It comes after the price cap change on July 1
People have been warned to “never assume” if they are struggling with bills.
According to an expert at consumer champion, Which?, many households may feel the impact, with the price cap having increased on July 1, 2026. The BBC reports: “Regulator Ofgem says the war means a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity will pay £221 more a year, with an annual bill of £1,862.”
Which? also says similar, noting that much of the rise is driven by conflict in the Middle East. This has pushed up global oil and gas prices, and by the government shifting some environmental policy costs from electricity bills to gas bills.
Don’t assume
However, in key advice, Sarah Ingrams is urging people not to assume “a big energy provider gives better customer service.” With over 10 years’ experience writing about consumer affairs, the expert leads on energy content at Which?, helping customers navigate the market and exposing poor practice.
She writes: “British Gas, EDF Energy, E.on Next, Octopus Energy, Ovo Energy and Scottish Power supply gas and electricity to around 92% of households in Great Britain, according to Ofgem. Some customers have stuck with them for years, and others have never been with a different provider.
“But our research finds big differences between the quality of their customer service, whether customers consider them to be good value for money and the extent to which their practices are in the best interests of customers.”
With this in mind, people should always shop around to ensure they get the best value for money. But before people sign up for a deal, there are a few things they should always check.
Which? says to always check:
- Exit fees – how much they cost
- Length of tariff – usually 12, 18 or 24 months
- How direct debit works – is it a fixed monthly amount or does it vary depending on what you use?
- Warm Home Discount – if eligible, will a new supplier pay it? Some of the smallest suppliers aren’t included in the scheme.
- Solar Export Payments – some providers offer preferential rates for customers, so you might lose a rate if you switch suppliers, or find a better rate to move to.
- Peak and off-peak times – a small number of ‘time of use’ tariffs are available, with different rates at different times of day. If that’s you, make sure you know the time slots and can act accordingly.
Fixed deals
In addition to never assuming, the expert asks people to set reminders so you “don’t forget when your fixed deal is ending.”
She explains: “If you signed up to a fixed deal, it’s likely to be 12, 18 or 24 months long. When your contract ends, you’ll automatically move onto your provider’s out-of-contract or default tariff if you take no action.
“Default tariffs are set by the energy price cap and change every three months. They rise by 13% today and are expected to remain as high when the cap is next adjusted in October.
“Your supplier should remind you that your fixed tariff is ending 49 days before it does. You can also check your tariff end date in your app, online account or your latest statement.
“Seven weeks’ notice might feel like a long time and it’s easy to put it aside for later and end up paying more than you need to as a result. But you can actually switch, without paying any exit fees, in the last 49 days of your tariff. “
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