A kWh, or kilowatt hour, is the standard unit of energy used to measure gas and electricity consumption on a bill. It represents the energy used by a one-kilowatt appliance running for one hour, and is the quantity suppliers charge the unit rate against.
Economy 7 is an electricity tariff that charges two unit rates across the day, a cheaper rate for seven off-peak night hours and a dearer rate during the day. It suits homes that can shift consumption, such as storage heating, into the night period.
A SMETS2 smart meter is the second-generation smart meter used in Great Britain that sends meter readings automatically to any supplier over a shared national network. It keeps its smart functions when a household switches supplier, unlike the earlier SMETS1 design.
The key figure is 84.5p. Dual fuel is a single energy contract covering both gas and electricity from one supplier. In 2026, the typical dual fuel bill under the price cap is £1,663. It simplifies billing but does not guarantee a cheaper deal.
The energy price cap sets a maximum unit rate and standing charge for standard variable tariffs. From October to December 2026, the cap for a typical dual fuel household is £1,723 per year. This is not a saving or discount; it is the benchmark annual cost for average energy use.
A unit rate is the price an energy supplier charges for each kilowatt hour of gas or electricity consumed, shown in pence per kWh. It is the variable part of an energy bill that rises and falls with how much energy a household uses.
A standing charge is a fixed daily fee on an energy bill that covers the cost of supplying gas or electricity to a property, regardless of how much energy is used. It is charged every day, even when consumption is zero.
UK energy supplier complaints statistics for 2026: Energy Ombudsman complaint volumes and categories, Citizens Advice supplier star ratings, Ofgem enforcement fines and complaint rates by supplier, every figure cited inline.
In 2026, the average UK energy bill is £1,723, according to Ofgem's price cap for October to December. This typical annual dual fuel bill applies to households paying by direct debit with average consumption. The figure is 4% higher than the previous quarter's cap of £1,663.
How much electricity a typical UK solar panel system generates, what affects performance such as orientation and shading, how the Smart Export Guarantee pays for exported power, MCS certification and typical payback periods.
How the Energy Ombudsman works, when you can complain after eight weeks or a deadlock letter, what it covers, the free and independent process, the compensation it can award and how suppliers must implement decisions.
How Economy 7 tariffs and storage heaters work, the off-peak overnight hours, running costs compared with gas, the difference between old and modern dynamic storage heaters, and alternatives such as heat pumps.
How ScottishPower operates in the UK, its tariffs under the Ofgem price cap, customer service contacts, the complaints process and Energy Ombudsman escalation, green tariff claims, smart meters and how to switch supplier.
How EDF Energy operates in the UK, its tariff structure under the price cap, customer service contacts, the complaints process and escalation to the Energy Ombudsman, smart meters and how to switch supplier.
How to convert gas meter readings from cubic metres (m3) or cubic feet to kWh in the UK. The exact formula used by energy suppliers, calorific value, volume correction factor and worked examples.
The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) is being switched off in stages from June 2025. What RTS meters are, who is affected, what happens to Economy 7 heating and hot water, and how to get a free smart meter upgrade.
The energy price cap sets maximum unit rates for default tariff customers. This guide covers current price cap levels, how the cap has changed since 2021 and what it means for household energy bills.
Energy tariffs differ on unit rates, standing charges, contract length and exit fees. This guide explains how to compare UK energy tariffs, what fixed vs variable means and what Ofgem rules apply.
The Ofgem energy price cap limits the unit rates and standing charges suppliers can charge on default tariffs. This guide explains how the price cap works, who it applies to and how it is calculated.
Switching energy supplier in the UK is straightforward. Compare tariffs, check exit fees, and let the new supplier handle the switch. The process takes up to 21 days. For 2026, the typical annual bill under the price cap is £1,723 from October to December.
El Nino is a periodic warming of equatorial Pacific waters that reshapes global weather patterns. The Met Office and the Bank of England track its effects on the UK because they pass through to household energy demand, food import prices and overall inflation.
Around 25% of the world's seaborne oil and 20% of LNG normally pass through the Strait of Hormuz. With shipping largely blocked since 28 February 2026, UK households face higher pump prices, a delayed energy price cap response, and a pass through into wider goods inflation.
UK energy bills are being shaped by the Ofgem price cap and Middle East oil and gas disruption in summer 2026. Here is what households need to know about the current cap, typical bills, and whether to fix.
Ofgem confirmed on 27 May 2026 that the energy price cap rises 13% from 1 July, taking typical bills from £1,641 to £1,862. Gas rates up 24%, electricity up 5%.
Octopus Energy Tenant Power tariff cuts social housing electricity bills by up to £200 a year using solar panels and battery storage. Expanded to Wales 28 May 2026. Target: 10,000 homes by end of 2026.
Switching from the cap to a competitive fixed tariff before 1 July could save a typical household around £250 a year. Here are the deals on offer and how to compare them accurately.
Energy bills rise from 1 July when the Ofgem cap goes up 13 per cent. Here are seven practical steps households can take to soften the impact through tariffs, consumption changes and support schemes.
Customers of Octopus, British Gas and E.ON have been warned to review fixed tariffs against the July price cap. Here is how to check the underlying rates against the regulator's figures.
EDF Energy has confirmed a smart meter promotion offering up to £80 of free electricity to eligible customers. Here is what the offer covers and the conditions attached.
The Ofgem default tariff cap rises 13 per cent on 1 July 2026, adding about £209 to the typical annual dual-fuel bill. Here is what the new cap level means by household type.
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