. Our expert team is on hand for anyone who needs help
Conor Forbes
And they suggested that customers take a photo of the meter showing the readings before submitting them.
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This can help resolve any disputes with their energy firm if they arise.
Another thing customers can do to decrease costs is check if there is a better tariff available to them.
However, most of the best-value deals are targeted at more affluent customers or those with a smart meter installed.
Ofgem is due to announce its next update on the price cap in August.
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And the most recent forecasts have suggested that prices will fall again as we head into autumn.
This would mean that the pressure on consumers would ease a little bit more over winter, lasting until around spring next year.
Despite this, Advice Direct Scotland has said that many homeowners are still struggling with record levels of debt.
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The charity is encouraging anyone worried about bills to contact its experts for free, impartial advice.
Advisers can be contacted at www.energyadvice.scot or on freephone 0808 196 8660, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
The firm is also campaigning for a social energy tariff to be introduced across the UK.
This would automatically place the most vulnerable customers on the cheapest deals, and eligibility could be based on benefit receipt or low income.
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How to take 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.
Conor Forbes, policy director at Advice Direct Scotland, said:
'Lower gas and electricity prices will come as a relief for households, but bills remain significantly higher than they were before the energy crisis began.
'It's important to submit meter readings before the new price cap comes into force, to prevent being overcharged.
'For extra peace of mind, take a dated photo of the meter. If you have a smart meter, make sure it's working.
'People can also take practical action by examining their bills, finding out how much they are paying, and checking if there are cheaper options available with other suppliers.
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'Struggling customers should know they do not have to suffer in silence.
"Our expert team is on hand for anyone who needs help, no matter their circumstances.
'However, a longer-term solution to the scourge of fuel poverty is a UK-wide social energy tariff, which would automatically put vulnerable people on the cheapest deals.'