Smart meter warning issued over energy bill changes from April 1 | Personal Finance | Finance
Households are being urged to submit an accurate meter reading ahead of energy bill changes this April. Energy bills are set to drop by £117 for a typical household from April 1, 2026, according to Ofgem, marking a 7% that will save families around £10 a month. The price cap will fall to £1,641 a year for dual-fuel customers paying by Direct Debit, making bills 11% or £208 lower than the same period in 2025. The reduction comes after a difficult year for households. Between April and June 2025, the price cap rose to £1,849 a year, an increase that affected around 11 million customers on default tariffs. That rise was driven by an 11% jump in wholesale energy costs, adding £86 to the average bill.
This comes as over nine million UK households on standard variable tariffs without smart meters are being urged to submit meter readings before April 1 to avoid being overcharged, according Uswitch.
Home energy expert Shay Ramani and spokesperson for Free Price Compare explained: “Many households don’t realise that failing to submit an accurate meter reading before the price cap changes can result in estimated bills. Your supplier may assume you used more energy during the higher-rate period than you actually did, meaning you could end up paying over the odds even as prices fall.”
Households that don’t submit readings may be charged at estimated usage rates, potentially overpaying during the transition period, according to Uswitch and Money Saving Expert. Energy suppliers use estimated readings when actual meter data isn’t available, which can result in bills that don’t reflect genuine usage patterns. This becomes particularly problematic during price cap changes, when the difference between old and new rates is significant.
National Meter Read Day falls on April 1 each year, timed to coincide with Ofgem’s biannual price cap updates. Energy companies including EDF Energy and comparison sites like Uswitch have been urging customers to submit readings to ensure accurate billing. The process takes just a few minutes and can be done through supplier apps, online accounts, or by phone.
To avoid overcharging, households should locate their gas and electricity meters, note down the numbers on the display, and submit them to their energy supplier before midnight on March 31. Most suppliers accept readings through their websites, mobile apps, or customer service phone lines. Customers should keep a record of the reading and submission confirmation in case of billing disputes.
The April 2026 price drop is partly explained by changes to how environmental and social schemes are funded. The UK government announced that two such programmes will either end or be funded through general taxation from April 2026, saving customers an average of £150. A further £38 reduction comes from falling global wholesale energy prices, according to Ofgem data.
Under the new cap, electricity will cost 24.67 pence per kilowatt hour for customers on standard variable tariffs paying by Direct Debit, with a daily standing charge of 57.21 pence. Gas will be charged at 5.74 pence per kilowatt hour, with a standing charge of 29.09 pence per day. These rates represent averages across England, Scotland and Wales, including 5% VAT.
Despite the upcoming reduction, bills have climbed approximately 15% since September 2024, leaving many households struggling. Energy suppliers provided around £500 million in support over the winter months, but National Energy Action estimates that around six million households remain in fuel poverty.
Shay Ramani, a spokesperson from Free Price Compare, the UK’s home energy experts, said: “While the April 2026 reduction offers welcome relief, households should remember that bills remain significantly higher than pre-crisis levels.
“The £117 saving works out at just over £10 a month, which barely scratches the surface for the estimated six million households still in fuel poverty. Families should use this window to review their energy usage, consider switching tariffs if better deals emerge, and ensure they’re claiming all available support.”
Households should check whether they qualify for schemes such as the Warm Home Discount, which provides £150 off winter energy bills for eligible low-income customers. The government’s Help for Households website lists all available support, including grants for energy efficiency improvements. With the price cap reviewed every three months, families are advised to monitor their usage and shop around for fixed-rate deals if wholesale prices continue to fall.
