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.

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.