As of this week (October 1st), the new Energy Price Cap is officially in effect. The average annual bill for a typical dual-fuel household paying by Direct Debit has risen to approximately £1,755. While this rise was widely predicted by analysts, seeing the numbers actually change on your tariff can still be a source of anxiety for many families across the UK.
Do Not Suffer in Silence If looking at this new rate fills you with dread, the most important thing to do is communicate. Energy suppliers are legally required by Ofgem to offer support to customers who are struggling to pay. This is not a favour; it is a regulatory obligation. This support might include:
- Payment Plans: Spreading the cost of your arrears over a longer period to make monthly payments manageable.
- Payment Holidays: A temporary pause on payments (though this is rarer and usually for short-term crises).
- Hardship Funds: Many large suppliers (like British Gas, E.ON Next, and Octopus) have their own charitable trusts to help clear debt for vulnerable customers.
Immediate “Quick Wins” for October You can’t control the global gas price, but you can control how much you use. Now that the heating season has begun, try the 1-Degree Challenge. Turning your thermostat down from 21°C to 20°C can save around 10% on your heating bill. Most people won’t notice the difference, but your wallet certainly will.
Also, check your radiators this weekend. If they are cold at the top, they have trapped air, which means your boiler is working hard to pump hot water into a radiator that isn’t fully heating the room. Bleeding them takes five minutes and makes your system far more efficient.
If you have tried these tips and are still worried about the cost of keeping warm, you may be eligible for a government grant to improve your home’s insulation or heating system entirely for free.
