If your bill says "E" next to a reading, your supplier guessed. Send a reading with a dated photo, and you can ask for the bill to be corrected.
Checked 7 October 2026Written by the MyBillChecker team
What to do
Take a photo of your meter with the date visible (your phone usually records it).
Send the reading through your account or app and ask for a corrected bill.
Keep sending readings every month or quarter so estimates don't build up.
If you have a smart meter and still get estimates, it may have stopped sending readings. Report it: your supplier must give you a plan to fix it within 5 working days or pay you £40.
Your protection from catch-up bills
If your supplier under-estimated for a long time and then sends a big catch-up bill, it usually can't charge for energy used more than 12 months ago, unless you stopped it getting readings. See back-billing.
Frequently asked questions
My reading is lower than the estimate. Will I get money back?
Your account will be corrected, usually as a credit. You can ask for credit to be refunded.
What if my supplier rejects my reading?
Send the dated photo and ask why. Keep it as evidence.
