How to save money on energy: Your essential guide to bills

Millions of British households are expected to struggle with their energy bills as the cost of living crisis mounts.

Many of us are trying to cut back on usage after the energy price cap hike in April that saw gas and electricity costs rise 54 per cent to £1,971 per year for the average household.

With the price cap due to rise again in October, it’s never been more important to get on top of your energy bills. 

In our essential guide to how to save on energy, we explain everything you need to know from how your bills are worked out, to whether you can still fix, if a smart meter is worth it and, of course, some energy saving tips.

Can I switch energy providers and fix my bills?   

Until the energy crunch arrived, the advice was simple: people were urged to switch energy providers regularly to get the best deal possible. 

Unfortunately, this doesn’t work at the moment and the energy market is looking pretty bleak for the rest of 2022. 

 In almost all cases, switching providers will no longer gain you a more competitive deal: fixed rate energy deals are few and far between, and most are priced considerably higher than the energy price cap. 

In 2021, the wholesale cost of gas jumped and 29 energy companies went bust, meaning millions of customers were forced to move to a different supplier. This added costs into the system and reduced competition, and energy prices have soared, exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Many comparison sites have paused their energy switching services, some energy providers won’t take on new customers, and the common advice is that most people would be better off on the energy price cap tariff.

Unfortunately this means if you’re approaching the end of a fixed rate tariff, you will struggle to shop around to move to a better deal than the price cap tariff you would default to.

Most suppliers have withdrawn their more competitively-priced energy deals, saying they simply can’t afford to offer them.

Fixing is therefore tough and may mean signing up to a long period of paying more than the energy price cap.

What is the energy price cap? 

The energy price cap is set by watchdog Ofgem and was created to limit the prices gas and electricity providers could charge those on their default variable tariffs.

It was designed as a safety net for those who didn’t switch providers to find cheaper bills, but as costs have soared and the energy market has seized up it has become a consumer lifeline.

The price cap is set by Ofgem in line with energy market pricing and other costs and is adjusted twice a year.

Ofgem says: ‘It stops energy companies from making excessive profits, ensuring customers pay no more than a fair price for their energy. The price cap allows energy companies to pass on all reasonable costs to customers, including increases in the cost of buying gas.’

Ofgem says that about 22 million households are now on energy price cap tariffs. In April 2022, the new price cap came into effect to accommodate the increasing cost of wholesale gas and electricity, rising from £1,277 to £1,971, for the average household.

Ofgem is expected to begin reviewing the upcoming October energy price cap in August 2022, with bills expected to soar a further £700. It has announced that it may set the energy price cap four times a year, which it claims will help bills fall sooner once energy prices start to decline. Critics argue this will limit supplier incentives to offer better cheap fixed deals though.

If you are on a price cap tariff, there may not be much of an incentive to switch, but it’s worth checking to see if you can get a better deal elsewhere, or to see if your current supplier can move you to a rate that would suit you more.

Just don’t get your hopes up, do the maths carefully, beware expensive fixes and watch out for any charges to leave.

Ofgem’s current price cap increased bills to almost £2,000 for the average household in April, and experts predict it could increase again in October

How do I ensure my meter readings and bills are right?

If you don’t have a smart meter, giving meter readings to your supplier is the only way to be sure you pay only for what you use and your bills don’t end up way out of line with that.

Without them your supplier will estimate how much energy you’re using and charge you based on that – this can mean big bills suddenly landing as you fall behind.

If your last bill was larger than expected, there could be many legitimate reasons why you could be asked to pay more: 

• your energy supplier has increased prices 
• your usage has risen, for example, due to cold weather
• your bill is based on an actual meter reading, rather than an estimated reading

Unfortunately though, it can be common for errors to occur when submitting your meter reading, and they can prove costly if not dealt with swiftly. 

How to challenge energy bills you think are wrong

If you suddenly get a big bill, the most important thing to remember is that consumers are protected against back billing of more than a year by Ofgem rules.

This means that you can’t be charged for gas or electricity used over a year ago if you were incorrectly billed, or not correctly informed beforehand.

This also includes situations where a supplier could increase your Direct Debit because it was set too low originally, but the rule does not apply if you have behaved obstructively or unreasonably, preventing accurate billing.

If you do receive a back bill then you should get in touch with your energy provider, letting them know that you are protected by the back-billing rules and will only pay for the energy you have consumed within the last 12 months.

But, if you receive a bill for energy within the last year, and you are worried that it is incorrect, you should contact your energy provider as quickly as possible to resolve any potential issues that may be the cause. 

If you are unsure if your bill is correct, it could be worth calling your provider’s customer service team, who will be able to talk you through your bill in more detail. 

If you don’t get a satisfactory answer, you should write to your supplier, via post or email, explaining why you think your bill may be incorrect, along with an up to date meter reading and any evidence to back it up. 

Ask them to provide you with evidence of meter readings and rates being charged for different periods. Ensure you keep a record of all evidence and communication too.

