British Gas, EDF, EON, Ovo, Octopus customers who fail to complete 'essential' task this week warned

British Gas, EDF, EON, Ovo, Octopus customers who fail to complete 'essential' task this week warned
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


The essential check every energy customer must make this week or risk unexpected bills has been revealed. The new energy price cap which limits the amount that can be charged will be introduced from next Tuesday on October 1.

The price cap for British Gas, OVO, Octopus, EDF, Eon customers will be around 10% higher than the current level which has been in place since July. Bills will rise from £1,568 to £1,717 according to the regulator Ofgem which sets the limit, with the confirmation coming last month from the watchdog.

To make sure your bills are accurate, households on standard variable tariffs (SVTs) should submit meter readings as soon as they can around the new cap being implemented. If you have smart meters that are working properly in smart mode, so they're regularly sending meter readings to your provider, there's no need to do anything for meter reading day, as they do it automatically.

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You may want to double-check your meters are sending reads, though. You can usually see this in your account or on your bill. You can also take a photo of your meters on the day, so you have the readings for safety, Money Saving Expert has explained.

Giving a meter reading means your supplier will know exactly how much you used when prices change, so you're fairly charged. The easiest way is to take a picture of your meters, so you have the readings to hand. Then you can log in to your online account and enter the readings.

Most also let you send readings via text message, or through mobile apps such as WhatsApp. You can also call them up – most have automated telephone lines where you can give the readings, to save you joining a queue or clogging up the lines for those who need help, MSE goes on to add.