More than four million households face an urgent energy bill task before prices rise next week.
Households without smart meters have been urged to submit a meter reading by Thursday, October 1 to avoid being charged the wrong rates for energy used before the price cap increase.
The warning comes as energy bills are expected to jump sharply for millions of households as the new price cap takes effect.
The typical home is expected to spend £145 on energy in October, compared with £109 in September, according to Uswitch analysis of smart meter data.
That represents an increase of around a third, driven largely by households using more energy as the weather gets colder, alongside higher rates.
The energy price cap will rise by 4% on October 1, increasing from £1,663 to £1,723 a year for a typical household paying by direct debit.
But millions of households could face even higher bills in the new year.
Uswitch says current forecasts put the January 2027 price cap at £2,117 – around 23% above the October level.
This would mark a third consecutive quarterly increase and the biggest quarterly jump since the energy crisis, according to the comparison site.
Four million homes urged to act
Around 15 million households are currently on standard tariffs, but more than four million of those without smart meters could be at particular risk of incorrect billing if they fail to provide an up-to-date meter reading.
Without a reading, suppliers may have to estimate how much energy has been used.
This means some energy consumed before October 1 could potentially be charged at the newer, higher rates.
Uswitch is urging households without smart meters to submit a reading on or around October 1.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch, said: “Yet another energy price hike will hit millions next week, at the same time many reach for the thermostat – but there are actions households should be taking.
“Submitting a meter reading, if you don’t have a smart meter, before or on Thursday 1 October, will ensure the energy used is charged at the correct rates and not estimated by a supplier.
“That same deadline applies for the 15 million households on standard tariffs wanting to beat the hike entirely by locking in a lower-rate fixed deal before energy costs rocket for winter.
“Predictions currently suggest there will be a third consecutive price hike on the way in January with rates forecast to jump a staggering 23% in the new year.
“Not all energy deals are the same, and prices vary wildly, so households should not simply accept the first deal offered by their current supplier.
“It’s vital to compare, and it takes just minutes to see options tailored to your personal energy usage. The price cap is going up, but your rates don’t have to.”
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Fixed deal could save hundreds
The price rise can potentially be avoided by switching to a fixed tariff, with Uswitch data showing the cheapest deal currently available is an 18-month fix from Fuse Energy.
It costs £1,688 a year for a typical household, which is £35 below the October price cap and £429 below the current January forecast.
Other fixed deals are also available below the predicted January price cap, although households should check the full terms, including exit fees, before switching.
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