What to do if your energy bill is too high?

Last verified: 11 September 2026

An unusually high energy bill can be worrying, but you are not alone. Before disputing it, cancelling your Direct Debit or switching supplier, take a moment to work out what has changed. A higher bill does not necessarily mean you have suddenly used much more energy. Your fixed deal may have ended, the bill may rely on an inaccurate estimate, your Direct Debit may have been recalculated, or the billing period may be longer than usual. Your usage may also have risen after colder weather or a change in how much time you spend at home.

Sometimes, however, there is a genuine problem. An incorrect meter reading, a billing error or an unexpected account adjustment can all produce a bill that does not look right. And for households already under financial pressure, even an accurate bill can be difficult to manage.

The key is to identify the cause before deciding what to do, because each situation calls for a different solution.

Start with these quick checks

Before digging through previous bills or contacting your supplier, look at the basics. They can often explain a sudden change surprisingly quickly.

• Is the bill covering a longer period than usual?
• Is it based on an actual meter reading or an estimate?
• Has your energy usage changed because of colder weather, more time at home or a change in your household?
• Has a fixed deal recently ended or your tariff changed?
• Does the amount include debt repayment or a revised Direct Debit?
• Does the meter reading on the bill match the reading on your meter?

The sections below walk through each one in turn. Work through them in order and you may be able to identify the cause before contacting your supplier. 

Check your energy usage

Your first step in checking a higher bill is to look at whether your consumption has increased. Comparing the same period year on year, thinking about changes in how you use appliances, and checking your usage in kWh rather than pounds will usually tell you whether consumption is the cause, or whether you need to look elsewhere.

Compare the same period, not just the previous month

Energy use changes throughout the year, particularly when heating demand increases during colder months. Comparing December with November, for example, may show a noticeable increase simply because you have needed to heat your home more often. Instead, compare your usage with the same period the previous year, where possible. This gives you a more meaningful baseline because you are comparing similar seasons rather than two months with potentially very different heating needs.

Look for changes in appliances, heating or occupancy

If your usage has increased, think about what may have changed at your home. You may have started working from home more often, had another person move into the property or used your heating for longer during a particularly cold spell. New appliances can also contribute, especially those that are used frequently or require significant amounts of energy to heat or cool.

Even changes to an existing appliance can matter. A tumble dryer being used more frequently during winter, an electric heater added to a cold room or a boiler running for longer each day can all affect overall consumption. 

This is not about blaming your habits, just about working out whether your household is using more than it did before.

Check your usage in kWh, not just pounds

Your bill should show how much gas and electricity you have used in kilowatt-hours (kWh) as well as how much you have been charged. This distinction matters because the amount you pay is influenced by both how much energy you use and the rate you are charged for it.

For example, if your bill has increased significantly but your energy consumption is broadly similar to the same period last year, then your tariff, unit rates, standing charges or another part of the bill may need a closer look.

If both the cost and your kWh consumption have increased, higher energy use is more likely to be contributing. Looking at the two separately gives you a much clearer starting point than comparing the total at the bottom of each bill.

Check your meter reading

If your usage doesn't explain the increase, look at the meter readings used to calculate the bill. An estimated or incorrect reading can make the amount different from what you expected. 

Actual versus estimated readings

When your supplier doesn't have a recent meter reading, it may calculate your bill using an estimated energy consumption. The estimate can be higher or lower than your actual usage.

Check your bill to see whether the reading is marked as actual or estimated, then compare it with the reading currently showing on your meter.

If the estimate doesn't reflect your actual usage, submit a current reading through your supplier's approved method. Your supplier can then explain how the new reading will affect your account and whether the bill needs adjusting.

Don't be surprised if an accurate reading sometimes results in a higher bill rather than a lower one. If previous estimates were below your actual consumption, the account may need to catch up once the supplier receives an accurate reading.

Smart meter and in-home display checks

Your smart meter, in-home display (IHD) and supplier account perform different functions. The meter records your energy consumption, while the IHD gives you a convenient way to view usage information. Your supplier then uses meter data to calculate your bill.

Check the reading on the meter itself and whether your supplier is receiving automatic readings. If you are having an ongoing problem with the meter or display, our guide to smart meter problems and concerns explains the checks you can make and when to contact your supplier.

When a meter reading looks wrong

If the reading used on your bill looks clearly different from the one currently displayed on your meter, record the current reading before contacting your supplier. You may also want to keep a photograph for your own records. Give your supplier the reading shown on the meter and identify the bill you are questioning so they can check what information was used.

The first step is establishing whether the problem lies with the reading, the way it has been applied to the account or something else in the bill. If the supplier confirms there may be a problem with the meter itself, they can then explain the appropriate next steps.

Check your tariff, unit rates and standing charges

If your energy usage and meter readings look right, the next place to look is your tariff. You can use roughly the same amount of energy as before and still end up with a higher bill if the charges you are paying for that energy have changed.

Has your fixed deal ended?

If you were previously on a fixed tariff, check whether the deal has recently come to an end and what tariff you are now paying.

A fixed tariff generally keeps specified energy rates fixed for an agreed period. Once that period ends, your supplier may move you onto a standard variable tariff unless you have chosen a new deal. You could be consuming a similar amount of energy but paying different rates for it. Compare your current and previous bills to see if your tariff has changed. 

Have your unit rates or standing charges changed?

Your unit rate is the price you pay for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of gas or electricity you use. The more energy you use, the more you will pay in unit-rate charges. Your standing charge is a fixed daily fee you pay just for being connected to the network, regardless of how much you use. Both are shown separately on your bill.

Look at both figures on each bill. If your kWh consumption has remained relatively stable but the amount you are paying has increased, a change in one of these charges could explain some of the difference.

If you are not sure what the information on your bill means, see how to read your energy bill for a breakdown of the different charges and where to find them. 

Check your Direct Debit and account balance

A higher Direct Debit doesn't necessarily mean you have used more energy that month. