BRITISH Gas customers have just days left to act to avoid facing higher bills.
The energy provider is asking customers to submit a meter reading by July 14 following the price cap drop.
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The regulator Ofgem confirmed the typical gas and electricity bill is capped at £2,074 a year as of July 1.
It means that the fall in the price cap will reward households battling the cost of living with a £426 annual saving.
But it is important for households to make sure they take a meter reading to ensure they aren’t charged more than what they use.
An updated meter reading will mean your supplier has a better idea of your usage.
It means it’ll then be able to charge you fairly.
Energy suppliers usually require you to take regular meter readings from your gas and electricity meter to work out how much they should charge you.
British Gas customers have until July 14 to submit one – if they don’t then the provider will estimate their usage instead.
This could mean that they end up paying more than what they use.
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The 14 July deadline is so British Gas has enough time to estimate your usage before billing you.
However, if you’ve taken a meter reading before the deadline but haven’t been able to submit it don’t worry.
Just contact British Gas once you’re able to and it should apply the reading to your account so you’re charged correctly.
Once you’ve taken a reading, you’ll need to submit it via the British Gas website: https://www.britishgas.co.uk/help-and-support/submit-meter-read.
We’ve explained how to take and submit a meter reading.
If you have a smart meter your readings will be taken automatically so there’s no need to submit them.
If you have a pre-payment meter you do not need to do anything.
How can I cut down on my energy bills?
Check if you qualify for support
Millions are also in line to receive cost of living payments worth up to £1,350.
The first instalment of the £900 payment has been paid to millions on certain benefits, including Universal Credit and Pension Credit.
Meanwhile, a £150 payment is currently being issued to millions with disabilities.
Plus, pensioners who are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023/24 will get an extra £150 or £300 paid on top of their normal payment later this year.
Energy suppliers also offer plenty of energy grants and schemes to help you out if you’re struggling.
Here’s a list of schemes open right now:
- British Gas Energy Trust Individuals and Family Fund
- British Gas Energy Trust
- EDF Customer Support Fund
- E.ON and E.ON Next Grants
- Octopus Energy Assist Fund
- OVO Energy
- Scottish Power Hardship Fund
There’s a one-off fuel voucher from your energy supplier if you’re on a prepayment meter.
Consider switching to a direct debit
Households who pay for their gas and electricity on receipt of bill will still end up paying £138 more per year from today compared to those who pay by direct debit or through a prepayment meter.
For most, the cheapest way to pay your energy bills is via direct debit.
From July 1, a typical household that pays their energy bill by direct debit will pay the following rates:
- 7.51p per kilowatt hour (p/kWh) for gas
- 30.11p/kWh for electricity
- A standing charge of 29.11p per day for gas
- A standing charge of 52.97p per day for electricity
It means that a household with typical usage can expect to pay £2,073.98 a year.
This is based on the average household using 12,000kWh of gas and 2,900kWh of electricity every year.
But those who pay on receipt of their bills will sadly pay more.
They can expect to pay £2,211.63 across the same period.
This is because these households will have to pay the following unit rates and standing charges:
- 7.91p per kilowatt hour (p/kWh) for gas
- 31.72p/kWh for electricity
- A standing charge of 34.34p per day for gas
- A standing charge of 59.51p per day for electricity
These charges are issued to households who pay by credit, debit card, cheque and standing order.
The simplest way to avoid these higher rates is to switch to direct debit.
You can contact your energy company to discuss this change.
Check and challenge your bill
If you pay your energy bill by direct debit, then it is assumed that this monthly amount should be “fair and reasonable”.
If you don’t think it is, you can complain directly to your supplier in the first instance.
If you’re not happy with the outcome you can take it to the independent Energy Ombudsman to dispute, but there are a few steps before you get to that stage.
Your supplier must clearly explain why it’s chosen that amount for your direct debit.
If you’ve got credit on your account, you have every right to get it back – although some experts recommend keeping it there through the summer, so your bills don’t go up in the winter when you use more energy.
Your supplier must refund you or explain exactly why not otherwise the regulator, Ofgem, can fine suppliers if they don’t.
If you are disputing a bill, taking a meter reading is a must.
If it’s lower than your estimate, you can ask your provider to lower your monthly direct debit to a more suitable amount.
But beware so you don’t end up in debt later on with a bigger catch-up bill at the end of the year from underpayments racking up.
If you don’t have success in negotiating a lower payment then you can put in a complaint to the Energy Ombudsman.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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