People have less than 24 hours to submit (Image: Getty)
People across the UK are being reminded that today, June 30, is the last day to take a photo and submit meter readings to energy companies before the next price cap rise. The Ofgem energy price cap is going up from the beginning of July, on Wednesday, meaning homes on standard variable tariffs will pay more per unit of gas and electricity they consume.
Taking a fresh look at gas and electric meter readings before July 1 will give bill payers the chance to submit their actual energy use figures, rather than companies using estimates. By ignoring this, Ofgem could wrongly charge you at the new, potentially higher rate for the energy you actually used in June.
Submitting an accurate reading by taking a picture ensures that the units you used in June are billed at the cheaper pre-July rate. Anyone on a fixed tariff can skip doing this, as their rates are locked in and are unaffected by the cap changes.
For homes with a working smart meter, this should happen automatically. But those with traditional meters, defective smart meters, or accounts relying on estimated readings may still need to provide a manual reading. The best way to do this is to take a photo of your current readings and then enter them into your energy account.
If a reading is lower than your provider’s estimate, you can ask them to reduce your monthly direct debit. Taking photos of your meters showing the readings and serial numbers gives you definitive proof in case of a billing dispute.
What is the new energy price cap from July 1?
Ofgem has reported that from July 1 to September 30, 2026, energy prices will increase by 13% for a typical household that uses both electricity and gas and pays by Direct Debit.
If you are on a standard variable tariff (default tariff) and pay for your electricity by Direct Debit, you will pay on average:
- Electricity: 26.11p per kilowatt hour (kWh). The daily standing charge is 57.19p.
- Gas: 7.33p per kilowatt hour (kWh). The daily standing charge is 29.04p.
Ofgem says: “This increase is a result of higher wholesale gas prices, caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. However, prices are still very much below the height of the energy crisis in 2022. The government then put a limit on bills of £2,500.”
The price cap could see some people paying more for energy (Image: Getty)
How do you take a meter reading properly?
Homeowners should take readings for both gas and electricity, unless their home only uses electricity. For a standard meter, write down the numbers from left to right, ignoring any red numbers or digits after a decimal point.
For digital meters, press the display button until the reading appears. For prepayment meters, the process can vary, so households should check the supplier’s instructions.
If you cannot access your meter safely, do not put yourself at risk. Ask your supplier for help, especially if the meter is too high, outside, locked away or difficult to reach.