Energy bills to fall for millions of people
Millions of households will see their energy bills fall in April after the energy regulator, Ofgem, lowered the default and prepayment meter energy price caps. Both caps will fall by £17 for the April-September period this year.
What is an energy price cap?
Energy price caps limit the price a supplier can charge you per kWH of electricity and gas - the unit measure from which your energy bill is worked out. The aim is to make sure that customers on poor value default or standard variable tariffs pay a fairer price for their energy and are not overcharged.
A household's overall energy bill will still rise and fall according to how much energy it uses.
Suppliers must cut their prices to the price cap level or below that Ofgem sets.
Is my energy capped?
Your energy will capped if you:
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Use a prepayment meter (around four million households)
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Are on a 'standard variable' energy tariff or a tariff you haven't chosen (around 11 million households).
If you are on a fixed-term energy tariff that you have chosen, your prices will not be protected by the caps. However, this type of tariff is more likely to be good value.
Use Turn2us resources to find help
Our website has information on Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments.
Our free Benefits Calculator can help you check your welfare benefit entitlements and tax credits. Even if you have checked before, it is worth checking again, especially if there has been a change in your circumstances.
You can also use our Grants Search to find out if you are eligible for a charitable grant or other support. This includes energy company grant-giving funds.
You may also find it helpful to read our Grants for Energy Efficiency information, Energy Schemes information and Fuel Poverty information.
If you are worried about any issues and would like further advice, you can use our Find an Adviser tool to locate face-to-face advice in your local area.
Sources:
BBC News: Energy bills set to fall for millions of households
Ofgem: Savings on energy bills for millions as price caps fall