With the price cap due to increase on 1 April, over nine million households are urged to submit a meter reading to their supplier in advance to avoid the risk of overpaying on their energy bills.
These households will be on a standard variable tariff, where prices rise and fall with the price cap, and also not have a smart meter which automatically submits readings to suppliers. These households could risk their usage being estimated and maybe wrongly charged on rates which will be 6.4% higher from April until 30 June. This could be an overpayment of £3.62 per week (£34 million in total).
Can customers switch energy to save?
These customers can switch to a fixed deal to ensure they save against the price cap. There are a high number of fixed deals available with savings around £239 per year - the highest seen on the market since May 2024.
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Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “With the price cap rising on 1 April, it’s important to submit a meter reading to avoid paying higher rates on any energy that you don’t need to.
“Now is also an ideal time to look at switching to a new energy tariff. By opting for a fixed deal, you’re locking in those rates for the duration – which means households could have price certainty and avoid the ups and downs of the price cap. Make sure you’re happy with how long the contract lasts and the exit fees you may have to pay to leave early.
Katharine, 38, lives in Derbyshire and saved an estimated £420 a year by switching to a new fixed deal when hers ended: “I was paying £74 a month but when my deal was about to end, my supplier at the time contacted me to say my rates were going up, as I would be moved onto their standard tariff. The new direct debit was going to be almost £50 a month more expensive, which was a shock!
“I wanted to see if I could get a better deal, so I ran a comparison online - it was quick and easy to do. The results showed me that I didn’t have to be paying so much for my energy. I switched over to a fixed deal and I’m glad I did, because now I know I won’t be hit with price rises, including the April increase.”
What else can customers do before the energy price rise?
- 1Check meter readings are up to date
Submitting a meter reading in advance will ensure you're paying the right rates for the right time periods.
- 2Track your energy usage
You can check how much energy you’re using by downloading the free Uswitch app. Engaging with your energy usage will help you take steps to reduce it where you're using too much.
- 3Change your tariff
If you're on a variable tariff, it's extremely likely you can save by switching to a fixed deal. With rates rising in April, now is a great time to assess your options and lock in lower rates
