UK Households Urged to Recheck Energy Tariffs as Winter Costs Climb Again

London, UK - October 2025 - As colder weather approaches, millions of UK households are being urged to review their energy tariffs before winter bills rise once again. Despite wholesale energy prices remaining stable, higher standing charges and network costs mean average bills are expected to climb for many families between October and December 2025.

According to Ofgem, the typical annual energy bill for a dual fuel household paying by direct debit will remain close to £1,755 - only slightly below the previous quarter's cap. However, rising fixed costs mean even homes that use less energy this winter could see little difference in their bills.

Experts are reminding households that the energy price cap is not a discount. The cheapest tariffs are often found by comparing options online at
https://freepricecompare.com/home-energy/

Why energy bills are not falling

While gas and electricity wholesale prices have stayed relatively steady through 2025, other factors continue to push up household costs, including:

Increased electricity balancing costs, which reached £815 million this year as the grid pays power stations to adjust output.

Rising standing charges, which fund network maintenance and social support schemes.

Higher costs of local network upgrades across England, Scotland and Wales.

From October, the average standing charge for electricity will rise from 52p to 54p per day, and gas will increase from 30p to 34p per day. This means even households that use less energy will still pay more simply for being connected.

Typical household energy rates under the new cap
Energy type Unit rate (pence per kWh) Daily standing charge
Electricity 26.35p 53.68p
Gas 6.29p 34.03p

These figures apply to customers on standard variable tariffs paying by direct debit. Actual prices vary between regions due to distribution costs.

How to check what you're really paying

Many households remain on standard variable tariffs, which change with the price cap and are often among the most expensive options. Anyone unsure of their current plan should:

Log in to their supplier account to review unit rates and standing charges.

Compare these rates against Ofgem's cap to see if they're paying too much.

Use a bill calculator to estimate potential savings from switching.

Even small differences in tariff or payment method can make a noticeable impact over the colder months when heating use rises sharply.

The case for reviewing dual fuel tariffs

Many households prefer dual fuel tariffs, where gas and electricity come from the same supplier. However, these bundled deals are not always cheapest. Ofgem data shows that some single-fuel tariffs now undercut dual fuel plans by as much as £100 per year.

For households that use more electricity, such as those with heat pumps or EVs, separate tariffs can be better value. Switching has become faster too - most households complete a change of supplier within five working days.

The hidden costs of prepayment meters

Around four million UK homes still rely on prepayment meters. These households top up using cards, keys, or mobile apps, but they generally pay more per unit than those who pay by direct debit.

From October, prepayment users will face average rates of:

Electricity: 27.25p per kWh

Gas: 6.55p per kWh

That means a typical prepayment household could pay £45-£60 more per year for similar energy use. Ofgem advises customers who can safely switch to a credit meter to consider doing so to unlock cheaper tariffs.

Comparing energy deals before winter

Although the price cap provides protection from excessive increases, it doesn't ensure the lowest prices. Energy suppliers continue to offer fixed and flexible tariffs, which can deliver better value for those who compare regularly.

Customers can explore competitive plans, lock in prices for 12 months, and choose options that suit their payment habits and meter type. Regular comparison remains one of the most effective ways to save money during the heating season.

Tools to help manage energy costs

Households looking to take control of their bills this winter can use these free tools:

Energy Bill Calculator - instantly estimates annual costs:
https://freepricecompare.com/home-energy/energy-bill-calculator/

Prepayment Meter Tariffs - shows which top-up plans are cheapest:
https://freepricecompare.com/home-energy/prepayment-meter-tariffs/

Dual Fuel Tariffs - compares combined gas and electricity plans:
https://freepricecompare.com/home-energy/dual-fuel-tariff/

Compare Energy Deals - reviews all fixed and variable tariffs:
https://freepricecompare.com/home-energy/

Each of these resources is completely free to use and can help identify cheaper rates from trusted UK suppliers in minutes.

Looking ahead to 2026

Energy analysts expect modest relief in early 2026 if wholesale gas prices continue to decline, but standing charges and policy costs may still offset those savings. With global markets unpredictable, experts recommend that households review tariffs every few months to stay protected.

Failing to compare plans could mean missing out on hundreds of pounds in potential savings each year.

Free Price Compare
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Email - customerservices@freepricecompare.com

Free Price Compare is committed to helping UK households lower their essential bills, make informed financial decisions, and find fair value across the utilities market.

Free Price Compare (https://freepricecompare.com
) is an independent UK comparison service authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Founded in 2012, it helps consumers and businesses find cheaper deals on energy, broadband, insurance and financial products. The platform offers impartial, transparent comparisons and holds over 4,000 verified customer reviews with an average rating of 4.7/5.

This release was published on openPR.