October 01, 2026 - 205 views
Households across North Wales are being urged to take a fresh look at their energy bills as the price cap rises by four per cent from today.
The typical annual household bill increases from £1,663 to £1,723, adding around £60 a year for a household using the amount of energy covered by the typical figure.
With colder weather approaching, the Money and Pensions Service is encouraging households to check their tariff, how they pay and how much energy they are actually using.
One of the simplest steps is to check your latest bill and submit an up-to-date meter reading. This can make sure bills are based on actual usage rather than estimates. Households can also compare tariffs to see whether another deal could reduce their costs.
Paying by Direct Debit can also be cheaper than some other payment methods and can help spread the cost of energy throughout the year.
There are also straightforward ways to reduce energy use, including using appliances on eco settings, only running washing machines and dishwashers with full loads, switching off lights and electrical equipment when they are not needed, and reducing heat loss with curtains and draught excluders.
For households in North Wales with flexible or time-of-use tariffs, it is also worth checking whether electricity is cheaper at particular times of the day. Some tariffs offer lower rates during off-peak periods, although the savings depend on the individual deal and how much electricity is used.
Anyone worried about paying their bills is being encouraged to contact their energy supplier early, rather than waiting for arrears to build up.
The Money and Pensions Service's free MoneyHelper service provides guidance for people struggling with energy bills and has a benefits calculator which can help households check whether they could be entitled to additional financial support.
Lilly Aaron, Senior Policy Manager at the Money and Pensions Service, said rising energy costs can be particularly worrying as the colder weather arrives, and encouraged people to check their tariff, usage and meter readings.
She also urged anyone struggling with payments to speak to their energy supplier as early as possible about the support available.
For households across North Wales, the message is to check before the winter bills start to build up – a few changes to how energy is bought and used could help keep costs under control.
