Our Chief Exec, Peter Owen, was on BBC Radio Merseyside this morning (Friday, 23rd May), chatting with Tony Snell about the announcement from OFGEM (the energy regulator) that the Price Cap is coming down from the 1st of July.

Peter stressed the fact that our energy usage tends to be lower during the summer anyway, so it’s a good idea for us to try wherever possible, to put some of these cost savings aside, to help with the forthcoming Winter period.

This is particularly important for prepay meter users, some of whom might not top-up their gas meter until Autumn. They should ensure they’re at least covering any daily standing charge now, so they don’t fall into debt. Any additional top-ups would help make costs more affordable over the colder months. 

Listen on catchup here, starting from 50 minutes: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002c97n

Excerpts from OFGEM’s full press release are as follows:

Between 1 July and 30 September 2025, the energy price cap is set at £1,720 per year for a typical household who use electricity and gas and pay by Direct Debit. This is a decrease of 7% compared to the cap set between 1 April to 30 June 2025 (£1,849).

The price cap is based on typical household energy use. Read how typical household energy use is worked out in our Average gas and electricity usage guidance.

The price cap also makes sure that prices for people on a standard variable tariff (default tariff) are fair and that they reflect the cost of energy.

You are covered by the price cap if you pay for your electricity and gas by either:

• standard credit (payment made when you get your electricity and gas bill)
• Direct Debit
• prepayment meter
• Economy 7 (E7) meter

Electricity and gas unit prices and standing charges, 1 July to 30 September 2025

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 5% VAT.    

Energy price cap standing charges and unit rates for your region

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.

Changes to costs between 1 July to 30 September 2025, payment by Direct Debit

Energy price cap level dates

The price cap level is reviewed every three months. The levels for the next periods will be announced by:

• 27 August 2025 – period 1 October 2025 to 31 December 2025  
• 25 November 2025 – period 1 January 2026 to 31 March 2026
• 25 February 2026 – period 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026  

Find out what you need to do before support for Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters switch off in 2025.

The technology that supports RTS electricity meters will switch off from 30 June 2025. Without the technology to tell RTS meters when to swap between peak and off-peak rates, they may no longer work properly, and it may mean that a consumer’s heating and hot water supply stops functioning as normal.

If you have an RTS meter, your electricity supplier will get in touch to arrange an upgrade to a smart meter before this deadline.

They must make sure you have a suitable meter installed, and that your service is not disrupted.

We expect electricity suppliers to replace all RTS meters before the Radio Teleswitch Service technology ends.

Support to upgrade RTS electricity meters

We are working with energy suppliers, distribution network operators, consumer groups and others as part of the RTS Taskforce to support people with an RTS meter. Read more information about the RTS Taskforce.

If you have an RTS meter your electricity supplier will contact you to arrange an appointment to upgrade your electricity meter. You should arrange an upgrade of your meter to avoid losing heating or hot water after 30 June 2025.

Find out if you have an RTS meter

You may have an RTS meter if:

• your home has a separate switch box near your meter with a Radio Teleswitch label on it
• your home is heated using electricity or storage heaters
• there is no gas supply to your area, including households in rural areas and high-rise flats
• you get cheaper energy at different times of day, for example, you might be on an Economy 7, Economy 10, or Total Heat Total Control tariff

Get in touch with your electricity supplier if you’re still not sure which meter is in your home.

If you do not know who your supplier is, follow the steps on our find your energy supplier page. 

Contact your electricity supplier to upgrade your RTS meter

If you have an RTS meter in your home, view details on your electricity supplier’s website to upgrade your meter.

• Octopus
• SSE
• British Gas
• Ovo
• Scottish Power
• E
• E.On Next
• Ecotricity
• EDF Energy
• So Energy
• Utilia
• Outfox the Market
• Good Energy
• Sainsbury’s Energy
• Utility Warehouse

Upgrading to a smart meter

A smart meter will give you a similar service to your RTS meter. You’ll also get other benefits, including:

• electricity readings submitted automatically
• access to ‘smart meter only’ tariffs
• the ability to monitor your energy usage
• accurate bills based on the electricity you’ve used, not estimates

Find out more about getting a smart meter.

If you’re not able to upgrade

In some instances, your supplier may not be able to offer you a smart meter at the moment.

If this is the case, they must make sure you have a suitable meter installed, and that your service is not disrupted.

You should contact your supplier to understand the options available to you. 

If you do not want a smart meter

Upgrading to a smart meter is the best option for RTS customers. If you choose not to upgrade:

• your heating and hot water may be left continually on or off
• your electric storage heaters may charge at the wrong time of day, possibly leading to higher bills
• your supplier may be unable confirm your electricity usage during peak or off-peak times, and your electricity costs may be higher than before
• you’ll have a more limited choice of tariffs.

Talk to your supplier for more information.

If you have any questions or concerns that haven’t been addressed in this article, please call our Save Energy Advice Line free on 0800 043 0151, or email advice@epplus.org. Lines are open 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday (apart from Bank Holidays).