Ben Gallizzi

England

Senior Content Editor at Uswitch

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Articles

300,000 homes at risk from imminent RTS electricity meter switch-off

4 days ago | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

Homes with meters that still use RTS could be left with electricity that can’t be turned on or off, but in many cases they’re waiting for suppliers to reach them in order to replace them with more modern meters. RTS was introduced in the 1980s and is only now being retired because it can’t be properly maintained. It’s a multi-rate meter that enables customers to get cheaper night-time rates for their electricity when it’s used for heating and hot water.
Energy price cap to drop to £1,720 in July 2025

2 weeks ago | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

Ofgem has today announced that the energy price cap for July 2025 will be set at £1,720 per year for average usage households paying by Direct Debit. This is a significant drop of 7% and will be welcome news for customers on standard variable tariffs who are affected by the price cap rising and falling.
Energy bill defaults reach historic highs, ONS data shows

3 weeks ago | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published figures showing that a record number of UK households defaulted on their energy bills (paid by direct debit) in April because they didn’t have enough money in their accounts. Statistics show that 2.7% of payments were defaulted, which is the highest number since the ONS’s records began in early 2019.
Energy price cap increases to £1,849: what can customers do?

2 months ago | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

The previously announced energy price cap increase from £1,738 to £1,849 comes into effect today. What are the implications for customers? Which customers are affected by the price cap? The price cap affects customers who aren’t on fixed energy deals. They might be on a “variable”, “standard” or “standard variable” deal which are all the same thing. Their unit rates and standing charges change every three months when the price cap changes and can go up or down. Is it cheaper to be on a fixed deal?
Over nine million households urged to read energy meters before 1 April

2 months ago | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “With the price cap rising on 1 April, it’s important to submit a meter reading to avoid paying higher rates on any energy that you don’t need to. “Now is also an ideal time to look at switching to a new energy tariff. By opting for a fixed deal, you’re locking in those rates for the duration – which means households could have price certainty and avoid the ups and downs of the price cap.
Up to 170,000 homes to benefit from energy efficiency upgrades under the Warm Homes Plan

2 months ago | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

Up to 170,000 low income households and social housing tenants will benefit from £1.8 billion allocated by the government to pay for energy efficiency upgrades under its Warm Homes Plan. As of 11 March 2025, the money will be allocated to local authorities and social housing providers to help with the installation of measures including insulation, solar panels and heat pumps. This will make homes more energy-efficient and bring energy bills down.
Energy customers living near new pylons could receive annual £250 discount on energy bills

Mar 10, 2025 | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

People living near electricity pylons that are newly built or upgraded could receive £250 per year off their energy bills under new government plans. As part of the push towards sustainable energy generation (reducing the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels), new electricity pylons and substations must be built and existing infrastructure upgraded. Households within half a kilometre of any new or upgraded infrastructure projects could receive up to £2,500 over 10 years.
Energy price cap to increase by 6.4% to £1,849

Feb 25, 2025 | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

Ofgem has today announced that the energy price cap for April will be set at £1,849 per year for average usage households paying by Direct Debit. This is an increase of 6.4% and a third consecutive increase for customers on variable tariffs. The price cap has risen again because of various factors including cold temperatures and low gas storage across Europe, coupled with the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe.
Ofgem launches consultation for launch of lower standing charge tariffs

Feb 20, 2025 | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

Ofgem has announced the launch of a consultation over its proposed introduction of low or no standing charge tariffs. The consultation runs until March 2025 and gives companies within the energy industry the opportunity to provide opinions on the potential changes.
April energy price cap may cost UK homes £2.8 billion more per year

Feb 10, 2025 | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

Research from Uswitch has found that the new energy price cap, to be announced in February and come into effect from April 2025, could cost households around the UK nearly £3 billion in higher energy costs. The 26 million households on the standard variable (or “default”) tariffs affected by the price cap rising and falling could see their bills rise around £109 per year on average, with another increase currently predicted for July. Why are energy prices rising?