Millions of households across the UK will see their energy bills rise by approximately £200 from July, as the energy price cap is set to increase by 13 per cent. This adjustment, confirmed by energy regulator Ofgem, will push the average annual dual-fuel bill to £1,862, a rise of £221 from current levels. Gas bills are projected to jump by 24 per cent, while electricity costs will increase by 5 per cent, meaning the average household will pay an extra £18 per month. Early predictions suggest further rises are anticipated in October.
Ofgem Cites Global Volatility
Ofgem chief executive Tim Jarvis attributed the increase to ongoing volatility in global energy markets. “Today’s price change reflects continued volatility in global energy markets. This means higher wholesale gas prices, driven by ongoing conflict in the Middle East, is impacting the price we pay for energy,” he said. Jarvis acknowledged that many households will be concerned about rising prices, but noted that energy use typically falls over the summer months. He advised consumers to explore fixed tariffs, change their payment method, or take advantage of half-price or cheap electricity at weekends if they have smart meters.
Five Simple Swaps to Cut Costs
With prices continuing to climb, making small changes at home can make a real difference. Here are five simple swaps that could help you save money on your energy bills.
1. Swap Out Old Light Bulbs for LEDs
LEDs use far less energy than traditional bulbs and typically last much longer, reducing the frequency of replacements. Becky Lane, CEO of home energy company Furbnow, says: “The easiest wins are always things that people have forgotten to swap over the past 10-15 years, and it’s often to do with lighting. Old light bulbs are really inefficient, particularly halogen ones. Newer light bulbs over the past 15 years predominantly tend to be LED, and they consume energy a lot more efficiently than older ones for the same amount of light output. If you haven’t swapped them yet, this can be a really easy switch to do.”
2. Replace Locks, Hinges, and Seals in Windows and Doors
Upgrading or adjusting your window and door hardware is an effective, budget-friendly way to stop drafts, retain indoor heat, and lower your energy bills. Lane advises: “Look at the condition of the seals and the frames. If it’s very drafty, you can replace the hinges and locks, which tends to be really cheap. Replacing the seals is also fairly affordable and easy to do when it’s drafty to help reduce that wasted heat. Also, look to see if the glazing has blown, which causes windows to go all misty inside, as it might be worth replacing any panes that have blown too.”
3. Boost Energy Efficiency with Loft Insulation Upgrades
Upgrading or topping up insulation can make a noticeable difference in retaining heat and reducing energy bills. Lane says: “Loft insulation is such a quick win. You want to aim for about 200mm of loft insulation in your loft space.” If you already have loft insulation, check its condition. “If you had your loft insulation done 20 or 30 years ago, it might have compacted and slumped over time, which means it’s not as effective as it would have been before. But you don’t need to remove it. You can just add more loft insulation on top to get it to 200mm. It’s also really important to make sure that you lay the loft insulation down so it’s connected with the loft base, rather than on top of any boarding that you have, because that means it will be much more effective.”
4. Swap Out Old Manual Valves with Thermostatic Radiator Valves
By allowing you to control the temperature of individual rooms, thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) prevent you from overheating unused spaces. Lane explains: “Adding thermostatic radiator valves can also be a no-brainer because it means that you are only heating each room to the temperature that needs to be. You can invest in these over time and don’t need to replace and pay for them all immediately.”
5. Switch Your Payment Method to Direct Debit
Most UK energy suppliers offer cheaper unit rates to direct debit customers. Lynette Williams, senior energy expert at Citizens Advice, says: “Direct debit spreads your costs evenly across the year – and it’s usually the cheapest way to pay.”
