It's all Martin Lewis' fault! [grin]

Anticipating this problem I put our readings in yesterday, as I knew I wouldn't be able to spend hours trying if that's how it turns out. One day's use at the increased price was worth it for peace of mind.
To be fair to the companies, many websites go down under extraordinary levels of traffic. I don't think they can just increase and decrease capacity at will. Some people are putting in their readings who are still on fixed price contracts. They don't need to but are being swept along by the Martin Lewis tweets etc.

We have a smart meter so they access data whenever they want. I will be keeping an eye though.

I'm having the same problem with British Gas, Direne3. Yesterday I looked at the site and could get into my account easily, but I put it aside because I was trying to set up an online account with our electricity supplier, or find some other way of sending them a meter reading. That took until today, without success until I put in a complaint, at which point the previously unhelpful webchat managed to take my reading.

We have now taken photos of both meters and I'll keep trying with British Gas until I can no longer summon up the energy. You wouldn't think that we were paying them, rather than the other way round, would you?

I’ve just noted the readings on my smart meter, both usage a price per unit. I had to get it out of the box and plug it in to do so, bit of a faff.

I'll make a note of my smart meter readings later but won't need to send them.
Martin Lewis weekly email highlighted a new bank account with a good interest rate. It is app based and the app crashed yesterday.
He's got a lot to answer for but is an invaluable source of sensible advice.

I've taken photos

I did mine yesterday, no problem.

They’re going to be taking your readings all week they said.

You shouldn’t worry if you’ve got a Smart Meter….but take a photo with time n date just in case.

We had numerous unexplained charges (100s of pounds) on our most recent bill from British Gas when queried they were apparently 'anomalies' that 'likely arent accurate'.

Octopus has a helpful message saying to read your meter Saturday as their prices go up from midnight Saturday! So now I have to go down to the cellar again. They say we have a week to submit them. I love ?Octopus ?

I hope that those on fixed tariffs did not send in meter readings, my sister did as she did not realise that her bill won’t increase until the end of her term, not even the standing charge. It’s only affecting those on the price cap variable rate. I don’t think that was made very clear in all the articles I read so I checked with Ofgen online.

I'm doing nothing - we're on a fixed rate (the cheapest) until July, and Eon told me a month ago that the rate will stay the same until then. I've changed the DD set-up so that we're paying a bit more than we need to at the moment

Teacheranne

I hope that those on fixed tariffs did not send in meter readings, my sister did as she did not realise that her bill won’t increase until the end of her term, not even the standing charge. It’s only affecting those on the price cap variable rate. I don’t think that was made very clear in all the articles I read so I checked with Ofgen online.

I did wonder about that Teacheranne so thank you for saving me the job of finding out. We are fixed until the end of July when undoubtedly we will have a massive increase in our direct debit but at least we have four months at the current rate.

Were with Octopus and Dh got through very quickly today.

I just got through with Octopus too, although I'm wondering whether I should read it again on Saturday as they advised. As it's not going up until midnight Saturday. ?

Been trying all evening to get through to Bulb. Still not got through and as it's now after midnight, guess I won't now.

Fortunately, I used their website to send a message with my meter readings AND photographs of them. And took screenshots of the completed page and the 'Accepted' message that popped up, once it had gone through.

I tried British Gas at 4am, having failed yesterday. The direct adding of meter reading was still not available, but there was an option to enter my name, account number and reading on a message-like page. I assume it will be registered later.

HowVeryDareYou

I'm doing nothing - we're on a fixed rate (the cheapest) until July, and Eon told me a month ago that the rate will stay the same until then. I've changed the DD set-up so that we're paying a bit more than we need to at the moment

You'll need to read it on the day you come off the fixed rate though HVDY

“That’s another fine mess you’ve got us into Martyn!”

I have a fixed tariff until October 2023 with Octopus but today is monthly meter reading day - the website seems to be working fine.

Don't panic if you can't get through, they all allow several days to submit your readings.

Yes i agree with Direne3- Martin Lewis for Prime minister! Or at the very least give him chancellors job! Please!

I presume those with smart meters weren't bothering because Martin Lewis said that only folk without a smart meter who needed to ring with a reading. ?

I still can't log into my Brit Gas account, but the Meter Reading Form is now up and running, so I have just submitted my reading and my account will be updated accordingly.