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Changes to the energy price cap
Ofgem
has announced a change to the energy price cap effective from 1 April. The energy price cap is reviewed every
three months by Ofgem, and this sets a limit on how much you can be charged per unit of gas and electricity.
Don’t forget, what you pay will always depend on how much energy you use.
We’ll be in touch to let you know exactly how this impacts your prices. You’ll hear from us regularly as things
change, so you always know what’s happening with your energy costs.
We know lots of people are still struggling to afford their energy. We’ve got lots of resources full of
support options and advice available
if you're finding it difficult.
FAQs
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Who sets and reviews the energy price cap?
Ofgem is the independent regulator responsible for calculating the energy price cap, and it is the sole decision maker. We then review our prices to make sure what you’re paying is in line with the price cap Ofgem sets.
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How is the price cap set?
Ofgem bases its price cap on the amount it costs energy suppliers to buy and deliver gas and electricity to their customers.
This means the price cap accounts for things like buying gas and electricity, maintaining pipes, power lines and meters, and suppliers’ operating costs.
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Is the energy price cap an absolute cap on energy costs?
No - what you pay will always depend on your usage. So we’ll do everything we can to help you keep costs down. Remember, if you’re worried about paying for your energy, we’ve got lots of support options and advice available on our website.
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I have a legacy prepay meter - will my prices change in April?
Yes, all customers will see a decrease from 1 April, including those with legacy prepayment meters. Your meter will update to the new lower rates the first time you top up on or after that date.
You’ll need to top-up with your Utilita key/card. If you need a new key/card or you’ve not got a Utilita key/card, visit our Top-Up Card help page. -
I'm a Pay As You Go customer - does this mean I pay more for my energy?
No! Pay As You Go customers don’t have more expensive tariffs just because of the way they choose to pay for their energy.
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Why do energy prices rise and fall?
Energy prices are affected by many factors, including energy policy, current affairs and weather patterns. Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have driven up gas prices, for example, by disrupting energy infrastructure.
What other support can I access if I’m struggling to pay?
The first step is to inform us as soon as possible. Don’t suffer in silence; we might be able to assist you immediately over the phone.
Our website offers a variety of resources for those who are struggling, including details about the Priority Services Register (PSR) and tips on how to make simple, free changes at home to reduce energy wastage and costs.
How we’re helping customers through the ongoing cost-of-living crisis
Despite government support, we understand that you may still face challenges in affording the energy you need. This is why we continue to do all we can to help customers, including:
- Financial support: Utilita has funded more than £80 million in additional support for customers since the onset of the cost-of-living crisis.
- Social discount advocacy: Utilita is lobbying for a social discount to provide financial support directly to smart prepayment balances and bills during the winter months.
- Extra Care Team: A dedicated team is available to serve customers on the Priority Services Register.
- Innovative technology: Utilita offers trailblazing technology such as POWER UP allowing customers to self-serve interest-free account credits.
- Energy Hubs: Expanding our high street Energy Hubs to offer face-to-face advice on energy usage, affordability, and energy-saving tips to everyone, not just Utilita customers.
- Energy-saving campaigns: Promoting award-winning, cost-free methods for saving energy at home through initiatives like Energy High 5.
- Third-party support: Directing customers in financial difficulty to free and confidential third-party support services.
- Charitable partnerships: Working closely with charity partner Utilita Giving to support customers out of food and fuel poverty indefinitely.
- Benefit entitlement checks: Maximising customer incomes by conducting benefits entitlement checks, resulting in over £1.2 million in unclaimed benefits secured for Utilita households in 2024 alone.
Getting support from us
We offer a wide range of options if you require financial help, as well as general advice on lowering your spend through energy efficiency.
Our Extra Care teams
In response to the cost-of-living crisis, we have doubled the size of our Extra Care team. Several benefits are available to vulnerable customers including account credits (terms apply) and tailored energy efficiency advice.
POWER UP
Our best-in-class POWER UP feature on the My Utilita app allows you to apply for a top-up of up to £25 for electric and £25 for gas credit at the tap of a finger when you’ve run out of credit and need to get back on supply.
Learn moreFace-to-face support!
If you want to talk face-to-face, no problem! Utilita is the only energy supplier with a national network of high street Energy Hubs.
Learn moreGovernment support schemes
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount Scheme gives a one-off payment of £150 to help with winter energy costs for those living on a low income or pension.
Learn moreCost-of-Living Payment
A £650 payment will be made to more than eight million low-income households who receive Universal Credit, tax credits, pension credit and other means-tested benefits.
Learn moreSave energy. Save money.
Knowledge is power
Make simple changes to the way you use energy at home and save £££s with our award-winning, national Energy High 5 campaign.
Learn moreKnow the score
Our Smart Score app feature measures your energy efficiency, based on how it’s used at home. Visualised into a star rating, you’ll get personalised energy advice to help improve it too.
Learn moreTip, tip, hooray!
Get daily energy-saving tips and much, much more besides – including quizzes and exclusive competitions – by joining the thousands of customers who already benefit from our Utilita Community.
Learn more