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Make sure you put a date in your diary for National Meter Reading Day on Thursday 31 March.

The OFGEM energy price cap is increasing on Friday 1 April 2022. If you pay for your energy by direct debit, it’s important you submit meter readings before this date to make sure the energy you use up until then is not charged at the new increased rate.

So, put the 31 March in your diary as a reminder to submit your meter readings and ensure you don’t pay the higher price for the energy you’ve already used.

If you can’t submit your meter reading on this day, take a photo of your reading, which includes your meter’s serial number, as evidence of your reading – and the date the photo was taken.

If you have a non-smart prepayment meter, you won’t have to pay the new higher prices until you top up for the first time following the price cap increase on 1 April. Any existing credit you have on your prepayment meter will be charged at the old rate, meaning you could delay paying higher prices if you can top up before the increase.

If you choose to do this, make sure this doesn’t leave you short in other areas of your budget and don’t be tempted to use more energy than you would usually. 

Further help

If you’re worried about rising costs and struggling with debt repayments, there’s loads of useful information in our Financial Wellbeing Hub about how to budget better and maximise your income. You can also contact us for free debt advice and support here.