7 ways to save on gas and electric ahead of Ofgem energy price cap rise

By Henry Sandercock
Published 30th Mar 2022, 18:09 BST
Better insulation means you won’t need to reach for the thermostat as often (image: Adobe)Better insulation means you won’t need to reach for the thermostat as often (image: Adobe)
Better insulation means you won’t need to reach for the thermostat as often (image: Adobe)

The worst cost of living crisis for decades is eating into household budgets up and down the UK.

Supermarket food prices as well as fuel costs have already risen sharply over the past six months, while energy prices are set to rocket from Friday (1 April) due to the 54% increase in Ofgem’s energy price cap.

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Boris Johnson’s Government has sought to intervene by providing an energy bills loan and a council tax rebate, but has been urged to go further as the Russia-Ukraine war is set to send inflation even higher.

So, given it does not appear as if any extra meaningful state support is on its way, what can you do to cut your household energy bills?

We have sought out some of the best tips for how to save money ahead of the price cap rise.

Energy bills quick wins

These are the things you can do right now to make a quick saving on your energy bills.

Top up your electricity prepayment meter before Friday

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If you have a prepayment electricity meter it could be worth topping it up before the Ofgem energy price cap increases on Friday (1 April).

Most prepayment meters for electricity and gas are on tariffs governed by the price cap, which means households who have them will be fully exposed to the 54% increase and could see typical usage costs soar to more than £2,000 per year.

Gas prices have been driven up because Russia is a key producer of the fossil fuel (image: Adobe)Gas prices have been driven up because Russia is a key producer of the fossil fuel (image: Adobe)
Gas prices have been driven up because Russia is a key producer of the fossil fuel (image: Adobe)

There had been suggestions consumers would be able to temporarily get around the rise by adding the maximum top up possible to their electricity meters before the new cap comes in - therefore, delaying when the new rate would apply from.

Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has sought to clarify with Ofgem and the major energy suppliers whether consumers will be able to continue to pay the existing rate after 1 April if they do this.

However, Mr Lewis has had a mixed response.

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Major supplier Scottish Power will apply the new energy price cap rates from 1 April regardless of whether you have topped up beforehand.

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