If you're worried about your energy tariff
The cost of energy has gone up. This means the price you pay for gas and electricity might have gone up.
The government has put a limit on what most households pay for gas and electricity - this is called the ‘Energy Price Guarantee’. It started on 1 October 2022 and lasts until 31 March 2023.
Check how the Energy Price Guarantee affects your energy bills
Your bills might change because of the Energy Price Guarantee. This depends on the type of energy tariff you’re on.
Your energy tariff sets the price you pay for gas and electricity. If you're not sure what tariff you're on, check your energy bills or contact your energy supplier.
If you're on your supplier's 'default tariff', this is the same as a standard variable tariff. You might be on the default tariff if:
- your fixed rate tariff has ended
- you moved home
- you moved to a new supplier when your old supplier went bust
You’re probably on a default tariff if you haven’t switched suppliers in the last year, or you’ve never checked what tariff you’re on.
If you’re on a standard variable tariff
The Energy Price Guarantee automatically limits how much your energy supplier can charge you for:
- each unit of energy you use - these are kilowatt hours (kWh)
- your daily ‘standing charge’ - this is the fixed daily amount you pay for energy, no matter how much you use
You’ll still pay more if you start using more gas and electricity.
The highest rate your supplier can charge you depends on where you live and how you pay for energy. Your price will be lower if you pay by direct debit and higher if you have a prepayment meter.
You don’t need to do anything. Your supplier will automatically use the price limits to calculate either:
- your energy bills
- how quickly your prepayment meter will use up credit
Find out more about how the Energy Price Guarantee works on GOV.UK.
If you’re on a fixed tariff
You might get a discount from 1 October 2022 because of the Energy Price Guarantee.
You’ll only get a discount if your rate is more than what you would pay on a standard variable tariff. Your supplier must reduce the rate you pay for each unit of energy - these are kilowatt hours (kWh).
There’s a limit to how much your supplier can reduce your energy rate - this means your new rate might still be higher than the standard variable tariff.
You’ll still pay more if you start using more gas and electricity.
Your daily standing charge won’t change. This is the fixed daily amount you pay for energy, no matter how much you use.
If you're thinking about moving to a standard variable tariff
It’s not clear if it’s better to move to a standard variable tariff or stay on a fixed tariff.
If you already have a high fixed rate tariff, your supplier’s standard variable tariff will probably be cheaper. This is because of the Energy Price Guarantee.
However, the Energy Price Guarantee ends on 31 March 2023. This means after March the standard variable rate could be more or less than the fixed tariff you have now. You might have to pay more than you’re paying now.
If you want to move to a standard variable tariff, contact your supplier. Ask them if there are any fees for leaving your fixed tariff early. If you change tariff, you won't be able to go back to the fixed tariff you have at the moment.
Find out more about how the Energy Price Guarantee works on GOV.UK.
If you’re on a time-of-use tariff
The Energy Price Guarantee automatically limits how much your energy supplier can charge you for your daily ‘standing charge’. This is the fixed daily amount you pay for energy, no matter how much you use.
You’ll still pay more if you start using more gas and electricity.
The Energy Price Guarantee will apply a discount to the rate you pay for each unit of energy you use - these are kilowatt hours (kWh). You should contact your supplier to find out how they'll be applying the discount
At the moment it’s usually worth staying on your default tariff because there aren’t as many cheap deals available right now.
The cost of energy is likely to go up. This means the price you pay for gas and electricity will also go up - but the Energy Price Guarantee will limit how much you have to pay.
If you want to switch tariffs
You won’t find many energy tariffs on price comparison tools at the moment - this is because of changes in the energy industry. If you don’t find a better tariff than the one you’re on it’s probably better to wait until deals are available again.
If your energy supplier goes bust
Don’t switch tariff or supplier until your account is moved to the new supplier. You might find it harder to get any money you’re owed if you switch before you’re moved.
The two most common tariffs are ‘fixed’ tariffs or ‘standard variable’ tariffs.
If you get a fixed tariff it will usually last for 12 months and means the rate you pay for energy won’t change for the length of your contract. This doesn’t mean your bills will be the same each month - the more energy you use, the more you’ll pay. You might have to pay an 'exit fee' if you switch supplier or tariff early.
If you get a standard variable tariff it means the rate you pay for energy will go up or down when global energy prices change.
If you use most of your energy at night
You can get a ‘multi rate’ or ‘economy’ tariff. This means you’ll pay less for energy you use overnight, and more during the day.
If you have a prepayment meter
You’ll usually only be able to get a ‘prepayment tariff’. This means you pay for your energy before you use it.
If you want eco-friendly energy
You can choose a ‘green tariff’ if you want the money you're spending to be invested in renewable energy. These are usually more expensive than standard tariffs.
If you have an electric vehicle
You can choose an electric vehicle tariff. These can be single rate or multi rate which means you’ll pay less at night.
You can compare prices and switch online.
Further help
If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills or top up your prepayment meter you might be able to get extra help. Check if you can get grants and benefits to help pay your energy bills.
If you’re struggling with living costs
If you’re struggling with money, there are things you can do to save on your regular living costs. Check what to do if you need help with living costs.
If you’re finding it hard to pay your bills, you can get help. Find out more about getting help with your bills.
You can also get help with debts.
If you're struggling to pay for food, find out how to get help from a food bank.
If you’re finding things difficult
Your mental health is as important as your physical health. You should talk to your GP if your money problems are affecting your mental health.
You can find other ways to get help with your mental health on the Mind website.
If you need to speak to someone right now you can call the Samaritans for free.
Samaritans
Helpline: 116 123 (Monday to Sunday at any time)
Welsh Language Line: 0808 164 0123 (Monday to Sunday 7pm to 11pm)
Shout
You can also text 'SHOUT' to 85258 to start a conversation with a trained Shout 85258 volunteer. Texts are free, anonymous and confidential from anywhere in the UK.
If you think it's an emergency
If you think your life or someone else’s is at risk, you should call 999 or go to A&E if you can.
You can also find a list of urgent mental health services on the Mind website.