Make sure you're not setting yourself up for a big catch-up bill from your energy supplier this winter.
What's the deal?
If you've been relying on estimated meter readings from your energy supplier you could find yourself paying over the odds for the gas and electricity you used before the 'big six' introduced their price hikes this summer.
As your provider has no way of knowing how many energy units you used before the price rise and how many you used after, there is a risk that you could end up being charged today's prices for energy you used earlier in the year.
For this reason, if you're currently operating on estimated billing it is essential that you check your meters and contact your supplier with accurate readings right away. This will minimise any potential for overcharging and help you to avoid an overpriced reconciliation bill landing on your door step in the near future.
How do I benefit?
The first step is to find out whether you are paying on an 'estimated reading' basis. The easiest way to do this is to check your most recent bill as your energy provider will detail this on there (often signified by the letter 'E').
If your last bill was based on an estimated reading you should check your meters and contact your supplier with the new readings as soon as possible. Your supplier should then update your account accordingly.
Expiry
Unfortunately this isn't a one-time only thing. To ensure that you continue to pay the correct price for the energy you use going forward it's advisable to contact your energy provider with meter readings on a regular basis. This is particularly important when you receive an estimated bill or are notified of a price increase.
