British Gas customers have until July 14 to submit a meter reading, customers will receive text messages reminding them to take one. If they don’t submit meter readings to their energy provider, it will estimate their usage instead – this can lead to overcharging.

Britons are encouraged to take a meter reading as soon as possible to ensure their energy bill is as accurate as possible.

If someone has a smart meter their readings are taken automatically so they don't need to submit them.

If someone has a pre-payment meter, they don't need to provide a meter reading.

Ofgem previously announced that energy costs would fall by around 17 percent from July 1.

The average typical bill would fall to around £2,074 between July and October.

The energy price cap fell from its previous level of £3,280 and will replace the Government’s default energy price guarantee. This limited the average typical household energy bill to around £2,500 a year since October 1, 2022.

Now that Ofgem's energy price cap has fallen below the Government’s default rate, households should submit a meter reading to ensure they do not end up paying a higher rate.

British Gas encouraged customers to take a reading around 30th June so they can bill people as accurately as possible, however, there is still time.

British Gas customers have until July 14 and they can find and complete the form on their website.

When the cost of energy goes up or down, people want to ensure that they’re not being charged the higher tariff for their usage.

How to take a reading on a smart meter

If British Gas fitted one’s Smart Gas meter:

1. The screen will probably be off. Press the red button to wake it up.
2. Once it says Credit On people can press the red button again.
3. The screen will say Meter Index. That's the meter reading.

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Electricity reading smart meter:

If someone’s meter has two barcodes on it, here’s how to take a meter reading:

1. Tap the green A button three or four times to go through the options.
2. Keep scrolling through options until the meter reading display screen shows "Rate 01 Act Imp". This shows your meter reading. If you have a time of use/two-rate tariff, press the button again for "Rate 02 Act Imp" for the second rate reading.
3. If you go too far, keep pressing the button. It'll loop back around.

If the meter has three barcodes on it, here’s how to take a meter reading:

1. Press green A button twice and then hold down to get to menus.
2. Keep scrolling through options until the meter reading display screen shows "Total Act Import". This shows the meter reading. If someone has a time of use/two-rate tariff, press the button again for "Total Act Import 2" for the second-rate reading.
3. If someone goes too far, keep pressing the button. It'll loop back around.

For more information, people can visit their energy supplier's website.