How to avoid being overcharged for energy

Query your bill

It’s important to query your bill with your supplier, if you suspect you’ve been overcharged. If an inflated bill is their mistake, you should be able to claim a refund.

Your supplier must respond within a maximum of eight weeks. If they don’t, you can take your complaint to the Energy Ombudsman.

Shop around

Another way to make sure you’re paying a fair price for your energy is to switch energy suppliers regularly. Use Compare the Market to compare the tariffs on offer and see if you could save.

It’s worth considering smaller energy suppliers, who may be able to offer more competitive rates than the ‘Big Six’.

Could my energy meter be faulty?

If you suspect your meter is to blame for your high energy bills, there are a few things you can do:

• Try turning off all appliances for a few hours and watching the meter closely. If the numbers keep rising, there’s a good chance there’s a fault.
• Report it to your energy supplier. They’ll send an expert to test the meter professionally.

How much does it cost to get my meter tested?

Most energy providers will test your meter for free if it’s potentially faulty, but they may charge you for removing and replacing it. You might be able to get around this by upgrading to a smart meter, but before you do read our smart meter guide.

Is it time to switch?

Wondering if you could save money by switching energy suppliers? Give us a few details about yourself and we’ll show you a list of quotes, from a range of UK energy suppliers. So compare now and see if you could save.