Martin Lewis Explains What To Do If You Can't Submit Your Meter Reading

Martin Lewis has explained what to do if you are unable to submit your meter reading ahead of the April price hike.

Millions of people across the country have been struggling to register readings with their energy suppliers today (31 March).

Due to what appears to be unprecedented demand, suppliers' websites have crashed, leaving customers locked out.

Many have taken to social media to try and get answers.

But in a video posted to Twitter, Martin has urged people to stay calm and explained what steps they can take to make sure they won't be stung at a later date.

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Explaining why it's important for some customers to get their readings in now, he says: "If you do not do a meter reading, and you're on that price cap, let's say you did your last meter reading a month ago, and the next one is in a month's time, well, the company will estimate how much was at the cheap rate and how much was at the expensive rate."

He goes on: "So who needs to do it? Well, those who were on price cap tariffs, who don't have smart meters, or prepayment meters, so that means if you're on a fixed tariff, you don't need to do this because there's no change happening to you at the moment.

"If you're not on a price cap, including anybody in Northern Ireland, you don't need to do this, because this isn't a crucial day for you, there isn't a rise happening tomorrow.

"If you are on a smart meter a prepayment meter well, you don't give meter readings, smart meters do it automatically for you and prepayment meters you top up."

However, even for those who don't need to submit anything right now, Martin says it could be useful to take a photo of your meter reading and keep it.

He also suggests sending it to yourself in an email, so that it is time stamped, as it might come in handy in the event a dispute.

But what should you do if your provider's site has crashed and you can't send a reading?

Well, again, try not to worry.

The Money Saving Expert says: "Look, this is just a way of protecting yourself from them trying to overestimate your usage at the higher rate.

"Just doing it around now reduces the wriggle room for a problem with estimates, so a day or two out isn't the biggest panic in the world.

"Of course, the perfect time to do it is 11:59pm tonight, but if you don't get that, if you forget or there's something wrong with the firm, don't panic, just make sure you've done one either in the last few days or in the next few days and you should be pretty close to being charged the right amount."

But if you're really keen to get a reading to them, give your supplier a call or take a photo and send it to them over email.