Energy Price Cap: What It Is and Your Energy Bill Rights

Your supplier decides the unit rate, the cost of each kilowatt hour of electricity and gas, and the standing charge, which you pay every day even if you use no energy. Ofgem sets the maximum your supplier can charge for the unit rate and standing charge together. The cap can vary by where you live, how you pay, the fuel and the type of meter.

The price cap protects people on standard variable tariffs. You are not protected if you:

• ✗No: agreed a fixed tariff with your supplier
• ✗No: have a business energy contract
• ✗No: get your heat from a heat network or use heating oil

From 1 October to 31 December 2026 the price cap is £1,723 a year, up 4% on the previous period. That figure is based on the average unit rate and standing charge for people paying by Direct Debit in England, Scotland and Wales.

Our Autumn Budget 2026 guide covers the energy bill support announced on 28 October.

You have to pay any accurate bill, including a back bill. But under Ofgem's back billing rules you do not have to pay for energy you used more than 12 months ago if you have not had an accurate bill or statement for it before, or your Direct Debit was set too low to cover it. The rules apply to households and microbusinesses.

You will have to pay for older energy if you acted unreasonably, for example by:

• stopping your supplier from billing you accurately, including by blocking access to your meter
• ignoring requests for payment from your supplier
• stealing electricity or gas

If your supplier has not followed the rules, contact it straight away. It will refund any money taken in error.

You can switch supplier or tariff at any time. Suppliers must switch your supply within 5 working days, and if they do not, your new supplier must pay you £40 automatically. If you are switched by mistake you could also get £40. You can cancel a switch within 14 days, and you may have to pay an exit fee if you leave a fixed tariff early.

You can still switch if you have owed your old supplier money for less than 28 days, or if you have a prepayment meter and owe up to £500. You cannot switch if you have been in debt to your supplier for more than 28 days.

If you are struggling to pay, you can ask your supplier to:

• agree a payment plan, payment break or reduction
• review your current payments and debt repayments
• give you access to hardship funds

In England and Wales you can also apply for Breathing Space, which stops creditors taking action while you get debt advice. Our guides to Breathing Space and priority debts explain how to deal with energy arrears, and our Winter Fuel Payment guide covers help for pensioners.

Complain to your supplier first. It must try to fix the problem and resolve your complaint within 8 weeks. You can then go to the Energy Ombudsman if:

• ✓Yes: the problem is not fixed within 8 weeks
• ✓Yes: you and the energy company cannot agree how to fix it
• ✓Yes: you receive a deadlock letter saying the problem cannot be fixed
• ✓Yes: you are not happy with the decision

The Energy Ombudsman will tell you its decision within 6 weeks of you escalating the complaint. You can call it on 0330 440 1624.

The price cap sets prices for customers in Great Britain. In Northern Ireland the Utility Regulator regulates tariffs instead: it scrutinises the costs suppliers incur and caps their profits. Our consumer guides cover your other rights as a customer.