UK households urged to photograph meter before July 1 price cap rise

The UK's energy regulator Ofgem will raise the price cap on 1 July, increasing unit costs for households on standard variable tariffs by roughly 13 %. Energy specialists advise every consumer to take a clear photograph of their meter reading before the change. Justin Nielsen of Wolf River Electric said, "The one thing I would tell every household to do before July 1 is take a clear meter reading and keep a photo of it." The guidance matches Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis, who recommends, "I would still get your phone out and take a picture of your meter today just in case of a future dispute."

The advice targets households without smart meters, those with faulty smart meters, or users who receive estimated bills, as inaccurate estimates could shift cheaper pre‑July usage into the higher‑priced period. Analysts point to rising energy costs, with forecasts that average annual household bills could reach £1,862 and rise by £221 after the cap hike. Aseem Munshi of Updraft warned that many families are already feeling the strain and may resort to credit to cover essential bills. Small habit changes—unplugging idle devices, batch‑cooking, and shortening showers—could save up to £433 a year, helping mitigate the impact of the higher cap.