National Meter Reading Day: When’s the Best Time to Submit Your Meter Reading?
The next National Meter Read Day is 1 April 2026:
Our most recent Meter Read Day was 1 January 2026. This was when Ofgem's energy price cap changed to £1,758 between 1 January and 31 March 2026, per year for a typical household who use electricity and gas and pay by Direct Debit.
National Meter Read Day is when energy companies collect meter readings from some of their customers. It falls on the day there's a change to gas and electricity unit rates for variable energy tariffs.
When is National Meter Read Day?
At the moment, National Meter Read Day is every three months when Ofgem reviews the price cap. This is the amount you pay for energy if you’re on a standard variable tariff and it's set by the ‘price cap’ from Ofgem, the energy industry regulator. The dates that Ofgem's capped prices may change from are: 1 January; 1 April; 1 July and 1 October.
Why submitting a meter reading before the price cap change could save you money
As we step into spring, it’s a good time to check your energy usage. If you’re on a variable tariff, make sure to submit your meter reading on or around 1 April. Accurate readings mean the energy you’ve used before the price change is billed at the current rate - not the next one from 1 April. Some people prefer to submit their reading the day before the change for extra peace of mind.
If you’re on a fixed tariff, you can relax - this price cap increase won’t affect you, so there’s no need to submit a reading.
Who needs to submit for National Meter Read Day?
Only customers on variable tariffs without a working smart meter will be asked to submit a reading for Meter Reading Day.
You will only be asked to submit a meter reading if needed, via email, text, or post based on your preferences.
Who doesn't need to submit a meter reading?
Unless you're requested to, you don't need to submit a meter reading if:
- You're on a fixed-rate energy tariff, as your unit rates are fixed and won't change in line with Ofgem's price cap.
- You have a smart meter. Your smart meter sends us meter readings automatically. There's no need to submit manual readings if it's functioning correctly. You can check your smart meter submission history in MyAccount.
- You have a prepayment meter. Likewise, if you use a pre-payment meter or Pay as You Go on your Smart Meter, you pay for the energy you use upfront, so there's no need to submit a meter reading.
How does the price cap affect energy bills?
If Ofgem raises the capped price of standard variable energy, then your standard variable tariff will also go up, however, if they lower the capped price, then the amount you pay per unit of energy will also go down. Don't forget, how much energy you choose to use in your home, will affect how large your bill is.
2025 to 2026 annual cap prices for typical dual-fuel household paying by Direct Debit:
| 1 January to 31 March 2026 | £1,758 |
| 1 October to 31 December 2025 | £1,755 |
| 1 July to 30 September 2025 | £1,720 |
| 1 April to 30 June 2025 | £1,849 |
| 1 January to 31 March 2025 | £1,738 |
When is Ofgem's next price cap change?
The next price cap change will be 1 April 2026. Ofgem's last cap price change was 1 January 2026.
This is what Ofgem have worked out the national average price paid by a typical domestic customer, paying by Direct Debit, pays per year(1).
This means, if you're on a variable tariff it may be a good time to switch to a fixed price tariff before energy prices, and energy use, rises during the colder, winter months. View how our tariffs compare to Ofgem's price cap.
Use our price cap predictions to take the mystery out of future energy costs!
Keep up to date with changing energy prices by using our price cap forecasts to understand if you should stay on a variable tariff that tracks the cap, or switch to a fixed tariff. View our industry-respected price cap predictions to help decide if you need to get a new tariff quote.
Before a change in prices, collecting meter readings from customers helps make sure bills are accurate. This prevents anyone from paying more than they should.
When should you submit a meter reading?
National Meter Read Day isn't the only time we ask some customers to submit meter readings. Depending on how you pay, we'll ask for meter readings at different points throughout the year, alongside National Meter Read Day. Even if you've recently given a meter reading - for example, you'd just moved home, it's still wise to submit a new meter reading.
What's the difference between a smart meter and other meters, when it comes to taking a meter reading?
Smart meters save you having to manually submit readings and help make sure your energy bills are more accurate; traditional meters need you to take action, especially around price cap changes.
| Smart meters | Traditional meters (standard or digital) |
| Automatic readings: Smart meters send your energy usage data directly to your energy supplier, so you don’t need to submit readings | Manual readings needed: You need to physically check the meter and submit the reading to your supplier, especially before price change |
| Real-time tracking: Smart meters give near real-time information on your energy use, often through an in-home display, so you can more easily track your energy use and how much you're spending during different times of the day | Risk of estimated bills: If you don’t submit readings, your supplier may estimate your energy use, which can lead to over- or under-charging |
| Accuracy: Because readings are sent automatically, your bills are based on actual usage rather than estimates | Less visibility: You don’t get instant feedback on your energy use |
Not on a smart meter and want accurate bills?
If you've not got a smart meter, unless you pay by prepayment, you'll need to give us monthly meter reads. This makes sure you're only paying for the electricity you use.
Please only get a meter reading if it's safe and practical for you to do so. If you can't safely get a read, please get in touch and don't try to get a read from your meter.
How do you read your meter and submit a reading?
It's quick and easy to submit a meter reading and shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes:
- Read your meter from left to right, including any zeros you see at the start
- If you see any numbers in red or any numbers after a decimal point, just ignore them
- Once you've taken your meter readings, you can submit them online - either by logging into MyAccount on the web or in the EDF app
- You'll see your meter reading history updated in MyAccount within a few days after you've given your reads.
If you're unsure about taking readings, check our guide on how to read your meter depending on your meter type.
What happens if I forget to take a read?
Don't worry if you send your meter read in a little late. However If you submit a meter reading after your energy supplier's deadline, an estimate will be used to work out how much you owe and you may be overcharged for your energy use.
Does taking a meter reading affect my Direct Debit?
No, taking a meter reading doesn’t change the amount or timing of your Direct Debit, but it can later in the year affect the amount you get charged for your Direct Debit to keep your account on track. Here’s how meter reads and Direct Debits work together:
- Your Direct Debit will usually be based on an estimated monthly amount - this is then spread across the year, and isn't your actual usage each month
- When you submit a meter reading, your supplier updates your account balance based on real usage
- If you’ve been paying too much or too little, your energy supplier may tweak your future Direct Debit amount you pay accordingly - but they will let you know
Smart meters help you save energy
Not got a smart meter yet? Now's a great time to change that, plus you won't have to take meter readings as the meter submits them for you! With a smart meter, access exclusive tariffs, track your energy use and save money along the way!
Is it better to fix your energy?
Some people prefer fixed tariffs as:
- Your energy unit rate stays constant for the length of your contract
- If energy prices increase, your unit price doesn’t change
- Great for budgeting, as you’ll always know your energy unit price
You may find our blog a handy read: should I fix my energy tariff?
See if you can save by getting a quote!
National Meter Read Day happens on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July, and 1 October when Ofgem updates the energy price cap. If you're on a variable tariff without a smart meter, submitting a meter reading around these dates makes sure you'll have an accurate bill and could save you money. Smart meter users, fixed tariff customers, and those on prepayment plans usually don’t need to submit readings.
How to compare gas and electricity deals
Searching for the best energy deal can feel a little overwhelming. Don't worry, we outline everything to consider when looking for your next energy deal.
Buying your first home?
Setting up gas and electricity in your new home is one of the first things to consider - don't worry, we've got you covered with everything you need to know about energy as a first-time home buyer.
Fixed price energy tariffs
Find out more about fixed tariffs - how they work, their benefits and whether a fixed tariff is best for your home.
Related articles
All you need to know about how to switch energy suppliers
Air source heat pumps vs gas boilers - which is best for your home
