Brits urged to take action before October 1 to avoid energy bill hit

More than 7million households risk being hit with higher bills worth £125 million unless they submit a meter reading before October 1. The threat comes because the official energy price cap is due to rise within days bringing higher bills in the run-up to Christmas.

The increase means it is important that people give their supplier a correct meter reading up to the end of September. The rise in tariffs mean a week’s worth of energy at the new higher October rates will typically cost the average household £17.02 more than in September.

Energy comparison service Uswitch says households should check their meters are up-to-date, track their usage, and consider locking in a fixed tariff now – before prices rise further.

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Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch, said: "Households should take a moment to read their energy meter in the coming days to avoid the possibility of being charged at October’s higher energy rates. Customers without a smart meter should submit their readings before or on Wednesday 1 October, so their supplier has an accurate view of their account.”

He added: "Energy bill-payers can get ahead of October’s price hike by fixing at cheaper rates now. There are currently a range of fixed deals around £215 cheaper than the October price cap for the average household. If you can switch to a deal cheaper than the October price cap, now is a good time to make the change.”

Top 5 cheapest fixed energy deals

Supplier Tariff Average Bill Saving

Outfox Energy Outfox the Price Cap 2yr £1,542 £213

Outfox Energy Outfox the Price Cap 12m £1,540 £215

Outfox Energy Outfox the Price Cap 15m £1,544 £211

Fuse Energy Sept 2025 Fixed 13m £1,545 £210

Fuse Energy Sept 2025 Fixed 15m £1,558 £197

* Saving is versus the new October tariff cap

Uswitch warns that with global instability in wholesale energy prices, the October price cap is expected to rise again next year, making the case for locking in a cheap fixed deal even stronger. A fifth of households without smart meters have not submitted a reading in the last three months, while 6 per cent haven’t done so for a whole year – leaving some families overpaying and others underpaying.