Prepayment Meter Users: Top Up Now, Save Later

• Regularly topping up your prepayment meter, particularly during the summer, helps you prevent unexpected shortages and manage your charges.
• Around 4.4 million UK households use prepayment electricity meters, benefiting from controlled energy budgeting – but it takes a bit of management to get this right.
• Setting yourself reminders and understanding how your meter works can save money and reduce stress. Book a LEAP call for energy advice.

Prepayment meters require you to pay for energy in advance, which gives you a lot of control over energy expenses. However, as this payment method depends on regular top-ups, forgetting to manage the process can lead to unwelcome disruptions, especially during colder months. 

If you are one of the millions using prepayment meters, good management is key. Let's explore why topping up regularly, especially during the warmer summer months, can be the best strategy.

Why you need to remember to top up

Forgetting to top up your prepayment meter can lead to running out of credit.This could mean leaving your home without heating or hot water until you add more funds, which can be a real problem if it happens unexpectedly. Also, prepayment meters take a daily standing charge, regardless of use. If you're not careful, you might find your meter balance in the red without any energy being used, which could lead to debt.

How popular are prepayment meters?

Around 4.4 million households in the UK rely on prepayment meters for electricity and 3.4 million for gas. For many, these meters are a fantastic budgeting tool, ensuring there are no surprise bills since you only use what you’ve paid for. 

However, it's important to make sure you top up your meter regularly, even during periods when energy use is lower, like in the summer months.

Top Tips for Prepayment Meter Users

Remember the Standing Charge During Summer: 

Use the warmer months to gradually build up credit, learn more about being in credit. Though it might not seem necessary when your heating isn’t on, especially when you go on holiday, daily standing charges do still apply. Regular top-ups prevent your credit from dipping into debt, giving you a smoother transition into the winter months.

Set Up Alerts and Reminders:

Create calendar reminders for your top-ups. Being proactive like this means you don't forget to add credit, helping you avoid emergency topping up at inconvenient times.

Monitor Your Energy Use:

Think about when you're using the most energy. Is it during the evening when the heating is turned up? Do appliances and devices continue working through the night, or while you’re away? Knowing this can help you manage and reduce unnecessary energy use, keeping costs down.

Get into Energy-Efficient Habits: 

Investing in energy-saving appliances, insulating your home and fixing draughts can stretch your credit further, so you benefit from better energy use and a healthier living environment.

Understand Your Meter: 

Familiarise yourself with how your meter operates, what charges are applied and when. Knowing this lets you manage your energy use and budget effectively.

Seek Financial Support: 

If finances are tight, remember that help is available. Many energy suppliers offer emergency credit options. Local grants and government programs are also there to assist.