Information for customers that have just recently had a Pre Payment / Pay As You Go meter installed or have moved into a property with this type of meter.
Pay As You Go (also known as Prepayment) simply means paying for your energy as you use it. We currently have Traditional and Smart Pay As You Go meters operating in customer’s properties and the information below provides details on how to operate these meters.
Contents
Traditional Pay As You Go meters (Top ups made using a key/card)
How do I top up?
You can take your key or card to any Post Office, PayPoint or Payzone outlet to top up your meter with credit.
Then, simply buy enough credit (i.e. top up) to keep your meter topped up and to cover any debt recovery rates set on your meter.
Please keep the receipt as proof of purchase to confirm your transaction has been successful.
You can top up from as little as £1 for gas and electricity up to a maximum of £99 per transaction per fuel if you are topping up at a Payzone or Post Office. If you are using a Pay Point, the maximum top is £75 per transaction.
Once you've topped up, simply insert your key or card into the meter and the credit will transfer over. You'll need to top up again when your credit starts to run low.
What happens if I don't top up?
Your meter has £10 emergency credit built in. This is to help keep your energy supply on until you are able to top up or this credit runs out. Once you run out of emergency credit, your supply may be temporarily disconnected until you top up your meter.
Emergency credit has to be repaid - To return the meter to normal after using emergency credit, you must repay any amount of emergency credit used plus standing charges and any payments you are making towards a debt (if applicable). It's important to also top up enough credit to cover the cost of the energy you will use.
If you run out of credit during periods when it may be difficult to top up, your electricity meter's friendly non-disconnect period, which is a safety function to ensure your energy supply won't turn off, will be activated. This lasts from 6pm - 11am Monday to Saturday and all-day Sunday and bank holidays, providing there was credit at the start of the period. Again, you'll need to pay any credit you use over this period the next time you top up.
Please note gas pay as you go meters do not have the friendly non-disconnect function and once you run out of credit, the supply will turn off.
Smart Pay As You Go meters (Top ups made via the App or barcode)
How do I top up?
You can download the ScottishPower App quickly and easily from the App Store or Google Play. If you already have an online account, you can sign straight into the app. If not, simply register for an account on the home screen of the app.
Once you’re logged in, select the ‘Top Up’ option on the home screen. You can choose between gas and electricity and decide how much you want to top up – the minimum amount is £1. The credit will then be applied to your meter.
How do I top up if I do not have the app?
You can still top up at your local Post Office, PayPoint or Payzone outlet using your unique barcode , which can be found in the app and in your welcome letter sent when your meter was installed or changed to Pay As You Go mode.
How will I know when to top up?
Your In-Home Display will alert you when your meter credit falls below £1. It will make a sound and the screen will flash. Details on how to check your meter balance and the alerts can be found here
If your credit falls below £1, your In-Home Display will indicate that you can access emergency credit
What happens if I don’t top up?
Your meter has £10 emergency credit built in. This is to help keep your energy supply on until you are able to top up or this credit runs out. Once you run out of emergency credit, your supply may be temporarily disconnected until you top up your meter.
Emergency credit has to be repaid - To return the meter to normal after using emergency credit, you must repay any amount of emergency credit used plus standing charges and any payments you are making towards a debt (if applicable). It's important to also top up enough credit to cover the cost of the energy you will use.
If you run out of credit during periods when it may be difficult to top up, the meter's friendly non-disconnect period, which is a safety function to ensure your energy supply won't turn off, will be activated. This lasts from 6pm - 11am Monday to Saturday and all-day Sunday and bank holidays, providing there was credit at the start of the period. Again, you'll need to pay any credit you use over this period the next time you top up.
Last updated: 22 December 2023