Energy prices from October, and what they mean for you
We'll get in touch with every customer this affects, with a personalised breakdown of what this means for you.
What is the energy price cap?
How much you're actually charged will depend on how much energy you use; so those who use more, will pay more.
The price cap limits the amount an energy supplier can charge for units of gas and electricity. It also impacts the standing charge which is the daily cost per fuel type and is set by Ofgem.
The price cap is often communicated as an annual figure based on the ‘typical consumption’ of a dual-fuel household that pays for their energy bills by direct debit.
Summary of changes
Only got a few minutes? Watch this video by our founder, Greg Jackson.
- Ofgem (the energy regulator) has announced the energy price cap will rise around 10% for a typical home from October 1 to December 31, due to the global cost of energy.
- Once again, Octopus prices are lower than the cap, and our customers continue to receive the cheapest standard tariff standing charges of any large supplier
- If you'd like to protect your rates from future changes, we're offering a 15 month fixed tariff with no exit fees. Compare the rates for your area here.
- We’ll keep an eye on your account balance, and suggest a change to your payments if it looks like you’re paying too much or too little.
Good to know: if you're not paying by Direct Debit, you could save a further £80 on average by setting one up with us.
If you're struggling to pay we have lots of support on offer.
What about Winter Fuel Payments?
Missing out on the Winter Fuel Payment this year and worried you’ll struggle to pay your bills? Apply to receive support from Octopus instead.
What additional support is on offer?
There's loads of different ways we can help. Have a read of our dedicated support blog, and if anything is unclear just get in touch.
What energy prices will I be paying?
Your energy prices depend on where you live and how you choose to pay.
Below, we've included a breakdown of all Flexible Octopus rates and charges by region and payment method.
Flexible Octopus prices for customers who pay by Direct Debit
Flexible Octopus prices for customers who pay by other methods (i.e standard credit)
Flexible Octopus prices for Prepayment customers
Why do prices vary based on location and payment method?
It costs us more to supply energy to some areas depending on things like proximity to generators, cost of maintaining local networks and more.
The same is true with different payment methods – for example, it costs suppliers more to administer and manage accounts that don't pay by Direct Debit, so Ofgem factors that into their Price Cap.
Managing your direct debit amount
The best way to understand our suggested payment amount is to look at your Balance Forecast. We built this handy tool to show you exactly how much we expect you'll spend on energy over the next year based on your tariff prices and typical energy consumption (which we work out based on years of your meter reading data).
What if I think Octopus' payment suggestion is wrong? You can change your own payment online and via our app. If you are already in debt and try to reduce your direct debit we recommend you give us a call and we can give you a hand.
Want a quick reminder of why we set your payments to a smooth amount year round? Watch our quick explainer video:
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does the energy price cap affect me?
If you’re on a variable tariff, like our Flexible Octopus, the Ofgem Price Cap protects the price you pay.
The price cap specifically applies to variable tariffs because they aren’t fixed against the volatility in the energy markets. Different suppliers can refer to these tariffs in a number of ways; standard variable tariff (SVT), non-fixed, etc. At Octopus our variable energy tariff is called Flexible Octopus.
If you’d like to confirm which tariff you're on, and details like your current prices and contract dates, you can see them on your online account (scroll a little way down and look at the details below your property address).
You can read more about the energy price cap and whether it affects you on Ofgem’s website.
I'm on a flexible tariff right now, should I choose a fixed tariff?
Our Octopus 15M Fixed tariff is currently £1,656 per year for a typical home, and has no exit fees. This means if prices continue to fall, you can simply choose another tariff in your online account.
We can't really say whether it would be the best choice for you; it's best to compare rates for your area online and see if it would save you money.
I’m on a fixed tariff right now, what happens when it ends?
If you’re on a fixed tariff, the first thing to know is that the price cap doesn’t affect your current energy contract.
We’ll always email you in advance of your fixed tariff coming to an end.
If you’d like to confirm your current prices and contract dates, you can see them on your online account (scroll a little way down and look at the details below your property address) or on any PDF energy statement. It’s usually on the second page, near the top of the breakdown for your electricity and / or gas charges for the period.
How could I get energy £80 cheaper by paying by Direct Debit?
Our Flexible tariff will have slightly different unit rates and standing charges based on your payment method. The £80 isn’t a flat discount for Direct Debit customers (or a charge on non-Direct Debit customers) – it’s the typical savings an average home could see over a year on the cheaper Direct Debit dual-fuel rates.
If you change how you pay, our system will pick that up and adjust your rates automatically, so if you don’t have a Direct Debit right now, it’s super easy to access the cheapest prices. All you need to do is set up a Direct Debit online and we’ll do the rest.
Why are tariffs sometimes cheaper if I pay by Direct Debit?
Not having a Direct Debit costs us a lot more in admin.
We don't think it's fair to make everyone cover that extra cost, so we do offer a cheaper rate for those who choose to pay by Direct Debit, which costs us less to manage.
Is the £1,717 figure from Ofgem the maximum price I will pay for energy?
No: this figure is not the absolute maximum a customer could pay.
If you’re affected by the price cap, the protection you receive is relative to how much energy you use.
Ofgem calculates the price cap based on the yearly usage of a typical medium consumption home (that's 2,700 kWh of electricity and 11,500 kWh gas per year). It represents the maximum amount Ofgem considers fair for energy suppliers to charge customers on variable tariffs.
This figure is used by suppliers to apply the price caps protection against each customer's actual usage. Put simply: if you use more - or less - energy than that typical home, your own yearly energy costs on a tariff priced at the maximum rates may be higher - or lower - than that £1,717 figure from Ofgem.
What are the actual maximum unit rates and standing charges of the energy price cap?
The price cap sets a maximum rate for:
- Energy units: the price suppliers can charge variable tariff customers per unit of gas and electricity you use
- Daily standing charges: the price suppliers can charge per day for ongoing costs, like paying the companies who manage distribution networks, operating costs, etc.
Ofgem have shared that on average - for customers paying by direct debit - the unit rates (inc. VAT) will be:
Electric:
- 24.50p / kWh
- 60.99p / day
Gas:
- 6.24p / kWh
- 31.66p / day
Important: these are averaged figures from across all regions in the UK. As certain costs vary, e.g. what transmission network fees we pay in an area, the actual maximum unit rate varies depending on region. There are other factors too: different maximum rates for Economy 7 tariffs (which have a day and a night price) and prepayment meters.
You can see Ofgem's figures on the price cap standing charges and unit rates here.
Published on 10th September 2024 by:
Hey I'm Constantine, welcome to Octopus Energy!
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