More than 10 million homes are being warned to act this weekend, or risk overpaying on their energy bills.
Households should send energy meter readings to their supplier this weekend ahead of a change to the Ofgem Energy Price Cap.
The average household energy bill is set to fall to its lowest point in two years from April 1, when the cap will drop by 12.3 per cent.
As a result, from Monday the average household in England, Wales and Scotland will pay £1,690 a year for their energy, a reduction of £238 from the previous price cap.
The energy price cap sets a maximum price that energy suppliers can charge consumers for each kilowatt hour (kWh) of energy they use. How much individual households pay depends on how much energy they use.
The average household on a standard variable tariff (SVT) is expected to spend £127 on energy in April, compared with £205 in March, due to a combination of cheaper rates and lower usage as the weather warms up.
Those on SVTs who do not have a smart meter and do not submit meter readings on or around April 1 risk having some of their usage after that date charged at the previous, more expensive rates.
The difference between a week’s worth of energy at the old rates compared with a week in April was £4.65 for the average household, Uswitch warned.
Nearly a fifth of households who do not have a smart meter (18%) have not submitted their meter readings in the last three months, and 4% have not done so for a whole year, a survey for the comparison site found.
Suppliers who have not received meter readings base their bills on estimated usage, meaning households could be overpaying, while others may not be paying enough.
Ben Gallizzi, energy spokesman at Uswitch.com, said: “We urge any households without a smart meter to submit their meter readings this bank holiday weekend, so their supplier has an updated and accurate view of your account on or around April 1.
“This is when the next energy price cap comes into effect, which will see the rates that households on standard variable tariffs pay for their energy fall for April, May and June.
“If you delay submitting your readings, some of your energy usage could end up being charged under the higher rates we’re currently facing.
“All households without a smart meter should ideally submit a meter reading every month to improve the accuracy of their bills.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here