Energy bills expert says everyone should push one button on June 30

Households in the UK are being urged to submit meter readings to their energy supplier to ensure they don’t overpay when the price cap falls by 7% in July. Ideally, those with a regular meter in their home should try to submit a reading by June 30 before the new energy price cap is introduced the following day - July 1.

On many meters, there is a simple button to push that will illuminate the screen and show you your exact reading - that you can note down and send to your energy supplier.

Les Roberts, energy comparison expert at Bionic, said: “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.”

While the average annual energy bill will be £506 cheaper than a year ago from July, prices are still much higher than they were in 2021. With this in mind, Roberts has also issued advice on how consumers can reduce their energy usage, whether now is the time to make the switch to a fixed energy tariff, and what to do if you're struggling to afford your energy bill:

Les said: “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."