Managing energy costs can feel difficult, especially as prices continue to change throughout the year. Understanding how your energy bills are calculated – including what the Energy Price Cap does and does not cover – can help you see where your money is going, plan ahead for rising costs and make informed decisions about your household budget.

Understanding the Energy Price Cap

The Energy Price Cap is set by Ofgem, the UK energy regulator. It limits how much suppliers can charge for gas and electricity on standard tariffs, including daily standing charges.

However, the cap does not limit your total bill. The more energy you use, the more you will pay.

Most households are covered by the cap if they are on a standard variable tariff, including people who have never switched supplier, recently moved home, or whose fixed deal has ended.

From April to June 2026, the average Energy Price Cap is £1,641 per year for a typical household paying by Direct Debit. But prices are expected to rise by around 12.9% from July 2026, meaning many households could face higher bills later this year.

Standing charges are also important to understand. These are fixed daily costs added to your bill, even if you use very little energy.

Ways to manage rising energy costs

There are some simple steps that may help reduce pressure on your household budget.

• Check what energy tariff you are on and whether there may be cheaper options available. 
• Make small changes at home, such as switching appliances off at the plug, using heating carefully and reducing water usage, to help lower bills over time.
• If possible, try to plan ahead for higher costs later in the year. 
• Check whether you are receiving all the financial support you may be entitled to, including benefits, grants or local energy support schemes.

If you are struggling to pay your energy bills, contact your supplier as early as possible. Energy companies must offer support to customers facing financial difficulties.

Our Tenancy Sustainment team is also available to provide advice to customers to help with managing money, claiming benefits and how to pay energy bills.

Support available to you

If you're in Cornwall:

Community Energy Plus (0800 954 1956) provides free advice and practical support to help Cornwall residents stay warm, healthy, and financially secure.

Support includes:

• Energy bill and debt advice.
• Help accessing grants and energy-saving measures.
• Support to maximise income and reduce household costs.
• Advice on damp, mould, and staying warm. 
• Referrals to wellbeing, fire safety, and support service.

If you're in Devon:

Energy Saving Devon (0800 999 1439) offers free advice and support to help Devon residents make their homes warmer, healthier, and more energy efficient. They provide guidance on reducing energy bills, accessing grants, and improving home energy performance. 

Support includes:

• Free energy-saving and home efficiency advice.
• Help accessing grants and funding for home improvements.
• Support with insulation, heating upgrades, and retrofit projects.
• Guidance on reducing energy costs and keeping homes warm.
• Information on financial support and available schemes.
• Advice tailored to your home and circumstances.

If you're in Plymouth, Plymouth Energy Community are a highly recommended energy advice provider used by our residents.

If you're in Somerset or West of England:

Safe & Warm Somerset (0117 934 1400) provides free energy advice and practical support to help Somerset residents stay warm, healthy, and reduce household energy costs. The service supports people struggling with high energy bills, cold homes, damp and mould, heating issues, and fuel poverty. 

Support includes:

• Advice on reducing energy bills and managing energy debt.
• Help accessing grants for heating, insulation, and home improvements.
• Support with benefits, income maximisation, and financial assistance.
• Help resolving issues with energy suppliers.
• Guidance on damp, mould, and keeping homes warm.
• Referrals to local services and additional wellbeing support.