Overview

• Ofgem says the typical dual‑fuel Direct Debit bill is set to increase from £1,720 to £1,755 a year in October.
• Households are advised to submit end‑of‑September meter readings, even with smart meters, to avoid usage being charged at the higher rate early.
• Shoppers are encouraged to compare tariffs via sites such as USwitch and consider cashback routes like TopCashback or Quidco for additional savings.
• Customers can review Direct Debit levels, request reductions if accounts hold large credits, or switch to Direct Debit to access potential discounts.
• Using off‑peak electricity, setting appliance timers, tapping supplier offers such as Octopus’s limited free‑energy hours, and sealing draughty doors with a quick 10‑second check can cut costs.