Energy
Our tips to counter the cost of high gas and electricity bills
Compare energy prices and providers
- Use Cheap Energy Club to compare energy deals.
- You'll get a unique bespoke prediction of what you'd pay if you stay on the Price Cap.
- Right now, it's only optimised for dual-fuel monthly Direct Debit price-capped users.
Energy: Our top gas & electricity guides
- Should I fix my energy or stay on the Price Cap? Full help in 'Should you fix?'
- Need help switching? Use our How to switch your energy guide.
- Struggling to pay your energy bills? See what help is available.
- On a price-capped tariff? See how much you'll pay from January. Use our Price Cap calculator.
Will energy prices go down in 2025?
Average annual energy bills will rise by 1% on 1 January for those on standard price-capped tariffs (most households).
It's predicted the Price Cap will rise again in April. After that, it's crystal-ball gazing, so regularly check our guide for the latest predictions.
What is the Energy Price Cap?
Since 2019, energy regulator Ofgem has capped the amount energy suppliers can charge for each unit of energy and the daily standing charge – but only for customers on standard and default tariffs (which most households are on).
Remember that it's the rates that are capped, so use more and you pay more.
How does switching energy suppliers work?
Switching is easy, it's the same gas, same electricity and same safety. Only the customer service and who bills you changes. Your supply always stays on and no one visits your home unless you want or need smart meters.
To switch suppliers, follow these steps:
1. Enter your details – either directly with the supplier or you can register for our Cheap Energy Club. You'll usually need your address, current energy supplier and usage, how you pay and whether you want to compare dual-fuel, gas or electricity-only tariffs.
2. Consider your options – make sure you compare all tariffs on the market to get the best deal and remember to factor in things like exit fees, tariff length and type.
3. Switch! (Or not) – if you've found a better deal, you can switch online or over the phone. The new supplier will handle the whole process so there's no need to tell your old supplier. Though remember to take a meter reading just before your switch completes.
Which energy tariff is the right one for me?
Selecting a tariff can be confusing as there are a number to choose from that can be advantageous for different households. You can choose from...
Standard variable tariff. This is what most households are on and the rates you pay are set by Ofgem's Price Cap.
Fixed rate tariff. Offers a fixed price for each unit of energy and fixed standing charges for a certain length of time, so it protects you from rising prices, but if prices fall elsewhere you could be locked in at a higher rate.
Prepayment energy tariff. This means you pay for what you use and can be topped up online, over the phone or at local shops.
Economy 7 tariffs. This comes with two rates, one for night time (off peak) usage, which is cheaper, and one for usage in the day (peak), which is more expensive. This helps encourage more night time usage, which is ideal if you have storage heaters.
Want to go green and cut bills?
There are loads of ways you can reduce your carbon footprint and save on your energy bills:
- Could you save with solar panels and a solar battery?
- Looking for a new car? Consider an electric vehicle and pair it with an EV tariff.
- Boiler reaching the end of its life? A heat pump is a low carbon alternative – you can get a £7,500 grant to help with the cost.
- Want a green energy tariff? See Cheap Energy Club or read our Green energy guide for full info.
- Extra home insulation can reduce your carbon footprint and your energy bills. See if you can get it free through the Great British Insulation Scheme.
Energy saving tips to cut your usage
The Energy Price Cap will rise by 1% on 1 January, leaving many struggling to pay their bills this winter, so cutting energy use is a key way to save. Here are some quick-fire tips on how to save energy and cut your costs:
- Turn your thermostat down by one degree and save £90/year.
- Try and turn your devices off standby and you could save up to £45/year.
- Wash clothes on a cooler setting and save £24/year.
- Check how much your appliances are costing you.
Martin Lewis explains how to cut your energy bills
Martin Lewis: “From 1 January, the vast majority of homes in England, Scotland & Wales will see costs jump 1.2% (on top of 1 Oct's 10% rise) – so for every £100 you pay today, you’ll typically pay £101.20. This rise means this winter many will still be paying nearly double what they were pre-crisis."
“The cheapest year-long fixes on the market right now are LESS than the current October Price Cap, but they mightn’t be around long. That looks a good deal, as it’s currently predicted once rates go up they won’t come down. Don’t just jump on any fix though – if you’re going to lock in you want to grab the cheapest for your use and location, so use a whole-of-market comparison, like MSE Cheap Energy Club."
MoneySaving successes
Below we've featured some fantastic success from MSE users who've used these guides to save money on their energy. If you've found success using our tools or guides, let us know via email.
"I phoned Octopus this morning and switched to a deal that is saving over £50 monthly! Shows it's really worth taking the plunge and shopping around"
- Barbara, April 2024
"Through MSE Cheap Energy Club, I switched energy provider to EDF, and felt very pleased with myself as the process was very straightforward"
- Gareth, April 2024
"Got quoted £87/month to fix with E.on for a year. British Gas wanted £178 based off the same usage figures. No-brainer to switch."
- Katy, May 2024
Energy comparison FAQs
Energy guides
Our tips to counter the cost of soaring gas and electricity bills
Our Cheap Energy Club is back – and you should COMPARE NOW
Energy Price Cap predicted to fall by less than expected
So should you fix now?
Energy Price Cap predicted to fall by less than expected
Energy Price Cap
calculator
Should I fix my energy or stay on the Price Cap?
What to do if you're struggling to pay your energy bills
What is the Energy Price Cap?
Energy Direct Debits help
The Great British Insulation Scheme
Heat the human, not the home
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Solar panels – are they worth it?
Heat pump grants
Heat pumps explained
Is Economy 7 worth it?
Help with energy bills in Northern Ireland
Prepaid gas and electricity
Can you change from prepayment meter to direct debit? Plus what extra help is available
Prepaid gas and electricity
Smart meters
Cheap heating oil
Electric vehicle energy tariffs
Electric vehicles
Best boiler cover
What is a heat network?
Cold weather payments
What are smart thermostats?
How energy suppliers set Direct Debits
Energy tariffs explained
Housing & energy grants
Energy bills explained
Energy help
This section has all our guides and tools to help you with the soaring cost of energy. We've full details of the Government's Energy Price Cap, which will keep costs capped and changes every three months. Plus we've help for what you need to think about if you've fixed energy.
We've also got guides which pull together all of the help available, whether that's Government grants for specific groups, help from the energy companies or free advice agencies that can help.
We've also tips to help you cut how much energy you use. And if that doesn't go far enough to cut your bills, our Heat the human, not the home guide tells you how to stay warm without putting the heating on – a guide we never thought we'd have to write.
You'll also find the various energy and housing grants that are available, an energy switching guide for those living in Northern Ireland, plus information on smart meters and whether you should get one – including what happens if it goes 'dumb'.
And if you're wanting to go green, our Are solar panels worth it?, Heat pumps explained, and Electric vehicles tariff guides could help you change up your home to use less – though the initial outlay for both is very high.
Andrew Capstick - Energy & Utilities Editor
Updated 28 August 2024