People across the UK have been urged to take their gas and electricity meter readings this week to avoid paying more on their bills.
On April 1, energy regulator Ofgem is raising its price cap, meaning that households across Scotland and the UK will be facing higher costs.
Over 20 million households will see their energy bills rise by around £693 per year, as part of a worsening cost of living crisis.
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However, financial guru Martin Lewis has advised that if you take a meter reading on March 31 — this Thursday — you can tell your provider exactly how much gas and electricity you used prior to the price cap rise.
Speaking on the Martin Lewis Money Show earlier this month, he explained: "That way you draw a line in the sand that says to your energy firm, I've only used this amount at the cheaper rate.
"Don't start charging me more on the higher rate and estimating I use some of it afterwards."
Doing this will ensure that you are not charged for energy units used at the old lower rates before the change on April 1.
As reported by The Mirror, the energy price cap isn’t an absolute cap on bills, as its name suggests but rather a limit on how much a supplier can charge for gas and electricity.
It is crucial to send regular meter readings, otherwise your energy supplier will estimate your usage and you could end up being overcharged.
A digital meter will display five numbers in black or white, and may be followed by one or more red numbers.
To send a meter reading, you will have to send the first five numbers shown from left to right (you can ignore any red numbers) to your energy supplier — this can usually be done over the phone, online or through an app.
