Households are being urged to take a photo of their energy meter before October 1, as millions prepare for another change to gas and electricity bills. The Energy Price Cap is rising again from that date, meaning households on standard variable tariffs will see prices increase as the colder months begin.
Why the meter reading matters
MoneySavingExpert, founded by Martin Lewis, has previously advised people without working smart meters to take a meter reading around the time prices change. Taking a quick photo of the meter can also give households a record of exactly what it showed before the new rates kicked in.
The latest Ofgem Price Cap will rise by 3.6% on average from October, taking the typical annual bill for somebody paying by Direct Debit from £1,663 to £1,723. However, the figure isn't a limit on how much a household can actually pay. The cap limits the unit rates and standing charges, so people who use more energy will still pay more.
What Martin Lewis said
Martin Lewis explained after the new cap was announced that the increase comes on top of a 12.6% rise in July. He said: "The first thing to remember is this is 3.6% on the back of the 12.6% rise we saw in July."
Gas customers are expected to feel more of the increase, with MoneySavingExpert saying the gas unit rate is going up by 8.7%, while the gas standing charge will rise by 2.2%.
How to prepare
For households with traditional meters, providing an up-to-date reading around the change means suppliers have an accurate record of how much energy was used before the new rates came in. MoneySavingExpert says the easiest way is to take a picture of the meter so the reading is saved and can then be submitted to the supplier. It can also be useful if there is later any disagreement over how much energy was used before and after a price change.
People with working smart meters generally don't need to send readings manually because their usage should be sent automatically. The October Price Cap will remain in place until the end of December, before the next cap takes effect in January.