How do I read my electricity meter?

There are three types of standard electricity meters that you could come across in your home: single rate meters, two rate meters and dial meters.   

For single rate meters, you should read the numbers from left to right. You shouldn’t include any numbers in red, or after a decimal point, when you submit them to your energy provider.

For two rate meters it can get a little more complicated. Two rate meters are usually used for economy 7 or economy 10 tariffs, which charge different rates of energy in off-peak hours, usually one for your day usage and one for night usage. 

If you have a digital two rate meter, you should be able to change your settings to show you your ‘rates’, with Rate 1 for your peak energy consumption, and Rate 2 for off-peak.  

The reading for this old-school dial meter would be 33823: they can often be the most confusing for customers

Dial meters can be the most confusing type of meter, but they are relatively simple to read once you know how.

The dials move in alternating clockwise and anti-clockwise directions, and you should read them from left to right, ignoring any numbers in red.

When the pointer is between two numbers, record the lower number, and if it’s between 9 and 0, you should record the number as 9.

When the pointer is directly on a number, check the next dial to the right. If the dial on the right reads 8 or 9, then you should lower the reading for the dial with the pointer directly on the number. 

If you have a smart meter, your energy provider should be receiving regular meter readings automatically, though you can change the frequency of your meter readings by speaking to your provider or online, or by changing the settings on your device.  

From May 2022, all energy providers will begin migrating customers on smart meters to send meter readings as often as every half an hour as a default, but you should still be able to change this setting by contacting your energy provider. 

Smart meters should also be regularly checked to make sure they are sending the right information – making sure the meter tallies with your bills.

If you are worried that you may be paying too much for your energy, it’s always worth submitting an additional meter reading and asking your provider to confirm how much you should be paying.          

Can energy saving tips really bring bills down?

The first, and possibly biggest, step you can make is to ensure your home is as energy efficient as possible.

Ensuring your windows are double glazed and upgrading your insulation are two of the most effective changes you can make to significantly reduce the amount of energy you consume and ensure you stay warm and toasty for longer.

Obviously, however, these are long-term moves and expensive. They aren’t simple money saving tips for those on a tight budget right now. 

In a recent article, we looked at energy saving tips and what they really save you and we have listed the Energy Saving Trust’s top tips above.

Advice from some providers and energy experts suggests turning electronic devices off entirely could save you money, but claims vary widely and it very much depends on your devices and who you believe.

Research suggests that turning your TV off standby would only save you £0.45 a year on your energy bill, whereas turning your washing machine off at the wall could save you up to £5 a year.

For single rate meters, you read the numbers from left to right, but you shouldn’t include any numbers in red, or after a decimal point, when you submit them to your energy provider

Ensuring every device you don’t need to use is turned off completely could still save you around £60 a year on your energy bill, but you will need to stay super vigilant to reap the rewards.

Washing your clothes on lower heat settings is another way to cut down on your energy consumption, with Which? claiming it can save £12 per year. Avoiding using your tumble dryer wherever possible also works, as tumble drying costs about £1.50 each time.

The average shower uses around nine litres of water every minute, of which six litres are heated at a cost of around 1p per litre. Therefore, a ten minute shower could cost around 60p per person, per day. 

Cutting shower time by two minutes would see you paying around 48p per person, per day, saving around £44 per year for each inhabitant of the house. 

Ultimately, most energy saving tips don’t make a huge difference on their own but if you try to do as many as you can, you will save money – often helped by using less water too. They won’t make much a huge dent in your bills, but as the ad slogan goes ‘every little helps’.

What help is available if I am struggling to pay my energy bills? 

If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills, or are worried you may miss a payment, you should speak to your energy firm. Many have dedicated teams to help you and can work out payment plans for big bills.

It is also worth checking whether you may be eligible for some financial support from the Government, or from your energy provider.

On the news of the price cap’s significant increase in April, the UK Government has taken a number of steps to help support those struggling financially.

Those living in properties with a council tax band A-D should expect receive a £150 rebate directly from their council in the coming months.

The Government also announced a £200 energy rebate to be paid to every UK household in October. Unfortunately, households are unable to opt out of the energy ‘loan’, which will be paid back in £40 instalments over five years. 

If you were born on or before 26 September 1955, then you may be entitled to a tax-free Winter Fuel payment of between £100 and £300, which is designed to help those at risk to stay warm during winter. 

If you’re not eligible for the Winter Fuel payment, you could still potentially get money off your energy bills for 2021/22 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. 

This is a one-off discount on your electricity bill, paid directly to your energy provider on your behalf between October and March, and you should contact your energy provider to discuss your eligibility.

 Most energy providers should allow you to change from a prepayment meter to a direct debit tariff or credit meter for free, as long as you are not in debt with your energy provider

Can you ditch your prepayment meter?

If your home currently has an old-style, prepayment meter, you can ask your energy supplier to replace it with a new credit meter, or a smart meter, for free.

