![\"BBC](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/1cfd\/live\/75147c00-324e-11f0-9f11-ad778c3a662b.jpg.webp\")
BBC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\nGas and electricity prices are expected to rise slightly during the autumn and winter months, after a new energy price cap takes effect on 1 October.<\/p>\n
The increase comes after a fall at the start of July, but there are concerns that bills remain unaffordable for some.<\/p>\n
The energy price cap sets the maximum amount customers can be charged for each unit of energy, but actual bills depend on how much gas and electricity you use.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
What is the energy price cap and how is it changing?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\nThe energy price cap covers around 21 million households in England, Wales and Scotland and is set every three months<\/a> by Ofgem.<\/p>\nIt fixes the maximum price that can be charged for each unit of energy on a standard – or default – variable tariff for a typical dual-fuel household which pays by direct debit.<\/p>\n
Since July, this has meant the annual bill for a dual-fuel direct debit household using a typical amount of energy has been \u00a31,720 a year, down \u00a3129 a year on the previous cap.<\/p>\n
Between 1 July and 30 September 2025, gas prices are capped at 6.33p per kilowatt hour (kWh) and electricity at 25.73p per kWh<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/static.files.bbci.co.uk\/bbcdotcom\/web\/20250814-092707-b0ec5bc3fc-web-2.27.1-1\/grey-placeholder.png\")
![\"A](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/849f\/live\/6aefbda0-5659-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.png.webp\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\nThose who pay their bills every three months by cash or cheque pay more, but those on prepayment meters pay a little less.<\/p>\n
The cap does not apply in Northern Ireland, which has its own energy market.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
What is a typical household?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\nYour energy bill depends on the overall amount of gas and electricity you use, and how you pay for it.<\/p>\n
The type of property you live in, how energy efficient it is, how many people live there and the weather all make a difference.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"Graphic](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/249b\/live\/a45e55f0-37a6-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.png.webp\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\nThe Ofgem cap is based on a “typical household” using 11,500 kWh of gas and 2,700 kWh of electricity a year with a single bill for gas and electricity, settled by direct debit.<\/p>\n
The vast majority of people pay their bill this way to help spread payments across the year. Those who pay every three months by cash or cheque are charged more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Should I take a meter reading when the energy cap changes?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\nSubmitting a meter reading when the cap changes means you are not charged for estimated usage at the wrong rate.<\/p>\n
This is especially important when prices go up.<\/p>\n
Customers with working smart meters<\/a> do not need to submit a reading as their bill is calculated automatically.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nWhat is happening to prepayment customers?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\nAbout four million households had prepayment meters in January 2025, according to Ofgem.<\/p>\n
Since 1 July, these customers have been paying slightly less than those on direct debit, with a typical annual bill of \u00a31,672.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"Getty](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/c852\/live\/6183d730-3253-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.png.webp\")
Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\nMany pre-payment meters have been in place for years, but some were installed more recently after customers struggled to pay higher bills.<\/p>\n
Rules introduced in November 2023<\/a> mean suppliers must give customers more opportunity to clear their debts before switching them to a meter. They cannot be installed at all in certain households.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nCan I fix my energy prices?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\nFixed-price deals are not affected by the energy price cap, which changes every three months and can rise and fall. <\/p>\n
They offer certainty for a set period – often a year, or longer – but if energy prices drop when you are on the deal, you could be stuck at a higher price. You may also have to pay a penalty to leave a fixed deal early if you change your mind. <\/p>\n
Ofgem, the energy regulator, says customers who want the security of knowing what their bill will be should consider moving to a fixed deal. However, it says they should make sure they understand all the costs.<\/p>\n
Martin Lewis, founder of Money Saving Expert, recommends checking whole-of-market energy price comparison sites to help find the best deal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
What are standing charges and how are they changing?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What help can I get with energy bills?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\nThe Household Support Fund<\/a>, which was introduced in September 2021 to help vulnerable customers, has been extended until March 2026.<\/p>\nThe Warm Home Discount scheme<\/a> is also being overhauled. From winter 2025, anyone on means-tested benefits will automa<\/a>tically see \u00a3150 taken off their bills<\/a>, no matter what size of property they live in.<\/p>\n
The energy price cap covers around 21 million households in England, Wales and Scotland and is set every three months<\/a> by Ofgem.<\/p>\n It fixes the maximum price that can be charged for each unit of energy on a standard – or default – variable tariff for a typical dual-fuel household which pays by direct debit.<\/p>\n Since July, this has meant the annual bill for a dual-fuel direct debit household using a typical amount of energy has been \u00a31,720 a year, down \u00a3129 a year on the previous cap.<\/p>\n Between 1 July and 30 September 2025, gas prices are capped at 6.33p per kilowatt hour (kWh) and electricity at 25.73p per kWh<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Those who pay their bills every three months by cash or cheque pay more, but those on prepayment meters pay a little less.<\/p>\n The cap does not apply in Northern Ireland, which has its own energy market.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Your energy bill depends on the overall amount of gas and electricity you use, and how you pay for it.<\/p>\n The type of property you live in, how energy efficient it is, how many people live there and the weather all make a difference.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Ofgem cap is based on a “typical household” using 11,500 kWh of gas and 2,700 kWh of electricity a year with a single bill for gas and electricity, settled by direct debit.<\/p>\n The vast majority of people pay their bill this way to help spread payments across the year. Those who pay every three months by cash or cheque are charged more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Submitting a meter reading when the cap changes means you are not charged for estimated usage at the wrong rate.<\/p>\n This is especially important when prices go up.<\/p>\n Customers with working smart meters<\/a> do not need to submit a reading as their bill is calculated automatically.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n About four million households had prepayment meters in January 2025, according to Ofgem.<\/p>\n Since 1 July, these customers have been paying slightly less than those on direct debit, with a typical annual bill of \u00a31,672.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Many pre-payment meters have been in place for years, but some were installed more recently after customers struggled to pay higher bills.<\/p>\n Rules introduced in November 2023<\/a> mean suppliers must give customers more opportunity to clear their debts before switching them to a meter. They cannot be installed at all in certain households.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Fixed-price deals are not affected by the energy price cap, which changes every three months and can rise and fall. <\/p>\n They offer certainty for a set period – often a year, or longer – but if energy prices drop when you are on the deal, you could be stuck at a higher price. You may also have to pay a penalty to leave a fixed deal early if you change your mind. <\/p>\n Ofgem, the energy regulator, says customers who want the security of knowing what their bill will be should consider moving to a fixed deal. However, it says they should make sure they understand all the costs.<\/p>\n Martin Lewis, founder of Money Saving Expert, recommends checking whole-of-market energy price comparison sites to help find the best deal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Household Support Fund<\/a>, which was introduced in September 2021 to help vulnerable customers, has been extended until March 2026.<\/p>\n The Warm Home Discount scheme<\/a> is also being overhauled. From winter 2025, anyone on means-tested benefits will automa<\/a>tically see \u00a3150 taken off their bills<\/a>, no matter what size of property they live in.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\nWhat is a typical household?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\nShould I take a meter reading when the energy cap changes?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What is happening to prepayment customers?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\nCan I fix my energy prices?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What are standing charges and how are they changing?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What help can I get with energy bills?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n