More than seven million households across the UK are being warned they could receive inaccurate energy bills in the new year if they fail to take a crucial step this month.
Urgent Meter Reading Deadline Looms
According to the comparison service Uswitch.com, households on standard variable tariffs without a smart meter need to submit an up-to-date meter reading by Thursday 1st January 2026. This action is vital to prevent energy suppliers from estimating usage, which could lead to customers being charged at January's higher rates for energy they used in December.
Ben Gallizzi, an energy expert at Uswitch.com, stated: “Households should take a moment to read their energy meter over the festive period to avoid the possibility of being charged incorrectly at January’s higher energy rates.” He emphasised that providing a reading on or before the 1st January ensures suppliers have an accurate view of consumption.
Winter Price Hike and Rising Costs
The warning comes ahead of a scheduled increase to the energy price cap in just over two weeks. From 1st January, electricity rates for those on a default tariff will rise by 5%.
This change, combined with higher winter usage, means the average household with typical consumption will see a significant jump in costs. Average monthly spending is projected to rise from £140 in December to £166 in January.
Switch Now to Lock in Savings
Uswitch is strongly urging consumers not to stop at a meter reading. The service advises households to proactively switch to a fixed energy deal before the year ends to protect themselves from further market volatility.
Currently, the cheapest fixed deals on the market offer substantial savings. The average household could save around £233 compared to the anticipated January price cap.
“If you can switch to a deal cheaper than the January price cap, now is a good time to make the change,” advised Gallizzi. “We urge customers to run an energy comparison as soon as possible to see how much you could save off your heating bills.”
In summary, the key steps for bill-payers are:
- Submit a meter reading by 1st January 2026 if you don't have a smart meter.
- Track your energy usage closely over the high-consumption winter period.
- Compare and consider switching to a fixed-rate tariff to lock in current prices and achieve potential savings.
