Energy Price Cap Change: What It Means For You
When energy bills are in the news again, it’s very easy to feel confused about what it actually means for your household. At Aran, we know that this time of year can feel uncertain, so we want to make things a little clearer and share some simple tips to help you stay in control.
What’s happening with the Energy Price Cap?
First things first: the price cap isn’t a limit on your total bill. Instead, it sets the maximum amount suppliers can charge per unit of energy and for the daily standing charge.From 1st October to 31st December 2025, the cap will rise by about 2%, which means the average household bill will be around £1,755 a year. The exact amount you pay will still depend on how much energy you use, plus factors like your region, your meter and how you pay.
Standing charge shake-up coming in January
Ofgem has announced that from January, every supplier must offer at least one tariff with a reduced or even zero standing charge.
Sounds good, right? But here’s the catch: those tariffs will usually come with higher unit rates. That means if you use very little energy, you could benefit, but for the majority of people, actual energy usage is still the main thing driving the bill.
So if you’re thinking of switching, always compare both the standing charge and the unit rate with your typical usage.
Easy Wins to Manage What You Use
You can’t control wholesale prices or standing charges, but you can take charge of the energy flowing through your meter. The good news is, it doesn’t mean massive changes. Here are some low-effort wins:
- Heat your home smartly: If it’s safe for you, turn your thermostat down a notch and only heat the rooms you use most. Keep doors closed and radiators clear and unobstructed.
- Hot water hacks: Keep your showers shorter, fix dripping taps and don’t leave the hot tap running.
- Stop the draughts: Quick fixes like draught-proofing doors, windows and letterboxes can make an instant difference.
- Good kitchen habits: Use lids on pans, boil only what you need and make the most of energy-efficient gadgets like slow cookers or air fryers.
- Laundry tips: Wash at 30°C, spin well to cut drying time and avoid drying clothes on radiators (it makes heating less effective).
- Switch off the ‘standby’: Turn appliances like TV’s completely off and swap old bulbs for LEDs.
- Use your smart meter: Keep an eye on your in-home display to spot what’s using the most energy and change those habits first.
These tweaks don’t require big investments, they’re just small steps that stop you paying for energy you don’t really need.
How Aran Can Help
We can check if you’re eligible for things like the Warm Homes Discount or similar grant funding schemes that are currently available under your Local Authority. In some cases, you might qualify for energy efficiency upgrades at absolutely no cost to you.
You can find out what measures you might be eligible for by using our easy postcode checker here: Warm Homes Local Grant - Eligibility Checker | Aran
The bottom line
Price cap changes can feel unsettling, but small steps really do add up and with the right support from Aran, you can take control of your bills.
💡 Ready to get started? Use our eligibility checker by clicking the button below.