The energy price cap is set to rise by more than two per cent from October 1, adding an extra £35 on to annual gas and electricity bills for those on the standard tariff
Linda Howard Money and Consumer Writer and Rory Poulter
02:18, 23 Sep 2025
The price cap restricts the rates charged for each unit of energy and standing charges(Image: MartinPrescott via Getty Images)
From 1 October, the UK’s energy price cap will increase by over two per cent to £1,755, adding an additional £35 to annual gas and electricity bills for those on the standard tariff. Ofgem, which adjusts the cap, bases its decisions largely on the cost of energy in wholesale markets. However, this two per cent rise is partially due to the increased cost of transporting energy and the extra support measures that have been put in place for consumers.
The price cap restricts the rates charged for each unit of energy and standing charges, so your actual bill will still depend on your household’s energy usage. This means households that pay for their energy bills by direct debit and are on standard or variable tariffs will be capped at £1,755 a year.
If you’re a prepay energy customer, the price you pay will be capped at £1,707 a year, and those who pay when they receive their bill will be capped at £1,890 a year. Liz Hunter, Commercial Director at online comparison site MoneyExpert, has compiled some practical, realistic ways households can look at reducing their energy bill costs before the new price cap comes into effect, reports the Daily Record.
Energy bills are set to rise by two per cent October 1.(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
These nine insights explore both short and long-term ways to lower the consumption of energy used around the home, which should have a positive impact on utility bills.
Review your energy bills
With the current energy crisis, many of us are unable to save money by switching energy tariffs or providers as there are very few suppliers offering cheaper energy deals. However, there are still ways consumers can reduce their bills. One way is to switch to online billing to avoid admin fees associated with paper bills. If you’re currently receiving paper bills, ask your supplier if they can change to paperless bills and manage your bills online instead, if possible.
Paying by direct debit is usually the cheapest option, as some providers offer savings for those who move to this payment method. However, if your supplier wants to increase your direct debit by more than you can manage or are expecting, ask them to explain why.
Lastly, providing your provider with regular meter readings will keep your payments accurate and prevent estimated bills, which can sometimes be quite high. If you have a smart meter, it will send meter readings automatically, but you can double-check this on your smart meter or by checking with your provider to ensure you aren’t being given estimated bills.
Reduce your laundry expenses
Washing machines have become more energy-efficient, however despite this, they are often one of the most frequently used appliances in the home. While they may be convenient – especially for larger families – they use a lot of water and can be expensive to run.
Running a wash during peak times can be particularly costly. However, by making a few simple changes, you could save around £27 a year:
Use your washing machine early in the morning, before 7am, or late at night, if possible, to avoid the surge in price. Electricity demand is highest between 7am and 9am when most people are waking up, and after school or work between 3pm and 6pm. Avoiding these peak times will save money on each wash.Always wait until you have a full load before running a cycle. If you must do a smaller load, use the shortest, lowest-energy cycle possible (often referred to as a ‘quick wash’), which means less water, less energy, a shorter spin cycle and a lower temperature.Running your cycles on a 30-degree ‘eco mode’ wash will use less water and energy during the wash (unless your clothes are really dirty, in which case you’ll need a higher temperature wash). However, if you mainly run low-temperature washes, you’ll need to do the occasional hot wash to get rid of any bacteria and the buildup of odours in the machine.
Cutting down on drying your clothes
Consider upgrading your dryer to an eco-friendly heat pump dryer to conserve energy and money. A tumble dryer consumes a significant amount of energy, especially if it’s inefficient. One load in an electric tumble dryer costs between 50p and £1.80 per cycle, depending heavily on the type of dryer, its energy efficiency rating, and the current electricity price cap.
An A-rated heat-pump dryer, on the other hand, costs approximately 50p to 65p per full load cycle, though this can vary based on your specific electricity rate and the model of the dryer. If you do have a tumble dryer, cleaning the lint filters every time you use the machine can help save money. A blocked filter prevents the air from circulating freely and takes longer for clothes to dry.
If you’d rather dry your clothes naturally, this can save you the most money. However, avoid hanging wet clothes on radiators to dry as this can cause condensation and make the radiators run inefficiently, costing you more money in the long run. Instead, use a clothes horse or drying line.
Energy-saving tips for your heating
A more efficient heating system can save money, and even small changes, like turning down the thermostat by one degree, can reduce heating bills by 10 per cent.
Try to set the timer to only come on when you’re at home and need the heating on in order to avoid wasting energy. It’s worth noting that lots of companies offer advanced smart controls for heating systems that connect to the internet.
Similar to a timer, but more advanced, these can help you change timings remotely. Adding smart controls to your heating can give you the freedom to change your settings remotely, so you’ll only use energy when it’s really needed.
When heating your home, a cheap way to help keep the heat in is to add some reflector panels behind your radiators. These will help spread the heat around quicker as the panels reflect the heat back into the room, keeping you warmer for longer.
