Turn up the heat on your energy suppliers – how to beat price rises

As household bills are set to go up again, experts share tips on how to keep on top of costs and source help if you are struggling to pay for gas and electricity

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Households across Britain are facing another energy bill increase from October 1 after the regulator raised its price cap by two percent.

Ofgem's price cap — which sets a maximum rate per unit and standing charge that can be billed to customers for their energy use - will rise to £1,755 from the current £1,720 for an average household per year, an extra £2.93 a month, over the three-month period of the price cap.

Why is the price cap rising?

The price cap is usually driven up or down based on the wholesale costs of energy but it is different this time.

Ofgem says this price cap increase is driven by an increase in electricity "balancing costs" - incurred by network operators to ensure a stable electricity supply, for when there is both too much power and too little power in the system, with the level set by the National Electricity System Operator. This is adding £1.23 a month to the average household bill.

Other factors include costs associated with the extension of the Warm Home Discount scheme, adding another £1.42 a month.