From 1 October to 31 December 2026, the Ofgem price cap puts a typical dual-fuel bill at £1,723 a year, up 4% on the summer. The quickest ways to save money this winter are to check whether a fixed tariff beats the cap, heat the rooms you use rather than the whole house, lower your boiler's flow temperature, and claim every scheme you qualify for, from the Warm Home Discount to Cold Weather Payments.
This guide uses the current cap rates to show where your money goes and which changes are worth making. For spring-specific jobs, see our spring energy checklist.
The October to December 2026 price cap
If you pay by direct debit on a standard variable tariff, these are the average rates under the cap (your exact rates depend on region and payment method).
| Fuel | Unit rate | Standing charge |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 26.32p per kWh | 54.83p per day |
| Gas | 7.97p per kWh | 29.68p per day |
VAT has been temporarily removed from domestic electricity from October 2026 to March 2027, which is reflected in the electricity rates. Standing charges alone add up to about £308 a year before you use any energy. Ofgem will announce the January to March 2027 cap by 25 November 2026. Our price cap explainer covers how the cap works.
What things cost to run
Knowing the cost of each appliance shows where savings are worth chasing. These estimates use the cap unit rates above.
| Activity | Energy used | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2kW electric heater for 1 hour | 2 kWh electricity | 53p |
| Same heat from a gas boiler | About 2.2 kWh gas | 18p |
| 9kW electric shower for 10 minutes | 1.5 kWh electricity | 39p |
| Boiling a full 3kW kettle (4 minutes) | 0.2 kWh electricity | 5p |
Because electricity costs more than three times as much per unit as gas, plug-in electric heaters are an expensive way to heat a room if you have gas central heating. They can make sense for a single room for a short time, but not as a replacement for the boiler.
Heating: where the biggest savings are
Heating is the largest part of most winter bills, so start here.
- Heat rooms, not the whole house: turn radiator valves down in unused rooms and keep doors closed
- Lower the boiler flow temperature: many combi boilers are set higher than they need to be. Lowering it can help the boiler run more efficiently. Follow your manufacturer's guidance, and do not lower the hot water temperature on a system with a cylinder without advice
- Use a schedule: heat the house before you get up and before you get home, rather than leaving it on all day
- Turn the thermostat down a degree if you stay comfortable
- Block draughts: door and window strips, letterbox brushes and keyhole covers are cheap. Close curtains at dusk and keep radiators clear of furniture
- Keep the home warm enough for health, especially for babies, older people and anyone unwell; the NHS advises heating rooms you use to at least 18°C where possible
Check your tariff and your account
Compare fixed tariffs with the cap using your own annual usage in kWh, which is on your annual statement or app. A fix only helps if it is cheaper than the cap on your usage or you value price certainty. Watch for exit fees and higher standing charges. Our tariff switching guide walks through it.
Also submit meter readings at least monthly if you do not have a working smart meter, so you are not billed on estimates, and check your direct debit covers expected winter use. If you are struggling to pay, contact your supplier early: they must offer payment arrangements and may have a hardship fund.
Help you can claim this winter
Several schemes can cut your bill or put money in your pocket:
- Warm Home Discount: a £150 discount off your electricity bill, applied by your supplier for eligible households, usually on means-tested benefits. The scheme reopens in October 2026; check eligibility on gov.uk
- Cold Weather Payment: £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027, paid automatically to people on certain benefits in England and Wales. Scotland has a separate Winter Heating Payment
- Winter Fuel Payment: £200 per household, or £300 if someone is 80 or over, for people over State Pension age. It is clawed back through tax if your income is over £35,000
- Priority Services Register: free extra support from your supplier and network operator if you are older, disabled, have young children or rely on medical equipment
- Insulation and heating grants: see what you might qualify for in our energy efficiency grants guide and government help with energy bills
Hot water and appliances
Hot water and appliances run all year, so habits here keep paying off.
- Shorter showers save on heating water; with a water meter they save on water bills too
- Wash clothes at 30°C and run full loads
- Dry clothes on an airer in a well-ventilated room rather than a tumble dryer where you can, and open a window briefly to avoid damp
- Only boil the water you need
- Switch appliances off at the wall rather than leaving them on standby
Plan for winter bills
Winter bills are predictable, so you can save for them. Look at last winter's bills, estimate this winter's using the current cap, and add any shortfall to a monthly savings plan in our budget planner. A separate pot for energy, built up in the summer, takes the shock out of January. Our savings goal calculator works out how much to put aside each month, and SYM can turn it into a small daily amount.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about energy bills this winter.
What is the energy price cap from October 2026?
Is it cheaper to use an electric heater than central heating?
Should I fix my energy tariff this winter?
Who gets the Warm Home Discount in 2026?
Is leaving the heating on low all day cheaper?
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