The regulator, Ofgem, reviews energy prices every 3 months. The prices are governed by previous weeks and so, just as we pay our bills in arrears at the end of each month, the prices reflect the costs in the previous weeks.
Energy prices drop for what you use but go up for the standing charges – unless you have a prepay meter.
At last those on prepay meters are being treated fairly with a levelling of their charges. However, the cost has been transferred to credit meter customers and so the new prices from April will be on average as follows.
Average Electricity rates If you are on a standard variable tariff (default tariff) & pay for your electricity by direct debit, you will pay on average 24.50 p/p/kWh. The daily standing charge is 60.10 p per day and includes VAT.
Average Gas rates If you are on a standard variable tariff (default tariff) and pay for your gas by direct debit , you will pay on average 6.04 p/p/kWh. The daily standing charge is 31.43 p per day includes VAT.
People on a prepayment meter who get their electricity and gas from the same supplier will save around £49 per year (£52 including VAT), but people who pay by Direct Debit will pay an extra £10 per year.
Average usage of Gas is 11,500 kWh and Elec 2,700 is kWh (medium sized household) Elec 3,900 kWh for Economy 7 customers – varies by region
Take a look at moneyhelper.org.uk if you are a vulnerable household.
You can pay by direct debit monthly in arrears paying for exactly what you have used. Please remember that you have to consider the higher bills in the winter but during the summer months your bills will be lower.