How often should I submit meter readings?

We have not found any rule that requires a business to send readings at a set frequency, but monthly is the simplest way to stop estimates building up. Ofgem's licence guide says suppliers must take all reasonable steps to obtain a reading at least once a year; if you leave it to them, your bills may rest on estimates for months.

A sensible schedule

Moment	Why it matters
Monthly, near your bill date	Keeps bills accurate and spreads cost
Day you move in or out	Sets the start or end of your responsibility. See telling your supplier you are moving
Day a contract starts or ends	Fixes which rates apply to which kWh
Day of a supplier switch	Gives opening and closing figures to both suppliers
After an estimated bill	Lets you request a correction

Which meters need readings?

• Traditional (dial or digital) meters: you or the supplier read them. Submit regularly.
• Smart or advanced meters: readings are sent remotely. Check bills show actual, not estimated, readings. See business smart meters.
• Half-hourly meters: usage is recorded every 30 minutes and settled that way. See half-hourly meters explained.

How to read and submit

1. Take a photo showing the display and the date.
2. Write down every register for multi-rate electricity meters (for example day and night).
3. For gas, ignore red digits or those after a decimal point.
4. Submit by online account, app or phone with your account number or meter point reference. Keep the confirmation.

Choose a fixed day, like the first Monday of the month, and put it in the shop or office diary. Five minutes beats a disputed bill.

Worked example

You submit electricity readings of 41,200 kWh on 1 October and 42,050 kWh on 1 November. Usage is 42,050 − 41,200 = 850 kWh. At an example 27p per kWh that is 850 × £0.27 = £229.50 for the energy, before standing charge and tax. If no reading had been sent and the supplier estimated 1,000 kWh, you would have paid £270 instead.

Check your reading was used

On the next bill, find the reading and make sure it is marked actual. If not, resubmit and ask the supplier to explain. More in our submission guide.

Common mistakes

• Reading the wrong register on a day and night meter.
• Including red digits or decimals on a gas meter.
• Forgetting the date, so the supplier applies the reading to the wrong day.
• Sending a reading only after a bill arrives, when the estimate is already issued.

If you run several premises, give each its own reminder and keep photos in dated folders.

Multi-site and seasonal businesses

If you close for part of the year, such as a holiday let or a seaside kiosk, send a reading on the day you shut and the day you reopen. That shows the supplier your actual use rather than letting it estimate a full season. Standing charges still apply while closed; see standing charges when closed.

Next steps

If you've got a backlog of estimates, read how to correct an estimated bill.