A prepayment meter is a type of gas or electricity meter that requires you to pre-pay for your energy before you use it. They are often more expensive for energy use.

You have a prepayment meter if you have to ‘top up’ a prepayment card, key or app to pay for your gas or electricity. 

You can switch to a credit meter, which allows households to pay a set amount a month for their energy usage, or make the switch to a direct debit tariff.

However, its worth noting that your supplier usually won’t replace your meter or change your smart meter setting if you’re currently in debt to them.

If you are in a rented property, you don’t need your landlord’s permission to change your meter, though they could ask you to change your meter back when you move out.  

If your current energy supplier charges for prepayment meter removal or suggests you are unable to switch from a prepayment meter, you can consider switching to a supplier that won’t. 

Prepayment meters are being phased out by the smart meter initiative, which aims to offer a smart meter in a bid to make it easier for households to top up their energy and to help them better understand how they consume energy throughout the day. 

How do I get a smart meter and will it save me money?

Energy companies and the Government are encouraging customers to make the move to smart meters.

Available at no upfront cost, they offer a number of benefits over traditional meters from automatic readings, more accurate energy bills, and real-time reports on your current energy usage.

However, many customers are unconvinced and reluctant to move to them. This has led to delays in the rollout and rows over smart meters, especially as they are seen as a potential threat to privacy and able to usher in peak pricing to throttle usage.

Nonetheless, the great advantage of a smart meter is that your bills should be accurate, and there are millions of satisfied households already using one. 

To make the switch, you should speak directly to your current energy provider to discuss your eligibility and the tariff options that a smart meter can offer.

Its worth remembering though, that while the energy sector is planning to offer every household in the UK a smart meter by 2025, they are not mandatory. 

But there are some tariffs out there where smart meters are required in order to get the tariff at the advertised rates, and energy companies may offer fewer options to those who do not have a smart meter in the future.

How is my energy bill calculated? 

Energy bills are made up of a number of costs covering what companies do (and how they make a profit) as well as the gas and electricity actually used by a household. 

The wholesale market price of gas and electricity accounts for the biggest portion of the average energy bill at around 50 per cent.  

The next largest chunk of the typical customer’s bill, around 18 per cent, goes towards providing and running energy infrastructure, such as pylons and gas pipelines. 

Policy costs currently account for around eight per cent of your bill. This covers energy company obligation schemes, which pay to upgrade home insulation for households on low incomes; as well as renewables obligations, which require suppliers to get some of their electricity from renewable sources.

Energy companies are currently able to claim operating costs equating to around £220 of the annual average price-capped energy bill, up 10 per cent from last October. 

The previous price cap allowed energy suppliers to claim £23 from each default energy tariff as profit, but under the new April cap they make more than £37 on an average energy bill.

The Government also takes 5 per cent of the typical energy bill in VAT, equating to £98 a year for the average household – up from £61 before April – or more than £2.1bn in total.

The next price cap will be set by Ofgem in August and come into force in October

Why are bills so high and when might they fall?

Energy bills have spiralled in the rebound from the Covid lockdowns, because the wholesale cost of gas and electricity rose dramatically.

With the failure of nearly 30 energy suppliers in 2021, energy companies bore the brunt of the cost of migrating customers, which is now being passed on in our energy bills. 

The situation was described as a perfect storm for the energy market.

A surge in demand for energy after the pandemic lulls propelled prices to unprecedented levels and, as with any market, prices tend to overshoot and can continue their upward momentum for some time.

A cold winter in 2021, problems with gas storage, pipelines and geopolitical issues – escalated dramatically by the Russia-Ukraine war – and other factors have all contributed to this.

At the same time, gas production in some areas of the world has fallen due to issues that have arisen as a result of the pandemic.

In Britain, many players in the energy market were running on fumes and when prices rose, unprofitable and unsustainable businesses got caught out – particularly as many were forced by the price cap to sell energy at a loss.

Even a prolonged period of low wind in the UK also meant lower renewable energy generation than ideal. 

Coupled with outages at nuclear power stations, this meant we were more heavily reliant on gas power – and with limited storage that meant having to buy more in at market prices.

Prices have also been impacted by strong demand for liquified natural gas in Asia, which has reduced the amount that has reached Europe.

A fire at a National Grid site in Kent in 2021 resulted in damage to a power cable that runs between England and France, which is used to import electricity from the continent and is not expected to be back up and running until 2023.

Meanwhile, the UK has some of the lowest gas reserves in Europe, which means there’s almost no way of stockpiling gas to use it when needed.  

Demand is not set to drop any time soon, so unfortunately bills are unlikely to fall in the coming months, until gas supply capacity constraints ease and the Russia-Ukraine crisis de-escalates.

Warmer weather over the summer months should alleviate some of the strain on demand, but the energy price cap is still forecast to rise by about another 30 per cent in autumn.

Most analysts predict energy prices will not start falling until towards the end of next winter.