Energy bills guru tells customers to make sure they do one thing on June 30 | Personal Finance | Finance

Families across the UK are being encouraged to submit their meter readings to their energy suppliers to prevent overpaying when the seven percent drop in the price cap comes into effect this July.

Essentially, households equipped with a standard meter should focus on providing a reading by the end of June, right before the new energy price cap begins on July 1.

In most meters, there is a straightforward button that once pressed, lights up the screen showing your precise reading – all you need to do is note it down and forward it to your energy provider, Birmingham Live reports.

Les Roberts, an energy comparison specialist at Bionic, stressed: “On July 1, it’s important that those without a smart meter take a meter reading. This is when the energy price cap change comes into effect and this will result in your bills changing. By submitting a reading before the price cap change, it means you are charged the correct amount for exactly how much energy you are using, meaning you know exactly how much you owe and ensure you aren’t overcharged.”

“Submitting meter readings is a good habit to get into, and submitting them monthly ensures that your bills are correct, regardless of which tariff you are on. Ultimately, the price you pay is determined by how much the energy supplier thinks you are using, so letting them know stops any random guesses and ensures you only pay for what you use.”

“If you do spot mistakes from your meter readings to what is on your bills, you can then flag this with your supplier as well. If they don’t correct this based on the evidence you have, you can also refer your case to the Energy Ombudsman who will work with the supplier and yourself to resolve the complaint.”, reports Birmingham Live.

Despite the fact that the average annual energy bill will be £506 cheaper than a year ago from July, prices are still significantly higher than they were in 2021. With this in mind, Roberts has offered some advice on how consumers can cut their energy usage, whether now is the right time to switch to a fixed energy tariff, and what steps to take if you’re finding it hard to afford your energy bill:.

Les stated: “When it comes to making the switch to a fixed energy tariff, the most important thing to understand is that price-capped tariffs are variable.”

“If you do find a deal with rates below the new price cap rates, then it could be worth considering making the switch as we don’t know what will happen to energy prices in the future. However, it’s important to remember that price-capped tariffs change every 3 months in line with the Price Cap so a deal that looks good now could end up being more expensive if energy prices drop later in the year.”

“It’s also worth remembering that the notice period for ending your current contract differs between suppliers. It’s worth checking your supplier’s requirements before switching.”

“If you’re a business owner, remember that there’s no price cap on non-domestic energy contracts. If your current contract is coming up for renewal then it’s worth comparing quotes and fixing your rates to give yourself bill stability and protect against future price rises.”