What Happens to Your Energy Bill on 1 April 2026?
The Ofgem price cap drops on 1 April. Bills are going down. Here is exactly how much you will save, what is actually changing, and whether you need to do anything.
Quick answer
From 1 April 2026, the typical dual fuel bill falls from £1,758 to £1,641 per year.
- That is a saving of £117 per year or £9.75 per month
- Electricity unit rates drop 11% (27.69p to 24.67p/kWh)
- Gas unit rates drop 3.2% (5.93p to 5.74p/kWh)
- Combined standing charges fall from £328 to £315 per year (gas drops, electricity rises slightly)
Do I need to do anything?
It depends on your tariff type:
Standard variable tariff (SVT)
The price reduction happens automatically on 1 April. You do not need to contact your supplier or do anything. Most households in the UK are on the SVT.
Fixed deal
If you are on a fixed tariff, your rate stays the same until your deal ends. Check whether your fixed rate is above or below the new cap equivalent of £1,641/year. If you are paying more than the cap, it may be worth switching when your deal ends. If you are paying less, stay put.
Direct debit payments
If you pay by monthly direct debit, your supplier should adjust your payment downward to reflect the lower rates. Check this actually happens. Some suppliers are slow to reduce direct debits, which means you could build up credit you do not need to. Log into your account or call your supplier in April to make sure.
What is actually changing?
Here is a side-by-side comparison of Q1 2026 (January to March) and Q2 2026 (April to June) rates under the Ofgem price cap:
| Rate | Q1 2026 | Q2 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity unit rate | 27.69p/kWh | 24.67p/kWh | -11.0% |
| Gas unit rate | 5.93p/kWh | 5.74p/kWh | -3.2% |
| Electricity standing charge | 54.75p/day | 57.21p/day | +4.5% |
| Gas standing charge | 35.09p/day | 29.09p/day | -17.1% |
| Typical annual bill | £1,758 | £1,641 | -6.6% |
Note on standing charges
The electricity standing charge is actually going up by 4.5%, from 54.75p to 57.21p per day. This is the daily charge you pay regardless of how much energy you use. The gas standing charge drops significantly (17.1%), so overall standing charges fall from about £328 to £315 per year. The big savings come from the drop in unit rates, especially electricity.
Is it worth switching supplier before April?
Maybe. The new price cap sets the typical bill at £1,641. If you can find a fixed deal below that, it could be worth locking in — especially if prices are expected to rise again later in 2026.
Fixed deals protect you from future price rises, but they also lock you out of future drops. At the time of writing, some of the best fixed deals are just below the Q2 cap level, making them reasonable bets if you want certainty.
For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our guide to switching energy supplier.
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Will bills go up again after April?
Nobody knows for certain, but the early indicators suggest a slight rise in Q3 2026 (July to September). Cornwall Insight, the most widely cited energy forecaster, has suggested the cap could tick upward in the second half of 2026 due to wholesale gas price movements.
That said, forecasts change regularly. At this point last year, many forecasters expected higher prices than what actually materialised. The honest answer: take forecasts as directional indicators, not guarantees.
For the full picture on the price cap mechanism and how it works, see our energy price cap April 2026 explainer.
How to make the most of lower rates
Lower energy rates are good news, but they also change the maths on some home energy investments. Here is what to consider:
Check your home's efficiency
Lower rates do not change the fact that a poorly insulated home wastes energy. Use our postcode checker to see your EPC rating and what improvements would make the biggest difference.
Heat pumps and solar
The 11% drop in electricity rates makes heat pumps and solar panels slightly less financially attractive in the short term, since the savings per kWh are smaller. But grants still make them worthwhile: the £7,500 heat pump grant is still available, and solar panels still pay back in under 12 years even at lower rates.
Review what uses the most energy
If you want to maximise savings from lower rates, focus on the appliances and habits that use the most electricity. See our guide to what uses the most electricity in a typical UK home.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to energy bills in April 2026?
The Ofgem price cap drops 6.6%. The typical dual fuel bill falls from £1,758 to £1,641 per year. Electricity unit rates drop 11% and gas unit rates drop 3.2%.
Will my energy bill go down in April 2026?
If you are on a standard variable tariff, yes — automatically. If you are on a fixed deal, your rate stays the same until your deal ends. Check whether your fixed rate is above or below the new cap.
Do I need to do anything when energy prices change in April?
If you are on a standard variable tariff, no — the change happens automatically. But if you pay by direct debit, check that your supplier reduces your monthly payment to match the lower rates.
Will energy bills go up again after April 2026?
Possibly. Cornwall Insight forecasts suggest the cap could rise slightly in Q3 2026. Wholesale gas prices are the main driver. Nobody can predict energy prices with certainty.
Is it worth switching energy supplier before April 2026?
If you can find a fixed deal below £1,641 per year, it could be worth locking in. This protects you if the cap rises later in 2026. Compare deals using a switching site and check whether the fixed rate beats the new cap.
Check your home's energy efficiency
Lower energy prices help, but an efficient home saves even more. Enter your postcode to see your EPC rating, recommended improvements, and which grants you could claim.
Check your home →Sources
- Ofgem — Q2 2026 price cap announcement
- Cornwall Insight — Price cap forecasts