Overview

• The regulated cap for a typical dual‑fuel household increases from £1,720 to £1,755 on October 1, a 2% rise set by Ofgem.
• Consumer groups and MoneySavingExpert urge households without working smart meters to give a reading on or around October 1 to avoid estimated charges, with a dated meter photo recommended for any disputes.
• Martin Lewis advises non‑smart electricity prepayment users to top up before the change to retain current rates for longer, noting some firms such as Scottish Power may reclaim the difference.
• Brokers say around 22 million customers on standard variable tariffs could save about £215 a year by switching to under‑cap fixed deals, with examples including Outfox Energy’s 12‑month fix at roughly £1,540.
• A switch can take up to 21 days including cooling‑off, though suppliers in the Energy Switch Guarantee can complete moves within five working days, so savings may not take effect before the cap change.