- More than seven million households on standard tariffs should submit a meter reading by the end of the month to benefit from lower energy rates from 1 July[1]
- The difference of just a week’s worth of energy at June rates compared with July is £1.93 per home – a total of £14 million for the UK as a whole[2]
- The average household with typical consumption is expected to spend £63 on energy in July due to lower usage and rates, compared with £113 in June[2]
- With the October price cap predicted to rise as global uncertainty pushes up wholesale prices, households are being urged to get a fixed deal now to protect themselves over the winter
- The cheapest fixed deal on the market offers savings of around £145 compared with the July price cap for the average household[3]
- Uswitch has created a guide on reading your meter and a practical how-to video
More than seven million households need to read their meter by the end of the month to make sure they benefit fully from lower energy rates from 1 July[1], according to research by Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service.
Households on a standard tariff could stand to save even more by switching to a cheap fixed deal now, to protect against potential price rises later this year.
Homes on a standard tariff with average usage are expected to spend £63 on energy in July, compared with £113 in June[2]. The reduction is down to a combination of cheaper rates and lower usage over the summer.
Those on standard tariffs who do not have a smart meter and do not submit meter readings on or around 1 July risk having some of their usage charged under the older, more expensive June rates.
The difference between a week’s worth of energy at June’s rates compared to July’s is £1.93 for the average household. Therefore, if those seven million households forget to read their meter by July 1, and are incorrectly charged by just a week's worth of energy, they could risk overpaying by £14 million in total[2].
Households are being urged to get a fixed deal while prices are still competitive. Right now, there are 10 fixed deals available which are cheaper than the July price cap[3]. The cheapest fixed deal on the market offers savings of around £145 compared with the July price cap for the average household[4].
With conflict in the Middle East causing instability and uncertainty in wholesale energy prices, industry experts are expecting the October price cap to increase[5]. This means that households could face an energy price hike as colder autumn weather arrives.
A fifth (20%) of households without smart meters haven’t submitted their meter readings in the last three months, and 6% haven’t for a whole year[6]. Not submitting meter readings means suppliers base bills on estimated usage — meaning some households could be overpaying, and others may not be paying enough.
A third (33%) of those who have not submitted their readings in the last three months say they don’t need to submit reading that often, while one in seven (16%) say they forget to[7].
Uswitch.com is urging households without a working smart meter to submit a meter reading this week and compare energy tariffs to see how much they can save on a fixed deal compared to the July price cap.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “Households should take a moment to read their energy meter this weekend if they want to make the most of lower energy prices from July.
“Customers who don’t have a smart meter should submit their readings before or on Tuesday 1 July, so their supplier has an updated – and accurate – view of their account.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty about global energy costs at the moment, which has led industry experts to predict a rise in energy bills and in the price cap this autumn.
“But households can get ahead of this possible price hike by fixing at cheaper rates now. Currently, there are a range of fixed deals currently available that are around £145 cheaper than the July price cap for the average household.
“If you can switch to a deal cheaper than the July price cap, now is a good time to make the change. We urge customers to run an energy comparison as soon as possible.”
Uswitch’s checklist to keep energy bills as low as possible:
CHECK: Check your meter readings are up to date. If you don’t have a smart meter, submit your latest readings on or around 1 July to ensure you’re charged the correct amount for the gas and electricity you’ve used. You should regularly submit meter readings to avoid over or under paying on your bill. Don’t know how to read your meter? Check out this Uswitch guide.
TRACK: Track your usage. It’s worth monitoring how much energy you’re using by downloading the free Uswitch app. The app connects to your smart meter and offers regular insights into your household energy usage and handy energy-saving tips.
CHANGE: Change your energy tariff. Is it time to switch? Standard energy rates will fall in July but are predicted to rise in October, so now’s a great time to assess your options and lock in lower rates with a fixed deal. There are a number of reasonably priced fixed tariffs on the market right now, so run a comparison at Uswitch to get personalised costs.
Check out the latest energy deals by running a comparison at Uswitch.com.
Notes to editors
Research conducted online by Opinium, 6th to 11th June 2025, among 2,002 UK energy bill-payers, weighted to be nationally representative.
1. Number of non-prepayment meter customers on SVTs = 65% of 28.2 million households = 18.3 million (Ofgem). At the end of 2024, 60% of all domestic meters operated by large energy suppliers were active smart meters (Smart Meter Statistics in Great Britain). 40% of 18.3 million customers = 7.32 million.
2. Usage costs are based on average energy consumption (using TDCVs) in June and July, calculated at current and upcoming energy costs and standing charges. The average household uses 876kWh of gas and 191kWh of electricity in June. At June’s unit rates this equals £61.25 for gas and £51.60 for electricity, and £112.85 in total. In July, the average household uses 219kWh of gas and 191kWh of electricity, costing £13.87 and £49.12 respectively, and £62.99 in total. Energy difference calculation based on 7.32 million people on SVTs paying a difference of £1.93 for the week’s worth of energy because they didn’t submit meter readings. 7.23 million x £12.11 = £88,645,200.
3. Source, Uswitch.com data. Prices correct as of 11:15am on 23 June 2025. Based on suppliers who have updated Uswitch with their rates.
4. Outfox the Market, 2-year Fix'd Dual Jun25 v.0, average annual bill £1,575, fixed for 24 months, exit fees £100 per fuel. Available direct via Outfox the Market. Prices correct as of 4:30pm on 23 June 2025. Based on suppliers who have updated Uswitch with their rates.
5. EDF: Energy price cap predictions
6. Respondents were asked ‘When did you last submit a meter reading to your gas or electricity provider? Please think about the most recent reading you submitted, whether this was gas or electricity.’ 20% said three months or more ago.
7. Respondents were asked ‘Why haven’t you submitted a meter reading in the last three months?’ 33% said ‘I don’t need to submit meter readings that often.’ 16% said ‘I forget to submit readings.’ 11% said ‘It’s too much hassle.’
For more information
Beverley Noble | Energy PR Manager
beverley.noble@rvu.co.uk
Twitter: @UswitchPR
About Uswitch
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles.
More people go to Uswitch to find their energy, broadband and mobile deals than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.