Take your meter readings on 1st January 2024

landghove

Last month, Ofgem announced that the price cap energy rates will be going up from 1st January. We want to make sure your bills continue to be as accurate as possible, and that you’re paying the right amount for your energy.

That’s why we’ve made it easy for you to send us your meter readings.

Take your readings on 1st January

Oh really?...I normally take mine on the 24th...should I wait as British Gas advise until 1st January?

pramsay13

Depends on your own supplier. If they are increasing their prices then it's worth taking a reading on the day of the change. 

victor2

If you're on a variable tariff, provide your readings as usual but also on January 1, to ensure you are charged for the utilities used at the rates in effect at the time you used them.

JSHarris

I've been in the habit of taking and submitting a reading on the last day of the month and doing the same on the first day of the month, to be sure that any price change can be fairly applied.  I also take a photo of the meter readings at the end of month and start of month, as a belt and braces precaution that costs nothing and only takes seconds.  The difference between the two readings, in terms of the impact of price changes is pretty small, but I've learned not to trust any supplier to get it right.

dealyboy

If an E7 user is having a price change or new supplier from 1st Jan 00:00 (like me) then it may be advisable to take a meter read (and photo) of the off-peak register during peak hours on the 31st Dec and a meter read (and photo) of the peak register during the off-peak hours on the 1st Jan.

molerat

With Eon Next, and I believe other Kraken users, readings are submitted on 1st but are billed up to end of previous day so effectively taken at midnight.  A bit of a win or lose depending on which way the price is going but nothing to get concerned over.

Scot_39

dealyboy said:

If an E7 user is having a price change or new supplier from 1st Jan 00:00 (like me) then it may be advisable to take a meter read (and photo) of the off-peak register during peak hours on the 31st Dec and a meter read (and photo) of the peak register during the off-peak hours on the 1st Jan.

Why the 2 seperate reading timings ?

Might be naive - but isn't the most accurate thing to do simply read / photograph both registers as close to midnight on 31st as possible. 

Isnt that essentially how a smart meter behaves - snapshotting registers at end of day - and then the suppliers upload them following day etc. and bill accordingly

Especially arguably for those with an E7 off peak period starting ahead of midnight. Like those whos off peak starts at 23:00 or 22:30 in some regions for those with a split 2hr+5hr block system.

I could use 10+kWh in first hour easily of an off peak slot at end of longer peak session (max gap in my case 8 hours - not 16-17 hours).

But with my off peak rate changing c1.8p (peak 0.9p) - the cost of paying the increase would be of the order of 20p.  Something I wouldn't lose sleep over that anyway.

In reality for most tough just getting a reading in either in days just ahead - or for suppliers who prefer - a reading taken on 31st or 1 st  - but submitted later.

Different suppliers had different post date limits guidance for customers in Oct 23 in this MSE article - which says reading can be done few days early as well.  Might be important to those who have plans for the bells at this cap change.

Anyone seen a Jan updated version ?

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/meter-reading-day---what-you-need-to-know/

MikeJXE

JSHarris said:

I've been in the habit of taking and submitting a reading on the last day of the month and doing the same on the first day of the month, to be sure that any price change can be fairly applied.  I also take a photo of the meter readings at the end of month and start of month, as a belt and braces precaution that costs nothing and only takes seconds.  The difference between the two readings, in terms of the impact of price changes is pretty small, but I've learned not to trust any supplier to get it right.

That's exactly what I do and those that don't will be on here complaining their supplier got it wrong 

JSHarris

Scot_39 said:

Isnt that essentially how a smart meter behaves - snapshotting registers at end of day - and then the suppliers upload them following day etc. and bill accordingly

Smart meters record 48 readings each day, every 30 minutes, using their own internal clock that is re-synced to internet time whenever the meter connects.  They send readings to DCC as and when, usually once a day, but if connectivity isn't great this may be a bit irregular.  They can store readings for a fair time, so if there is a delay data shouldn't be lost, it should eventually get to DCC.  The timing of data transmission to DCC is not synchronous and also can be subject to external delays (for example when your meter cannot communicate directly, so sends your data to a neighbour, whose meter may then send it to another neighbour, until eventually the data gets to the WAN and hence to DCC.

dealyboy

@Scot_39 said:

dealyboy said:

If an E7 user is having a price change or new supplier from 1st Jan 00:00 (like me) then it may be advisable to take a meter read (and photo) of the off-peak register during peak hours on the 31st Dec and a meter read (and photo) of the peak register during the off-peak hours on the 1st Jan.

Why the 2 seperate reading timings ?

Might be naive - but isn't the most accurate thing to do simply read / photograph both registers as close to midnight on 31st as possible. 

Isnt that essentially how a smart meter behaves - snapshotting registers at end of day - and then the suppliers upload them following day etc. and bill accordingly

Especially arguably for those with an E7 off peak period starting ahead of midnight. Like those whos off peak starts at 23:00 or 22:30 in some regions for those with a split 2hr+5hr block system.

I could use 10+kWh in first hour easily of an off peak slot at end of longer peak session (max gap in my case 8 hours - not 16-17 hours).

But with my off peak rate changing c1.8p (peak 0.9p) - the cost of paying the increase would be of the order of 20p.  Something I wouldn't lose sleep over that anyway.

In reality for most tough just getting a reading in either in days just ahead - or for suppliers who prefer - a reading taken on 31st or 1 st  - but submitted later.

Different suppliers had different post date limits guidance for customers in Oct 23 in this MSE article - which says reading can be done few days early as well.  Might be important to those who have plans for the bells at this cap change.

Anyone seen a Jan updated version ?

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/meter-reading-day---what-you-need-to-know/

Who wants to be photographing their meter at that time on New Year's Eve, even if they can hold the camera straight  ... ?

Scot_39

If EOn Next - my supplier are taking that 1/2 hourly data and in any way using it in a way identifiable to me as an individual - which I suspect include using it to bill me if then keep it - they could very likely to be in breach of data protection for smart meters - if not GDPR itself then quite possibly DAPF (data access and privacy framework) - specifically for smart meters.

As I have deliberately not given EOn permission to access it - only the daily readings.

And I used to - so probably still have - a legal right to opt out of that.

There was initially even an option to only allow them the mandatory monthly data - as I say opting out of daily possible - and you still I believe have to actively opt in to 1/2 hourly data

As some have found recently when wanting to take part in energy saving rebate schemes but couldn't as some suppliers said needed a month of full 48 hour history before signing up for a savings day / event.