Vitality corporations are urging these not on a wise meter to submit an correct studying instantly.

“If you happen to go away it any later than this, then a few of your December vitality utilization may find yourself being estimated and due to this fact charged below the upper January charges,” mentioned Elise Melville, from worth comparability web site Uswitch.

Whereas the price of every unit of fuel and electrical energy is capped, the overall invoice isn’t. So, a protracted, chilly winter may see greater vitality use and excessive payments.

Consultants say extra important long-term choices to decrease payments embody buying round or decreasing vitality use when attainable.

At The Grange Neighborhood Centre, in Blackpool, consultants are readily available to supply steerage for guests, together with assist employee Shaun Toussaint.

“I might all the time inform folks that so long as they’re competent on-line, to go and see what totally different costs can be found,” he mentioned.

“If you happen to’re not competent on-line they will get on the telephone and ring their current supplier or one other supplier and evaluate costs.”