Keep your appliances clean
Households are busy places, and while we all strive to keep on top of general cleaning, you may not have the time to regularly deep clean every corner of the home. But did you know that dirt can have an impact on the efficiency of your larger appliances?
For example, large appliances, like fridges, cookers, dryers, dishwashers or washing machines, can gather dust or become dirty over time. This can impact their energy efficiency, resulting in higher energy bills as they’ll need more energy to run.
One example of this is fridge filters, which need to be kept clean to run properly. Dusting the condenser coils regularly can help your refrigerator run as efficiently as possible. Moreover, older appliances may not be as energy-efficient as their newer counterparts, which could result in higher energy consumption and costs. If your budget allows, consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient model.
However, it’s important to weigh the cost of a new appliance against potential savings to determine if it’s a worthwhile investment.
Maximise your kettle usage
Many of us have a habit of overfilling the kettle when making a cuppa, but this can lead to unnecessary energy use and expense. Aim to boil only the amount of water you need, potentially saving you around £10 annually. Most modern kettles feature a minimum-fill line and automatically switch off once the water has boiled.
To further conserve energy, consider boiling a full kettle in the morning and transferring any leftover hot water into a large thermos flask to keep it warm throughout the day. This strategy could save you from having to boil the kettle multiple times a day, thus conserving both energy and money.
If your kettle is an older model, it might be time to upgrade to a more energy-efficient version that could help you save in the long run. Regular descaling is also crucial for maintaining your kettle’s efficiency – a limescale-ridden kettle requires more energy to boil water, which could increase your energy bills.
Turn off energy-draining devices
The term ‘vampire device’ refers to electrical appliances that continue to consume power when they’re plugged in but not in use, such as leaving a television on standby. While this might seem convenient, it contributes to your already escalating energy bill.
Although it may not appear to be a significant issue in the short term, over the course of a year, the cumulative cost of leaving multiple devices on standby can add a noticeable extra amount to your bills.
Some of the most prevalent ‘vampire devices’ include microwaves, computer monitors, coffee machines, white goods and chargers. Some appliances, like a modem or a fridge, do need to be kept on 24/7, but most electronic devices can be switched off at the plug when not in use to save money. By doing so, you could save up to £45 a year.
Draught-proof your home
Draught-proofing your home and topping up your loft insulation is one of the easiest ways to save money and energy. Although it may not be too cold yet, it’s best to be prepared and start getting your home’s insulation ready for the winter weather.
Better insulation helps reduce the total amount of energy you’re using, including what you use for heating your home. Furthermore, a quarter of your home’s heat is lost through the roof, so keeping this warm air inside means your home will stay warmer for longer and you won’t be wasting energy and money.
Adding insulation by DIY fitting foam insulation around exposed hot water pipes could cost as little as £15, and the more you add, the more money you’ll save. Many homes have gaps around doors and windows, which can result in heat escaping from your home. If you stop this heat escaping, you could save yourself up to £85 a year.
It’s also worth noting that if you have an open chimney, draught-proofing it with an inflatable pillow when it’s not in use could save a further £65 a year. Another money-saving tip is to use draught excluders and sealant strips to keep warm air in while maintaining proper ventilation by not covering air vents.
Just remember that when you are adding insulation to your home or draught-proofing gaps, you do need some ventilation in the home. So make sure you aren’t covering up holes that are supposed to be there, like trickle vents in window frames.
Invest in energy-efficient features
Installing a few additional features in your home can be an effective way of saving money on your energy bills. For example, investing in thermostatic radiator valves can help control the temperature of individual radiators so you can make sure you’re only heating the rooms you actually need.
This reduces the volume of hot water going to the radiators, using less energy and helping save you money. Consider switching to LED bulbs, which can save up to £8 a year and last longer than traditional incandescent lights. Another cost-effective measure is installing an energy-efficient shower head, which regulates the water flow to reduce the amount you use when showering.
If you’re in the market for a new appliance such as a fridge, washing machine or tumble dryer, opting for one with a rating of A+ or above (A+++ being the top rating) will ensure that it’s not only more energy efficient but also kinder to the environment.
What to do if you’re struggling to pay your bills
For some households, simply reducing usage or making minor changes won’t be enough to make their energy bills more affordable. Some families may require additional help or support to meet their energy costs. If this is the case, it’s crucial to contact your energy supplier at the earliest opportunity.
Discussing your situation with your provider might seem daunting, but it’s the most effective way to get assistance. Your options could include agreeing on a payment plan to pay each month by direct debit, signing up for a different tariff – such as a social tariff, getting more time to pay, taking payment breaks, or they may have grants and schemes or hardship funds you could access.
Energy suppliers are obligated to take certain steps before disconnecting your supply, so if you’re upfront with them, they will assist you in finding ways to pay.
If you’re in a financial bind and need immediate assistance, there are several organisations and charities that can provide support, including Citizens Advice, MoneyHelper, National Energy Action, National Debtline and StepChange.
