Energy price cap: Why are gas and electricity bills going up and can I fix?
BBCGas and electricity bills are increasing again for millions of households on 1 April, when the latest energy price cap takes effect.
The annual bill for a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity is going up to £1,849 per year, an increase of £111.
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.
Can I fix my energy prices?
Fixed-price deals are not affected by the energy price cap, which changes every three months and can go up or down.
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.
Ofgem, the energy regulator, says customers who want the security of knowing what their bill will be should consider moving to a fixed deal before April. However, it says they should make sure they understand all the costs.
Martin Lewis, founder of Money Saving Expert, told the BBC that the level of fixed deals currently on offer means that switching is a "no-brainer".
He recommends checking whole-of-market energy price comparison sites to help find the best deal.
However, analysts at consultancy Cornwall Insight who monitor the energy market have predicted that the cap could fall back again in July, to close to the current level.
Ofgem says around four million customers have moved to a fixed tariff since the last price cap announcement, in November 2024.
What is the energy price cap and how is it changing?
The energy price cap covers around 22 million households in England, Wales and Scotland and is set every three months by Ofgem.
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.
Between 1 April and 30 June 2025, gas prices will be capped at 6.99p per kilowatt hour (kWh), and electricity at 27.03p per kWh.
This means the annual bill for a dual-fuel direct debit household using a typical amount of energy is going up to £1,849 per year.
Those who pay their bills every three months by cash or cheque will pay £1,969.
The cap does not apply in Northern Ireland, which has its own energy market.
What is a typical household?
Your energy bill depends on the overall amount of gas and electricity you use, and how you pay for it.
The type of property you live in, how energy efficient it is, how many people live there and the weather all make a difference.
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.
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.
Should I take a meter reading when the energy cap changes?
Submitting a meter reading when the cap changes means you will not be charged for estimated usage at the wrong rate.
This is especially important when prices go up.
Customers with working smart meters do not need to submit a reading as their bill is calculated automatically.
What is happening to prepayment customers?
Between April and June, households on prepayment meters will pay slightly less than those on direct debit, with a typical bill of £1,803, a rise of £113 from the previous quarter.
About four million households had prepayment meters in January 2025, according to Ofgem.
Getty ImagesMany have been in place for years, but some were installed more recently after customers struggled to pay higher bills.
Rules introduced in November 2023 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.
What are standing charges and how are they changing?
Standing charges are a fixed daily fee to cover the costs of connecting to gas and electricity supplies. They vary slightly by region.
On 1 April, the average electricity standing charge is falling from 60.97p to 53.8p but the average gas charge is increasing from 31.65p to 32.67p
Some customers in London and the North Wales and Mersey region are seeing larger increases.
Campaigners argue standing charges are unfair because they make up a bigger proportion of the bill of low energy users.
In response, Ofgem has said that energy firms must provide a choice of price-capped tariffs from winter 2025. One would have a standing charge and unit rate - as is the case now - and another no standing charge but a higher unit rate. However, the proposals have been criticised as being too complicated.
What help can I get with energy bills?
The Household Support Fund, which was introduced in September 2021 to help vulnerable customers has been extended until March 2026.
The Warm Home Discount scheme continues to offer a discount to eligible pensioners and low income households.
The government's Fuel Direct Scheme can help people to repay an energy debt directly from their benefit payments.
In addition, suppliers must offer customers affordable payment plans or repayment holidays if they are struggling with bills.
Most suppliers also offer hardship grants.
Changes to the winter fuel payment mean more than 10 million pensioners have not received the money this winter.