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Direct debits and online bills

The cheapest way to pay your energy bills is often by monthly direct debit. Many energy suppliers offer better deals for customers who pay this way. Contact your supplier to find out what they offer.

You can also cut down on your energy costs by getting paperless billing. This is called e-billing. Many energy suppliers offer discounts on your bills for this. This is what you can do:

• set up an online account on your supplier’s website
• you’ll get an email, telling you that you have a new bill
• view your bill in your online account
• manage your bills online
• post meter readings online

If you’re not sure how to set up an online account, contact your supplier.

• Direct debits - find out more (money, tax and benefits section)

• Direct debits - find out more (money, tax and benefits section)

Regular meter readings

Why meter readings are important

Gas and electricity suppliers base their bills on estimates. This means they calculate how much energy they think you’ll use, based on the size of your property. Most suppliers calculate their bills every six months. If you use less energy than the estimate, you get a credit. If you use more, you’ll have to pay the difference.

By taking regular meter readings, you’re keeping your supplier up to date on how much energy you actually use. They can use this information to calculate your future bills much better. You’ll avoid paying too much or too little in the first place. This should help you with your financial planning.

Reading your meter regularly also helps you keep track of how much gas or electricity you use. You might want to think about ways to cut down how much energy you use. For example running appliances like your washing machine only when you have enough clothes to fill them up.

When to read your meter

You should get a letter from your energy supplier, asking you to take a meter reading. The letter will explain how to do the reading. If you’re unsure what to do, contact your energy supplier. Some energy suppliers send engineers to take meter readings for you.

It may also be worth asking your supplier about whether they provide ‘smart meters’. This is a new type of meter gives you real-time information of your energy use, details of which are also automatically sent to your supplier. This means inaccurate bills will be a thing of the past!

• How smart meters work - Energy Savings Trust website Opens new window

Compare and switch energy suppliers

There are many energy suppliers on the market. You might want to look into comparing their prices and find a cheaper deal if possible.

Ofgem, an organisation that protects the rights of gas and electricity consumers, says that customers who switch suppliers could make a one-time saving of up to £100.

There are a number of websites that can help. Start with a quick internet search for ‘compare energy prices’ or a similar term.

Cheaper and greener deals

You may be able to get discounts if you get both your gas and electricity from the same supplier. These deals are called ‘dual fuel deals’. Contact your energy supplier to find out if they offer such deals. You might also want to find out about green tariffs. This is energy from renewable sources, eg wind or solar power (energy from the sun).

You might also want to find out about green tariffs. This is energy from renewable sources, eg wind or solar power (energy from the sun).

• Generate your own energy - Energy Savings Trust website Opens new window

Save energy – what you can do at home

Small changes to the way you use your heating or appliances (e.g. television or computer) can make a difference to your energy bills. Most people can save:

• around £50 a year by turning their thermostat down by 1 degree Celsius
• up to £25 a year by only using energy saving light bulbs

More useful links

• Energy grants - Energy Savings Trust website Opens new window