Energy · Guide
How to cut your energy bill this winter
From 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026, the Ofgem price cap puts a typical home paying by Direct Debit at £1,723 a year: electricity 26.32p per kWh plus 54.83p a day, gas 7.97p per kWh plus 29.68p a day.
Today's price cap at a glance
Price cap now · Ofgem
£1,723 a year, typical home
Electricity £858 · Gas £865 · 1 Oct 2026 to 31 Dec 2026
Quick wins this week
Small habits cost nothing and can cut how much energy you use this winter. Try these five this week.
- Set your thermostat one degree lower, and check it is not heating empty rooms.
- Boil only the water you need in the kettle.
- Wash clothes at a lower temperature, and run full loads only.
- Close curtains at dusk to keep heat in the room.
- Switch off lights and standby devices when you leave a room.
Want to see where your money goes? Try our energy bill calculator.
Check your bill is right
Your energy bill should match what your meter shows. Check it every month so you never pay for energy you have not used.
Send your supplier a meter reading each month. Read your electricity and gas meters, or use your smart meter display. Then compare the numbers with your bill. Each fuel has a standing charge. You pay it every day, even when you use no energy.
Next, check your Direct Debit amount. If your usage has changed, ask your supplier to update it. Not sure what normal looks like? Ofgem's typical household uses 2,500 kWh of electricity and 9,500 kWh of gas a year. Use our energy bill calculator to estimate your own yearly cost.
Make sure you are on the right tariff
Pay by Direct Debit on the price cap, or compare fixed deals that hold your price for 12 to 24 months.
The price cap is set by Ofgem every three months. It limits the unit rate and daily standing charge on standard variable tariffs. It does not cap your total bill.
A fixed tariff holds your unit rates and standing charges for the whole deal, usually 12 to 24 months. Leaving early can cost an exit fee for each fuel. Compare the two types before you choose.
Paying by Direct Debit is the cheapest way on the price cap. Standard credit costs more.
Straight answers
Questions people ask
- What uses the most electricity at home?
- It depends on your home and habits, so your meter readings show where your electricity goes. Ofgem's typical household uses 2,500 kWh (kilowatt-hours) of electricity a year, which is a useful guide. Compare your yearly use with that figure to see if your bill is higher than expected.
- Does turning the heating down save money?
- Yes, turning the heating down cuts the energy you use, so the saving depends on how much less you use. Your meter readings show exactly how much you use each month. The standing charge still applies every day, though, so your bill will not drop to zero even on low-use days.
- Should I pay by Direct Debit?
- Yes, Direct Debit is the cheapest way to pay if you are on the energy price cap. Standard credit costs more, so switching to Direct Debit can lower what you pay. Ask your supplier to set it up, then check the monthly amount matches your usage.