Energy price cap to change every three months from October - what it means for your bills

It means that from October, the energy price cap will additionally change every January and July, not just in April and October. According to the regulator, this will provide greater stability and reduce the risk of supplier failure as it lowers the chance of firms being forced to sell energy at a loss to consumers if prices rise rapidly. Ofgem said supplier failure can "cause high disruption and push up costs for consumers". 

However, the change means households are likely to see prices rise twice this winter, with energy analysts Cornwall Insight currently predicting a 70% hike in October, to £3,359 a year for a typical home, before a further 8% rise in January to a typical £3,616 a year. This is due to ongoing high wholesale energy costs (what firms pay), which largely determine the price cap. 

The plans for more regular price cap changes were first mooted in May.

The regulator has also announced that it will go ahead with plans to reduce the period between when it announces the price cap and when those changes hit bills. Previously, there has been about a two month gap between the announcement and when those changes took effect – from October, that will be reduced to 25 days. 

Right now, there are no deals cheaper than price-capped standard tariffs, which 24 million households are on, though there are some fixed deals that could be worth considering – see our updated 'Should you fix your energy deal?' analysis for full info.

How the price cap will change – and what it means for bills

The price cap sets a limit on the maximum amount suppliers can charge customers on standard tariffs for each unit of gas and electricity used, and sets a maximum daily standing charge.

Under the current price cap rules, Ofgem changes the level twice a year. There's a 'summer' price cap, which runs from April until September, and a 'winter' price cap, which runs from October until March. The new rules means it will now change every three months. 

What does Ofgem say?

Jonathan Brearley, chief executive of Ofgem, said: "I know this situation is deeply worrying for many people. As a result of Russia’s actions, the volatility in the energy markets we experienced last winter has lasted much longer, with much higher prices than ever before. And that means the cost of supplying electricity and gas to homes has increased considerably.  

"The trade-offs we need to make on behalf of consumers are extremely difficult and there are simply no easy answers right now. Today’s changes ensure the price cap does its job."