September 30 marks 'meter reading day' as it is the last day energy customers can submit their readings before the prices rise.
However, energy firms such as British Gas, SSE, EDF and Bulb Energy have confirmed that they will backdate unit rates if customers can't submit meter readings on September 30.
The new energy price cap comes into force on October 1, pushing the average household yearly bill to £2,500. The daily charge of 28p gas and 46p electric and unit rates will be increased to 10p/kWh for gas, and 34p/kWh for electric. This will lead to the average household yearly bill being £2,500.
READ NEXT- Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home food bank demand sky rockets during cost of living crisis
Financial guru Martin Lewis has been urging people to give their meter readings through the week rather than everyone rushing to do so on September 30. Last April, websites of the likes of British Gas, SSE and Octopus crashed. With this, SSE prepared in advance and set up a 'waiting room' for customers to queue in.
Taking to Twitter, SSE wrote: "We’re currently experiencing high volumes of website traffic. You can submit your meter reading via WhatsApp instead: https://bit.ly/SSEWhatsApp.
"You can also submit using this form: https://bit.ly/SSEMeterRead.
"Have a smart meter or on Pay As You Go? You don't need to send a read."
How to take an meter reading
If you have gas central heating then you will have two meter readings to take - an electric and gas one.
For smart meters, It is worth to note that they are different to standard meters - they normally send readings to your supplier automatically and so you will not have to submit a meter reading.
If you have a smart meter, and want to submit a reading anyway, be sure to read the meter, not the In Home Display - that shows how much energy you have used. You’ll normally also get a portable device called an ‘in-home display’ - this shows how much you’re spending on your energy.
Most smart meters are attached to wall or in a cupboard or the kitchen
You can submit your readings by phoning your energy providers, inputting them on the app or website.
Citizen's Advice also urge people to take a photo, as do Which? since websites have been crashing since this morning.
Citizen’s Advice have a handy guide showing the different types of meters and how to read and submit them.
Last day you can input your meter readings
- British Gas customers will have until October 14 to submit their readings
- Bulb is giving customers three days
- E.ON customers will have until October 5
- Octopus Energy customers have until October 7 to submit readings
- EDF users can backdate up until October 7
- Shell households get 30 days
- Ovo and SSE will let you provide a meter reading at a later date, but only over the phone
Have you had any problems submitting energy meter readings? Let us know in the comments.
READ NEXT-
Scottish hotel named 'Best Wedding Hotel on a Global Level' in hospitality hat-trick
Ofgem energy bills rebate scam: How to identify it and protect yourself
Edinburgh coat exchange to see over 700 users as cost of living crisis worsens
Savvy Argos shoppers hail '1p a night alternative to putting heating on'
OVO Energy issues update over refund emails to customers amid 'confusion'
