Key findings
Executive summary
The Ofgem default tariff cap has been remarkably stable since late 2024. It ranges between £1,568 and £1,928 a year across confirmed quarters, with an average of £1,729.
- Q3 2026 cap: £1,690 a year for typical dual-fuel direct-debit use – £238 below the Q1 2024 high of £1,928.
- The lowest confirmed quarter was Q3 2024 at £1,568; the cap has risen in 5 of 10 quarterly moves.
- Our dataset carries a provisional Q4 2026 figure of £1,717 – treat it as indicative until Ofgem confirms it.
- Local bills differ from the headline: modelled annual energy costs run from £1,643 (Melton) to £1,963 (Belfast) because regional rates and standing charges vary.
The price cap timeline
The cap is Ofgem’s limit on the unit rates and standing charges suppliers may charge on standard variable and default tariffs, expressed for a typical household using 2,700 kWh of electricity and 11,500 kWh of gas a year. It is not a cap on your total bill: use more and you pay more.
View chart data as a table
| Category | Annual cap (£) |
|---|---|
| Q1 2024 | £1,928 |
| Q2 2024 | £1,690 |
| Q3 2024 | £1,568 |
| Q4 2024 | £1,717 |
| Q1 2025 | £1,738 |
| Q2 2025 | £1,849 |
| Q3 2025 | £1,717 |
| Q4 2025 | £1,738 |
| Q1 2026 | £1,738 |
| Q2 2026 | £1,641 |
| Q3 2026 | £1,690 |
| Q4 2026 (prov.) | £1,717 |
| Quarter | Annual cap | Change (£) | Change (%) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2024 | £1,928 | – | – | Confirmed |
| Q2 2024 | £1,690 | −£238 | −12.3% | Confirmed |
| Q3 2024 | £1,568 | −£122 | −7.2% | Confirmed |
| Q4 2024 | £1,717 | +£149 | +9.5% | Confirmed |
| Q1 2025 | £1,738 | +£21 | +1.2% | Confirmed |
| Q2 2025 | £1,849 | +£111 | +6.4% | Confirmed |
| Q3 2025 | £1,717 | −£132 | −7.1% | Confirmed |
| Q4 2025 | £1,738 | +£21 | +1.2% | Confirmed |
| Q1 2026 | £1,738 | £0 | 0.0% | Confirmed |
| Q2 2026 | £1,641 | −£97 | −5.6% | Confirmed |
| Q3 2026 | £1,690 | +£49 | +3.0% | Confirmed |
| Q4 2026 | £1,717 | +£27 | +1.6% | Provisional |
Provisional figures are indicative only and may differ from Ofgem’s final announcement.
Why your bill differs from the headline
Across 361 councils the median modelled annual energy cost is £1,678. Regional rates and standing charges explain most of the gap: Northern Ireland has the highest regional median at £1,963, while East Midlands has the lowest at £1,643.
View chart data as a table
| Category | Median annual energy cost (£) |
|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | £1,963 |
| South West | £1,728 |
| Wales | £1,719 |
| North West | £1,704 |
| North East | £1,690 |
| Scotland | £1,688 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | £1,681 |
| South East | £1,678 |
| East of England | £1,673 |
| West Midlands | £1,667 |
| London | £1,659 |
| East Midlands | £1,643 |
What can households do?
Because the cap is a ceiling for default tariffs, fixed deals and supplier choice can still change what you pay. Three practical levers matter most: your tariff, your payment structure, and how much heat your home loses.
Cut the units, not just the rate
The cap fixes the price per unit; efficiency lowers the number of units. An Energy Performance Certificate shows where a property is losing heat and which upgrades usually pay back first.
Methodology & data sources
Cap values are taken from the Ofgem default-tariff price cap series held in the Cost Saver benchmark catalogue (Ofgem / Official Energy Cap Determinations), validated automatically (last validation 2026-10-01) and reviewed 2026-08-24. Regional and council energy costs apply the Ofgem typical domestic consumption values to the Ofgem Q3 2026 Default Price Cap (1 July - 30 September 2026), including regional standing charges. Figures marked provisional are not yet confirmed by Ofgem. This is information, not financial advice.
- Ofgem – Energy price capSeries reviewed 2026-08-24View source
- Ofgem – Q3 2026 default tariff cap (regional)Ofgem Q3 2026 Default Price Cap (1 July - 30 September 2026)
- ONS – Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (burden calculation)ONS ASHE Table 8.7a (October 2025)View source
Cost Saver Deep Dives provide general information, not regulated financial advice. Figures are benchmarks and illustrations; check current terms with providers before acting.
