Energy bill warning as households urged to submit readings

More than seven million homes without smart meters are being urged to submit an up-to-date meter reading before the end of the year to avoid being overcharged when energy prices rise.

Uswitch.com has warned that those on standard variable tariffs who don’t submit a reading and do not have a smart meter could have part of their December usage billed at the higher January rate.

Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, said: "Households should take a moment to read their energy meter over the festive period to avoid the possibility of being charged incorrectly at January’s higher energy rates.

"Customers who don’t have a smart meter should submit their readings before or on Thursday 1 January, so their supplier has an updated - and accurate - view of their account.

"Energy bill-payers can also get ahead of January’s price hike by fixing at cheaper rates right now.

"Currently, there are a range of fixed deals available that are around £233 cheaper than the January price cap for the average household.

"If you can switch to a deal cheaper than the January price cap, now is a good time to make the change.

"We urge customers to run an energy comparison as soon as possible to see how much you could save off your heating bills."

The warning comes ahead of a five per cent rise in electricity rates for those on a default tariff.

Households with typical energy usage are expected to pay about £166 in January, up from £140 in December, due to rising rates and increased winter consumption.

Customers without a smart meter who fail to provide a reading on or around 1 January could have some of their December usage billed at the higher January rate.

Uswitch is also advising households to consider switching to fixed-rate energy deals.

There are currently 27 fixed deals on the market that are cheaper than the January price cap, with the lowest offering potential savings of around £233.

For those looking to keep costs down, Uswitch recommends checking and submitting accurate meter readings, tracking energy usage, and reviewing current tariffs to see if a better deal is available.

The company also suggests using its app to monitor energy consumption and take advantage of money-saving schemes.