If you’re on your energy supplier’s default tariff, it might be time to switch to a cheaper deal. There are now lots of fixed rates available at less than the Ofgem price cap.  

The price cap applies to energy and gas prices from domestic suppliers in England, Scotland and Wales. Find more help below if you can’t get energy from a domestic supplier or live in Northern Ireland. 

It’s worth checking if you can get cheaper energy bills by switching supplier or tariff (the deal you’re on).

Ofgem offers support and guidance with your energy bills and energy-saving measures with its Energy advice for householdsOpens in a new window

If you live in England, you can speak to Better Housing Better, Better Health to help find out what schemes area available in your local areaOpens in a new window

If you live in Scotland, find out what extra financial support you might getOpens in a new window from Home Energy Scotland.

If you live in Wales, find out about energy saving tips and home improvement grantsOpens in a new window on gov.wales.

If you live in Northern Ireland, nidirect has energy saving tipsOpens in a new window as well as help and support with energy costsOpens in a new window on the Consumer Council.

Claim all the benefits you’re entitled to (especially Pension Credit or Universal Credit) because these will help you get further assistance, including the Winter Fuel Allowance and the Warm Home Discount worth £150 a year.

If you’ve run out of money or are struggling with an unexpected cost, free support is available. Our guide will help you find out where to get emergency help with money and food.

If you’re behind on your energy bills, contact your supplier. They are required to offer:

• tailored support
• flexible payment options
• access to support services.

You still have rights as a consumer, even if you’re in debt. The regulator, Ofgem, is consulting on plans for a Debt Relief Scheme to support customers in vulnerable situations. These measures should come into effect in 2026 and your supplier will contact you if you’re eligible. In the meantime, if you’re struggling, contact your supplier. They must treat you fairly and try to help you find a solution. Get our help on talking to your creditor. 

The energy price cap will be applied automatically by your supplier. There’s no need to apply and you won’t need any vouchers.  

There aren’t many energy deals available for those on a prepayment meter, but you could save money by switching tariffs. It’s always worth checking if you’d pay less by switching to a standard meter. This is because there are sometimes Direct Debit tariffs less than the price cap.

People who live in shared buildings like blocks of flats sometimes get their heating and hot water through a heat network instead of a gas and electricity supplier. This means your radiators are powered through one shared source instead of each flat having their own boiler. 

Until January 2026, heat networks weren’t regulated by Ofgem, and some customers have had to deal with price hikes of up to 450%.  

There are some changes you need to be aware of if you use a heat network: 

• There are increased protections around bills. They must be accurate and your heat network can no longer send bills for money owed for more than 12 months. 
• Vulnerable customers can now join a Priority Services Register and be protected from having their heating turned off. 
• You can now complain to the Energy OmbudsmanOpens in a new window if you’re having problems with your heat network.  

Some things haven’t changed, you still can’t switch supplier, and you aren’t covered by the energy price capOpens in a new window

Simple things like making sure you unplug phone chargers, not leaving devices on standby and using energy-efficient light bulbs are the first steps. Remember, if you use more, you’ll pay more.

You can also improve the energy efficiency of your home with double glazing and insulation.

Find out more in our guides:

• How to reduce your energy bills
• How to pay for home improvements.

As energy prices go up, your monthly payments might increase too. But you can always ask your supplier to change them, especially if: 

• you think your payments are too high, and
• your account is already in a lot of credit.

In England, Scotland and Wales, energy suppliers should be able to explain why your Direct Debit amount is fair and reasonable. If they can’t, you can ask your supplier to refund some of your credit.

In Northern Ireland, energy companies are regulated by the Utility RegulatorOpens in a new window; if you think your bill is wrong speak to your provider or you can go to the Consumer Council for helpOpens in a new window

MoneySavingExpertOpens in a new window has a calculator to help you work out what your monthly payment should beOpens in a new window  

Winter energy bills are usually much higher than summer ones, so instead of charging you for what you use each month suppliers will often take your yearly usage and divide it into 12 chunks. This is to spread the cost more evenly. This could explain why you’re being charged for more than you’re using.

Check your bills are accurate by taking regular meter readings. If you have a smart meter your readings are sent off automatically.  

While it’s rare for a big energy supplier to go bust, lots of small energy companies have gone out of business in the past.

If this happens, the ‘Ofgem safety net’ makes sure you're not left without energy. The safety net moves you automatically to a new deal with a different energy supplier.

If your energy supplier has stopped trading, it’s important to not switch immediately. Instead, wait for your new provider to contact you. Your new supplier will be chosen by Ofgem, which can take several weeks.

If you're already in the process of switching, it will still go through.

Make sure you take a meter reading so that you’re ready for when your new supplier contacts you.

It’s also worth keeping old energy bills and waiting until your new supplier is appointed before cancelling any Direct Debits.

Citizens Advice has more information about what you can do if your account is in debt or in credit when your supplier goes bustOpens in a new window

Any credit on your account will be protected. The balance is transferred to your new supplier, who will pay you any outstanding credit – minus any energy you have used but not been billed for. 

It’s important you don’t switch tariff or supplier until your account is moved to the new supplier. You might find it harder to get any money you’re owed if you switch before this happens.

If you owe money and your supplier goes bust, your debt will be transferred to the new provider and you’ll still have to pay.

Find out more on Ofgem on how you’re protected and what you need to do as a customer