Is your energy bill higher than you expected? You're not alone. Many UK households are wondering why their costs keep rising. The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do about it.
Understanding why your bills are high is the first step to bringing them down. With some simple changes to how you use energy at home, you can start saving money right away. Even small actions can add up to big savings over time.
Energy prices have changed a lot in recent years. Global events, supply challenges, and changes in how we generate power have all played a part in pushing costs up. While things have settled down since the peak of the energy crisis, many of us are still paying more than we used to.
The good news is that energy watchdog Ofgem helps protect customers through the energy price cap. This sets a limit on what suppliers can charge for each unit of gas or electricity.
Your total bill still depends on how much energy you use, where you live, and how you pay, but these protections help keep costs more predictable.
According to Ofgem (the UK's energy regulator), a typical dual fuel household pays around £153 per month for their energy, which is about £1,834 per year. For homes with just electricity, the average monthly bill is about £70 (around £845 per year).
These monthly figures can vary quite a bit depending on the season – you'll likely pay less in summer months and more during winter when heating is used more.
It's worth remembering that these are just averages. Your own monthly bills might be higher or lower based on your home's size, how well it's insulated, and your day-to-day energy habits.
There are many reasons why your energy bills might go up, even if you haven't changed your tariff. Understanding these can help you spot where you might be able to save.
You'll use more energy as the weather gets colder - you'll be turning the heating up for longer and having cosy nights in with the television on. Other reasons you could be using more energy include:
Unless you've got a smart meter, you might be sending manual readings to your energy supplier each month. Make sure you read the meter correctly; it can be easy to note it down wrong.
If the supplier doesn't have a meter reading they'll send you an estimated bill. This will be based on past consumption, and if they base it on the winter months, or on when you had more people living in your home, then the bill may be higher than you expect.
You don't have to pay an estimated bill - contact your supplier with a meter reading and they'll send you a new bill.
Getting a smart meter installed can solve this problem permanently, as it automatically sends accurate readings to your supplier.
Are you using too many appliances or leaving them plugged in when they're not in use? Remember to switch the television off when you leave the room, turn lights off in empty rooms, and unplug mobile device chargers. Even if they're not charging anything, leaving them plugged in and switched on still uses a small amount of electricity.
In 2025, with more and more smart home devices, gaming systems, and gadgets in our homes, these small energy drains can add up significantly.
If you switched to a new tariff you were probably put onto a good deal to entice you in. Unfortunately, these deals don't last forever. If you've come to the end of your fixed price period then you'll be put onto the default variable rate tariff, which could explain an increase in your energy bills.
With the energy price cap in place, there's less difference between tariffs than there used to be. However, fixed deals are starting to return to the market in 2025, and in some cases might offer better value than the standard variable tariff.
If you're finding it hard to keep up with energy costs, don't worry – there's support out there:
1) Your energy supplier can help – they must work with customers who are finding it difficult to pay by creating an affordable payment plan that works for you
2) You might qualify for government support – including winter fuel payments for pensioners and cold weather payments for those on certain benefits
3) The Warm Home Discount scheme could give you a one-off discount on your winter electricity bills. This scheme reopens in October.
4) Your local council may offer additional support schemes specifically for your area
5) Free advice is available from friendly experts at organisations like Citizens Advice or MoneyHelper.
Ready to take action on your energy bills? Here are some quick wins that can make a real difference to your monthly costs:
Don't let so-called 'vampire appliances' drain your energy. Vampire appliances are those that are left in standby mode. Standby mode doesn't turn the appliance off completely so it's constantly using power. Switch the plug off at the mains or unplug it completely. You could save up to £45 a year by doing this. Common culprits include TVs, computers, and mobile device chargers.
When it's time to replace appliances, look for those with high energy efficiency ratings. An A-rated refrigerator can save around £80 per year compared to an older model.
If your roof isn't insulated, heat will be escaping through it resulting in a colder house. Roof insulation now costs between £850 and £1,200 but could save you up to £380 a year with today's energy prices. Even if you've got roof insulation it would be worth thinking about adding to it, as the savings pay for themselves within a couple of years.
If you haven't already, replace all your light bulbs with LED versions. They use up to 90% less energy than traditional bulbs and last much longer. In a typical home, switching all bulbs to LEDs can save around £30 per year.
Want more ways to cut your energy costs? Check out our dedicated guide. You'll find additional tips on draught-proofing, efficient laundry habits, and more.
Sometimes bills can be wrong. If yours seems unusually high, here's what you can do:
1) Take a meter reading yourself and share it with your supplier
2) Check your meter is working properly (if numbers go up when everything is switched off, it might need checking)
3) Ask your supplier to look into possible billing mistakes
4) Consider getting a smart meter so your readings are always accurate
5) Keep notes of who you spoke to and when about your bill
Don't worry – your supplier must look into any problems you report. If you're not happy with how they handle things, you have the right to take your case to the Energy Ombudsman who can help sort things out.
Understanding why your energy bills are high is the first step toward reducing them. By identifying the causes—whether it's increased usage, estimated readings, or inefficient appliances—you can take targeted action to bring your costs down.
Remember that small changes can add up to significant savings over time. If you're struggling with high energy costs, don't hesitate to reach out for support. Your supplier, government programs, and independent advice services are all there to help you keep your home warm and your bills manageable.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure content is correct when published. Information on this website doesn't constitute financial advice, and we aren't responsible for the content of any external sites.
Fiona is a personal finance writer with over 7 years’ experience writing for a broad range of industries before joining Ocean in 2021. She uses her wealth of experience to turn the overwhelming aspects of finance into articles that are easy to understand.
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