Households urged to take meter readings before midnight ahead to avoid even higher bills
Bills are set to increase by almost 54% from April 1st
Last updated 29th May 2022
Experts are advising households to check their meter readings ahead of the highest jump in energy costs in living memory.
From Friday (April 1st), energy prices are set to soar by almost 54%, equalling to around ÂŁ700 a year.
The reasoning for the increase is the rise in the price cap, which limits how much gas and electricity suppliers can pass their costs onto the paying customer.
Submit your meter readings today
As a result, public service Citizens Advice have urged people to submit meter readings ahead of the rise so that the exact amount of energy being used can be calculated.
It will also help to stop energy companies from estimating the usage and potentially charging customers at the higher rate.
Regulator Ofgem was forced to raise the price cap to a record ÂŁ1,971 for a typical household as gas prices soared to unprecedented highs.
Due to the rise, the National Energy Action group has said that 6.5 million homes across the UK will no longer be able to properly heat their homes, with the cost of heating a house doubling in the space of 18 months.
Speaking about the advice, Gillian Cooper - head of energy policy at Citizens Advice - said that this would be the beginning of a very worrying time.
"We'd recommend sending meter readings to your supplier ahead of the price cap rise on 1 April. This means your energy company will have an accurate picture of your usage before higher rates come in," she said.
"If you're struggling to pay your bill, speak to your energy provider as they have to help you. Citizens Advice can also provide you with free, independent support."
"Extremely worrying"
In a statement, an Ofgem spokeswoman said that the regulator is trying to ensure people are paying a fair price.
She said: "We know this rise will be extremely worrying for many people. The energy market has faced a huge challenge due to the unprecedented increase in global gas prices, a once in a 30-year event, and Ofgem's role as energy regulator is to ensure that, under the price cap, energy companies can only charge a fair price based on the true cost of supplying electricity and gas.
"Ofgem is working to stabilise the market and over the longer term to diversify our sources of energy which will help protect customers from similar price shocks in the future."
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