Energy price cap switches tonight: check your new rates and submit a meter reading

Ofgem's new default tariff cap takes effect from Wednesday, 1 October 2025, to Tuesday, 1 December 2025. The regulator sets a typical annual bill at £1,755 for a dual-fuel household paying by Direct Debit, up approximately 2% from July to September.

The cap limits unit rates and standing charges, not your total bill, which still depends on your usage.

For the period from October to December, Ofgem's explainer lists average example rates of 26.35p per kWh for electricity, with a daily standing charge of 53.6p, and 6.29p per kWh for gas, with a daily standing charge of 34.03p.

Actual prices vary by region, payment method and company. Ofgem has published the full regional tables, allowing you to look up the exact unit rate and standing charge for your location.

If you're on a standard variable tariff and don't have a smart meter, submitting a meter reading tonight helps ensure that usage up to the 30th of September is billed at the outgoing rates.

As the Guardian reported last week, "millions of Britons risk overpaying on their energy bills if they fail to submit meter readings before the upcoming price cap increase on October 1st." Smart readers usually send readings automatically.

What to check this evening:

First, locate your region and payment type in Ofgem's tables, and note the new unit rates and standing charges that take effect tomorrow.

Second, record and submit your electricity and gas readings through your supplier's app or account by midnight, then keep a photo of the submission for your own records.

Third, if your supplier provides a next-day confirmation, verify that it displays today's date (30/09/25) so that your opening balance rolls over cleanly at the price change. These are standard billing steps tied to the cap change rather than recommendations to switch tariff.

Ofgem has also published a short news note that lets you compare July to September rates with those for October to December at a glance. If you need a refresher on how the cap works or what "typical use" means, the regulator's explainer provides clear explanations in plain terms.

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