Does it really make a difference how often you submit meter readings to your energy company?

The only advantage to you is that they and you can keep in touch with your DD, and regular meter readings inform them as to let them or you regulate the correct payments

Energy companies will cut corners and not always instruct meter readings on a regular and repetitive basis, hence the many estimated readings that litter our bills. It's all down to cost and manpower .. sending a man out with a gizmo in his hand is expensive. When my gas and leccy meters were in the integral garage, they always got read, almost to excess. But since the garage was turned into a room and both meters put at the side of the house and at the front, they are seldom read despite being 'super easily got at'.

It's not so much missing a trick but every time I get a bill where an estimated reading is given, I note the correct reading and submit it online. The theory here is that you are never over or undercharged and your historical usage is accurate. I understand that paying by DD covers the fluctuations but there is nothing like making sure your bills do reflect exactly what the meter says.

The alternative is to move away from a regular DD and pay monthly by variable DD for what you use. You can put your own reading in regularly every month. It does mean, however, that you are paying more in the winter and less in the summer. I'm with First Utility and am trying it this way for a year to see which I prefer.

I submitted a meter reading six weeks early (usually I'm asked to send meter readings every three months) . Actually I was away from the house for about two months and because the reading I sent showed a very small change from the last reading I got a credit to my account. This was explained as being the discount they gave for paper less bills. Additionally Scottish Power reduce my monthly direct debit. However, over the year it will not make any difference to the final bill.

I have beome much more aggressive about managing my bills as historically I have had very erroneous charges and could have saved money if I had submtted meter readings. I did not even know how to read my meter until a few months ago,but they don't care and they suit themselves so it's all down to you.

I often phone my phone and electric provider to establish exactly what the charges are and to query and keep them on their toes. It is amazing how often I have discovered they were over charging in that they could have reduced the DD but didn't until I asked.

I send a meter reading online quite regularly in the hope that Eon's usageometer will work properly and show me monthly comparisons between this year and last year. It doesn't work. The only reading that seems to count is the quarterly one they ask for. I get an email asking for a reading, I send it in, 2 days later the guy turns up to read the meter!! Just daft!!

I always check mine regularly. If you are using more than you are paying for you could end up with a huge bill at the end of the year.
Conversely if you are using less you ahould be able to reduce your monthly outgoings so it is well worth keeping these up to date

With the costs so high I like to submit my meter readings inbetween Scottish Power reading the meter that way I can keep an eye on how much extra I need to pay to keep on an even keel with no nasty surprises = Sabre

Submitting reading is a good practice but EDF still formed the habit of mixing it up with estimated readings. When I asked it was mixed up in jargon..which explains one of the reasons for leaving.

So whilst submitting your readings do check your bills properly to ensure you get what you deserve.

Yes I have come to believe it is a positive and worth while thing to do. It keeps you in the know and less passive about things. I changed to a fixed tariff, and vowed i would work to avoid huge surprises. i have an energy meter to help my awareness. i also read the main meter very frequently. I can now submit meter readings online so i do it very often in the hope my bills will reflect true usage. EDF seem quite user friendly online.I have had my original deirect debit reduced due to this. Better in my pocket.

I 'think' that if you're on Direct Debit you save a bit but not sure how much. As far as submitting meter readings I was doing it every week for about six months when I was on Scottish Power to see how it varied. If I used say the pressure washer on the patio I could see how much extra it was costing. I'm now with Eon but haven't been able to check anything yet as they aren't showing readings yet which is a nuisance as thought I'd see how it worked for them.

I submit them every couple of month's then I can see
how much I am using. Scottish Power have been
very good and update my information within a
couple of days. Everything is there to be seen and
if you are lucky an "in credit" notice is there also.

normally my readings are estimated...so I read meters and fone new readings to them...I do this every three months..I pay by direct debit...I am assured I am on lowest charges..I am with Atlantic for gas and electric...gas has increased madly !..I increase my monthly payments each year by £5/month..no other option...if I have any "spare" money I ring supplier and pay another one off sum...to keep my gas balance in black..Atlantic give me a rebate at the end of year equal to 1 months charges for gas/electric..their bills are easy to understand... I expect you can do all this online also ?..but I prefer paper ! you can get an extra 1% off I think, if you do it online..so by checking every 3 months I do not have to worry about totals at 6 months intervals..balances then might be in red..?..hope all this makes sense

We all pay 5% VAT to government on our heating etc..what about mailing Downing Street and suggesting they remove VAT from these services and bung an extra 5% or so on booze..fags ??..good idea ?? other suggestions perhaps please ..