Ofgem's energy price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026 is £1,723 a year for a typical dual-fuel household paying by Direct Debit, a 4% increase from the previous cap period. Ofgem announced the change on 26 August. This annualised illustration covers England, Scotland and Wales; it is not a maximum total bill and does not apply to Northern Ireland. The cap limits unit rates and standing charges on covered default tariffs. Read Ofgem's announcement.

What to put in a moving budget

Use the tariff information for the new address. Ofgem's published unit rates and standing charges vary by region and payment method, while your total depends on how much energy you use. Check the supplier's terms if you are on, or considering, a fixed tariff. Ofgem's rates page explains the current regional figures.

For a moving household, a useful working budget starts with the property itself. Note the heating fuel, number of people, time spent at home and any change in the size of the home. Ask which supplier currently serves the address and obtain the actual tariff details. Enter your own estimate in the new home running-cost budget, alongside the other bills you expect. Label an estimate clearly until you can replace it with actual usage or a supplier quotation.

Make the energy handover part of moving day

Set aside a few minutes at each property for a clear record. Photograph the meter display and note the reading, date and meter identifier where visible. Keep readings for each register on a multi-rate meter. The moving meter reading record helps you organise the information in one place.

  • Before moving, ask your current supplier what it needs to close or transfer your account.
  • On departure, retain the final readings and the date you left.
  • On arrival, record the opening readings and contact the supplier serving the new home.
  • When bills arrive, compare the opening and closing details with your saved records and raise discrepancies promptly.

If you will be responsible for two homes for part of the move, add a separate overlap line to your moving budget. That makes the handover period easier to see than assuming every household bill switches on the same day.

For a move to Northern Ireland, obtain information from the supplier for the new address; the Great Britain price-cap headline above is not the applicable tariff.