Energy price calculator - see how much more you'll pay from today

From today (October 1), a typical household in England, Scotland and Wales will see energy bills rise by around £2.93 a month, as the new autumn price cap comes into effect. The cap, which will be in place until December 31, has been raised by 2% from Wednesday, representing an increase of around £2.93 a month for the average household, Ofgem said.

Ofgem said the increase means for an average household paying by Direct Debit for gas and electricity, the overall bill will be £1,755 per year, up an additional £35.

However, the press release, published on August 27, said the latest figures showed that over a third of customers (37%) were on fixed tariffs at the time, meaning they would be protected from the cap increase.

It sets the cap, which establishes a maximum price that energy suppliers can charge consumers in England, Scotland and Wales for each kilowatt hour (kWh) of energy they use, every three months. The cap is largely based on the cost of energy on wholesale markets.

However, it doesn't limit total bills, as householders still have to pay for the amount of energy they consume.

Ofgem said it continues to urge people to see whether they're suitable for a fixed tariff, which it said at the time could save consumers more than £200 compared to the price cap level.

It said that changing payment methods from standard credit to Direct Debit can also help reduce costs, adding that eight million customers were still paying by standard credit at the time.

You can estimate how much your bill will increase using our energy bills calculator below.

Ofgem said it has also brought in rules it says will ensure "anyone struggling with their bills gets the help they need from their supplier".

"That could include tailored repayment plans, which can help households regain control and avoid falling further behind, or providing emergency credit to reduce the risk of self-disconnection."

In a previous statement Tim Jarvis, Director General, Markets at Ofgem, said: "While there is still more to do, we are seeing signs of a healthier market. There are more people on fixed tariffs saving themselves money, switching is rising as options for consumers increase, and we've seen increases in customer satisfaction, alongside a reduction in complaints.

"While today's change is below inflation, we know customers might not be feeling it in their pockets. There are things you can do though - consider a fixed tariff as this could save more than £200 against the new cap. Paying by Direct Debit or smart pay as you go could also save you money.

"In the longer term, we will continue to see fluctuations in our energy prices until we are insulated from volatile international gas markets. That's why we continue to work with government and the sector to diversify our energy mix to reduce the reliance on markets we do not control."

However, charities have warned about the impact it could have on households. Simon Trevethick, head of communications at debt charity StepChange said: "Not only will people find they are having to switch on their heating now as the weather turns colder, but bills are also set to go up this month, which is another blow to household finances," he added.

"Energy arrears are the most common type of debt across household bills that we see at StepChange, and people have had little respite from steep costs over the past three years."

He added: "For anyone who is struggling or worried about energy bills, there is support available out there - contact your supplier, check to see if you're eligible for any grants, and of course you can always get in touch with an organisation like StepChange."

An Ofgem spokesperson said: "The current levels of energy debt are unsustainable, and this is a challenge that requires action from everyone - the regulator, government, and industry alike.

"We're working at pace on plans to introduce a debt relief scheme that could help struggling households get back on track and rectify some of the debt that built up during the energy crisis.

"It's important we target support at the customers that need it most, while ensuring people who are able to pay are supported to.

"We know allowing households to build up unsustainable debt isn't the right thing to do, and it's vital that people pay for the energy they use as increasing levels of debt drive up costs for everyone."