Energy price cap rises this October: prepare your heating for winter

With autumn underway and energy prices increasing, now is a good time to check your heating, review your consumption and address small problems before colder weather arrives.

Ofgem has announced a 4% increase in the domestic energy price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026. For a typical household using gas and electricity and paying by Direct Debit, the annualised illustration rises by £60 to £1,723.

This is not a maximum bill or the cost of the three-month period. It uses Ofgem’s updated typical consumption assumptions; your actual bill depends on your usage and tariff. Read Ofgem’s October–December 2026 price-cap announcement.

What does this mean for your bills?

The cap limits unit rates and standing charges on qualifying domestic default tariffs—not total spending. Business energy contracts are outside the domestic cap, while fixed tariffs have their own terms. See Ofgem’s explanation of the energy price cap and standing charges.

Check your supplier’s latest rates, whether readings are actual or estimated, and your annual consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Comparing usage alongside cost helps distinguish higher prices from increased consumption.

Five ways to reduce wasted energy

1. Review your heating schedule. Match it to your current routine and check the programmer’s clock. Avoid heating unnecessarily while retaining suitable comfort and frost protection.
2. Use controls thoughtfully. Turning the room thermostat higher does not warm the property faster. Smart heating controls can improve scheduling, but savings depend on your existing setup and habits. Read Energy Saving Trust’s heating-controls advice.
3. Reduce unwanted draughts. Suitable draught-proofing and insulation help retain warmth. Never block air bricks, extractor fans or ventilation required for appliances and healthy indoor air. Read Energy Saving Trust’s draught-proofing guidance.
4. Check before changing temperatures. Lower heating flow temperatures can help some condensing boilers operate efficiently, provided rooms remain warm. Stored hot water requires appropriate temperatures to control harmful bacteria. Follow your system’s instructions or ask an engineer. See Energy Saving Trust’s guidance on using heating controls and HSE’s guidance on hot-water temperature and legionella control.
5. Assess before replacing. A cold room may involve radiator sizing, controls, circulation or heat loss. Establish the cause before buying a new boiler, radiator or power flush.

Your autumn heating checklist

• Run the heating before a cold spell. Use the normal controls, allow time for the system to warm up and check that radiators and hot water perform as expected.
• Check pressure, where a gauge is fitted. Compare the reading with your appliance’s manual. Repeated pressure loss or frequent topping up needs investigation. See Worcester Bosch’s advice on recurring heating-system pressure loss.
• Look for visible leaks. Check accessible valves, exposed pipework and beneath the boiler for drips or staining. Do not remove the casing or touch wet electrical equipment.
• Notice changes. Recurring fault codes, lockouts, unusual noises, unreliable hot water or persistently cold radiators deserve a professional boiler repair assessment. Record when symptoms occur rather than repeatedly resetting the boiler.
• Review maintenance and alarms. Arrange boiler servicing in line with the manufacturer’s requirements. Gas work needs a Gas Safe registered engineer qualified for the appliance and fuel. Test carbon monoxide alarms and check replacement dates according to their instructions. Read Gas Safe Register’s winter safety factsheet (PDF).

These checks can highlight concerns, but they do not establish appliance safety or guarantee that a breakdown will never happen.

Advice for tenants, landlords and businesses

Tenants: report heating faults promptly to your landlord or managing agent and agree permission before arranging alterations.

Landlords: keep required annual gas safety checks and maintenance up to date. A gas safety check and a boiler service have different purposes; confirm what is included when booking. See HSE’s landlords’ gas safety responsibilities and maintenance guidance for gas appliances and flues.

Businesses: review contract renewal dates, rates and heating schedules against occupancy. Plan maintenance around operations while preserving ventilation, frost protection and suitable conditions for staff and visitors.

Struggling with bills? Contact your supplier early about affordable repayment arrangements and available assistance. See Ofgem’s advice for customers struggling with energy bills.

Key takeaways

• Understand your rates and consumption.
• Test your heating before winter.
• Investigate recurring faults early.
• Reduce waste while protecting warmth and safety.