Frequently Asked Questions
Download the Ofgem cap extract cited on this page: energy-bill-statistics.csv (Ofgem public records · CC BY 4.0).
What is the current Ofgem energy price cap?
For July – September 2026, the Ofgem default tariff cap is £1,862 a year for a typical dual-fuel household (paying by direct debit, using 2,700 kWh of electricity and 11,500 kWh of gas). The cap is a limit on unit rates and standing charges, not a maximum bill, and is reset quarterly.
How often does the price cap change?
Ofgem updates the cap quarterly. New caps are published 6–8 weeks before their effective date. The Q1 cap (1 January start) is published in late November, Q2 (April) in late February, Q3 (July) in late May, and Q4 (October) in late August.
Why are standing charges so high?
Standing charges are a fixed daily fee you pay before using any energy. They rose steeply through the energy crisis and remain near record highs, the electricity standing charge alone is 57.19p/day this period. The increase reflects Supplier-of-Last-Resort cost recovery from the 2021–22 supplier failures, network costs, and policy levies. Because the charge is fixed, it falls hardest on low-usage households. Ofgem has consulted on reform.
Does the price cap apply if I have a fixed-rate deal?
No. The cap applies only to standard variable tariffs, the default if you have never switched or your fixed deal has ended. Fixed-rate deals can be priced above or below the prevailing cap; a competitive fixed deal is the main way to escape quarterly cap volatility.
Why does my region cost more than another?
Distribution-network costs vary by region, so Ofgem sets the cap separately for each of the 14 GB distribution regions. This period East Midlands is cheapest (£1,805) and Merseyside & North Wales is most expensive (£1,950) - a £145 gap for identical usage. You cannot change your region by switching supplier.
Where does PlainEnergyBills get its data?
We use Ofgem's published default tariff cap decisions, Ofgem's per-region cap rates, Ofgem's public supplier licensing register, and Ofgem's Typical Domestic Consumption Values. Sources are linked on each page and on the methodology page, and figures are refreshed each time Ofgem publishes a new quarterly cap.
Is PlainEnergyBills financial or energy-procurement advice?
No. PlainEnergyBills is an information-only resource. We explain the Ofgem framework, regional variations, and supplier dynamics but do not recommend specific suppliers or tariffs. For switching decisions consult a CMA-accredited price comparison service or Citizens Advice.
Every figure on PlainEnergyBills is rendered directly from Ofgem source data, no number is typed in by an editor. FAQ answers describe the Ofgem default-tariff-cap framework; numeric claims on entity pages are DB-sourced. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.