Quick and simple task could help households avoid paying more than they should after the Ofgem price cap rises on July 1
People across the UK are being advised to take one photograph before July 1, in guidance backed by the Money Saving Expert (MSE) founder, Martin Lewis. The Ofgem energy price cap is rising from the beginning of July, meaning numerous households on standard variable tariffs will pay more per unit of gas and electricity they consume.
However, according to one energy specialist, the greatest error people can make is presuming their supplier will automatically know how much energy they consumed before and after the price adjustment. Justin Nielsen, energy consultant at Wolf River Electric, says a straightforward meter reading could help avoid billing confusion and minimise the risk of households being charged at the incorrect rate, reports the Express.
He said: “The one thing I would tell every household to do before July 1 is take a clear meter reading and keep a photo of it. It takes less than five minutes, but it gives you a record of exactly where your usage stood before the new rates came in. The price cap does not mean your bill is capped. It caps what suppliers can charge per unit of energy and standing charge, so your final bill still depends on how much you use. That is why accurate readings matter so much.”
Justin’s guidance mirrors that of Martin Lewis, who regularly urges households to snap a quick photograph of their meters, particularly as part of his recommendations for ‘Meter Reading Day’. He previously said: “I would still get your phone out and take a picture of your meter today just in case of a future dispute, you don’t need to do anything with it, you might want to email it to yourself so you’ve got proof.”
On the MSE website, the team of experts also advise: “The easiest way is to take a picture of your meters, so you have the readings to hand. Then you can log in to your online account and enter the readings.”
Why should you take a meter reading before July 1?
When the price cap shifts, suppliers must divide usage between the old tariffs and the new tariffs. For households with a functioning smart meter, this should typically occur automatically. But those with traditional meters, defective smart meters, or accounts relying on estimated readings may still need to provide a manual reading.
Justin cautioned that relying on an estimate can create difficulties, particularly if a household has consumed less energy than normal before July. He explained: “If your supplier does not have an up-to-date reading, they may estimate how much energy you used before the price change and how much came after it. That estimate might be reasonable, but it is still a guess.
“The risk is that some of your cheaper pre-July usage could be pushed into the more expensive period. Even if the difference is not huge for every household, nobody wants to pay more than they should because of an avoidable estimate.”
He added: “A photo is useful because it gives you proof. Make sure the numbers are visible, and if your phone records the date automatically, even better. Keep it until your next bill has arrived and you are happy the reading has been used properly.”
Who needs to take a meter reading before July 1?
The warning is most crucial for households without a smart meter, those whose smart meter isn’t transmitting readings correctly, or anyone who has previously received estimated bills. It equally applies to those who have recently relocated, switched supplier, altered their direct debit, or experienced a period where their bills didn’t appear correct.
Justin said: “If your bills regularly say ‘estimated’, you should not wait until the next statement lands. Take control of the reading yourself. Estimated bills can catch people out because they often do not notice until weeks later. By then, it is harder to remember what your usage looked like at the time.”
He continued: “This is particularly important for households that have made an effort to cut usage in June. If you have been using less heating, drying clothes outside, cooking differently, or trying to keep costs low, you want that lower usage recorded accurately before the higher rates begin.”
How do you take a meter reading properly?
Households 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.
Justin said: “Do not just scribble the number on a piece of paper and lose it. Take a photo, submit the reading through your supplier’s app or website, and keep a note of the confirmation if you get one. 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.”
He also advised taking the reading as close to July 1 as possible, but avoiding leaving it until the last minute if the supplier’s app or phone lines are congested. He said: “The best time is usually the evening before or the morning of the change. But if you know you will forget, doing it a day or two earlier is still better than doing nothing. The key is to avoid going into July with an old reading on the account.”
Smart meter households should still check their account
While smart meters are built to transmit readings automatically, Justin warned households against assuming everything is running smoothly. He explained: “A smart meter can make this much easier, but I would still log into your account and check that recent readings are actually showing.
“Some smart meters lose communication, some accounts do not update properly, and some households have in-home displays that look fine even when the supplier is not receiving the data.” He added: “If your bill says estimated, your smart meter is not doing the job you think it is doing. That is when you need to contact the supplier and ask what is happening.”
Other energy checks to make before July.
Justin also encouraged households to use the price cap change as a prompt to review their tariff, direct debit and day-to-day energy habits. He said: “This is a good moment to review the whole account. Check whether you are on a fixed deal or a variable tariff, look at your standing charge and unit rates, and compare your direct debit against your real usage.
“Do not cancel a direct debit because you are frustrated with the amount, but do challenge it if it looks completely out of line with what you are using.”
With summer just around the corner, he warned that many households could also find themselves frittering away money on fans, portable air conditioners and appliances without even noticing. Justin said: “People often think summer bills will automatically be low because the heating is off, but that is not always the case. Fridges and freezers work harder in warm kitchens, fans get left on in empty rooms, and portable air conditioners can be expensive if they are used badly.
“A fan should cool you, not an empty room. If nobody is in there, switch it off. With portable air conditioning, keep doors closed, seal the window properly and do not set the temperature unrealistically low.”
The simple rule to avoid bill shock
The energy consultant said households should treat the July 1 change as a financial cut-off point. He said: “Think of it like taking a photo of your mileage before selling a car. You are creating a record, and that record protects you if something does not add up later. The most expensive energy mistake is often the one you do not notice straight away. A bad estimate, a faulty smart reading or an unchecked tariff can quietly cost you over time.”
Justin added: “My advice is simple: take the reading, submit it, photograph it and check your next bill. If the reading has not been used, query it straight away. People cannot control global energy prices, but they can control whether their own account is accurate. That small bit of admin before July 1 could make the difference between a bill you understand and one you have to fight later.”
