Lockdown has forced a lot of us out of our comfort zones as well as adjust how and where we work. We have been fortunate enough to get our equipment home and continue with business as usual. However, it has not necessarily been the same for energy suppliers.

Reduced customer service

Most energy suppliers have advised that due to reduced staff they are prioritising emergencies and vulnerable customers. Chances are, getting through to your supplier if you don’t fall into these categories isn’t easy right now and I’m sure you’d agree that your time would be better spent not sitting on hold. To help with this we have put together some alternative methods for contacting the main suppliers about common things like meter readings.

Meter readings

Giving regular readings is a must but is especially important if COVID-19 has affected your production levels. The last thing you want is either a big bill when you’re not consuming or to pay too little now and be stung with a large bill further down the line because you’ve upped your usage. Here are some alternative methods for calling in a meter reading:

I’ve been affected financially by lockdown and can’t afford my bills, what can I do?

Firstly, we’re sorry to hear that COVID-19 is negatively affecting your business. You can check the NFU’s latest updates and advice here. There are some steps you can take to help you keep your bills down.

• Keep your bills accurate If you have ceased or significantly reduced production it is important that you give your supplier meter readings more regularly to ensure they don’t overestimate your usage, leading to higher bills.
• Reduce your usage turn off any lights and non-essential equipment you have running or switch to renewable generation if you have it, this will help to reduce your bills.
• Payment plans and breaks Many suppliers understand the difficulties many businesses are having and are offering payment plans and even payment breaks for businesses struggling the make ends meet.  We’ve included some useful contact details below if you’re not having any luck with your usual customer service numbers.

If you have any questions give me a call on 024 7669 8885.