Millions of UK households without smart meters are urged to read their gas and electricity meters by January 1st to avoid being overcharged on their energy bills. The price cap on energy tariffs is set to increase from January 1st, and accurate meter readings are crucial for avoiding potential overpayments.
Millions of UK residents have been urged to read their gas and electricity meters by January 1 to avoid the risk of overpaying on their energy bills. The price cap on energy tariffs is set to increase from January 1, meaning households without a smart meter need to have an accurate record of usage up to that date.
Failure to provide a correct reading could leave this group - estimated at nine million households - at risk of being overcharged by a total of £66 million, according to research by price comparison experts at Uswitch.com. They highlighted that the difference of just one week’s worth of energy being charged at the higher January rates compared with December is £6.67 per home on average – and £66 million for the UK. Uswitch advised: 'To avoid the higher price cap, which comes into effect on January 1, households on standard variable tariffs (SVTs) who don’t have a smart meter should record and submit their meter readings before New Year’s Day. 'The average household on an SVT with typical usage is expected to spend £135 on energy in December, compared with £165 in January. The rise is down to a combination of higher rates and increased usage at the start of the year. Those on SVTs without a smart meter who fail to submit meter readings on or around 1 January risk having some of their usage estimated and possibly charged under the new higher rates.' Uswitch's research found that 14 percent of households that have not recently submitted a reading say it’s because they do not know how to read their meter. A surprising 12 percent of households are unaware of the location of their meter. Industry analyst Cornwall Insight anticipates a 1 percent rise in the price cap to £1,762 in April. This could result in a third consecutive increase for households on default tariffs, following a 10 percent hike in October and a 1 percent rise from January
ENERGY PRICES PRICE CAP SMART METERS UK HOUSEHOLDS JANUARY INCREASE
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