Energy price cap
The energy price cap is the maximum amount energy suppliers can charge you for each unit of energy if you're on a standard variable tariff.
Between 1 January to 31 March 2024 the energy price cap is set at £1,928 a year for a typical household who use gas and electricity and pay by Direct Debit.
The level of the energy price cap is based on typical household energy use and reflects recent falls in wholesale energy prices. Read about typical household energy use and how the price cap is calculated on our Average gas and electricity usage page.
Energy price cap for typical domestic consumption values (2023) between October 2023 to March 2024
The amount you pay will depend on actual household usage and where you live as well as meter and payment type. The figures above are based on the England, Scotland and Wales average for people who pay by Direct Debit and are on a standard variable tariff, also known as a default tariff.
Price for customers on a standard variable tariff (default tariff)
Figures are rounded to two decimal places and based on the England, Scotland and Wales average for people who pay by Direct Debit. These include VAT. The actual rates you are charged will depend on where you live, how you pay your bill and the type of meter you have. Get energy price cap standing charges and unit rates by region.
Energy price cap level dates
We review and update the price cap level every three months. The dates when the levels will be announced during the next year are:
- 1 April to 30 June 2024 level, announced by 23 February 2024
- 1 July to 30 September 2024 level, announced by 28 May 2024
- 1 October to 31 December 2024 level, announced by 27 August 2024
About the energy price cap
The price cap ensures that prices for people on default energy tariffs are fair and that they reflect the cost of energy. We update the level every three months to reflect changes in underlying costs as well as inflation.
The price cap does not limit your total bill, which depends on how much energy you use. The way you pay for your energy, where you live, your meter type and your consumption will affect your energy bill.
We monitor suppliers to make sure their default tariff rates do not go above the limit set by the energy price cap. Read more about how we protect these people in our energy price cap (default tariff) policy.
Eligibility
The cap is applied to customers on a default energy tariff including those who pay by Direct Debit, standard credit, prepayment meter, or who have an Economy 7 (E7) meter.
Support
If you’re worried about being able to pay your energy bill, contact your supplier as soon as possible. We work closely with energy companies to make sure they support you in any way they can.
For information on support including schemes, grants and benefits, see our page Get help if you cannot afford your energy bills.