If you feel like you've barely caught your breath from the last rise, brace yourself. From 1 October the energy price cap is going up by 2%. That pushes the typical dual-fuel household bill to about £1,755 a year.
It is not the eye-watering jump we saw in 2022, but when food, fuel and mortgages already feel relentless, any rise is a pain.
So why is this happening? The price cap, set by Ofgem, tracks wholesale gas and electricity costs. Even though global energy prices have eased since Russia invaded the Ukraine, they are still higher than before. Add in network and supplier costs, and up the cap goes.
What it means for you
If you are on a standard variable tariff, which most people are, you will see this rise directly. Fixed tariffs may shield you a bit, depending on your deal.
A £35 rise across the year does not sound like much, but with the average family already feeling squeezed, it is another bill edging higher when wages do not stretch as far.
What you can do about it
You cannot control the cap, but you can control your usage and how efficient your home is. Small changes add up:
Check your EPC: Your Energy Performance Certificate shows how efficient your home is and what upgrades could save you money. Insulation, for instance, can save hundreds a year in a draughty house.
Draught-proofing and insulation: Simple fixes like sealing doors, insulating the loft, or adding thicker curtains make a noticeable difference.
Smart controls: If you have central heating, a smart thermostat can cut waste. No more heating an empty house.
Tariff shopping: Fixed deals are back. It is worth seeing if one suits you better, especially if you value predictability.
The bigger picture
The good news is that the UK is building more renewable power, with record solar this summer and new “super batteries” in the works. Over time, this should mean more homegrown energy, less reliance on imported gas, and hopefully less volatility. But in the short term, bills will keep moving with the global market.
Final word
Think of this autumn’s rise as a nudge to finally sort those niggling energy fixes at home. Whether it is draught excluders or checking if your loft has enough insulation, small moves make a big dent in energy waste.
Because while we cannot stop bills from creeping up, we can stop energy and money leaking straight out the window.
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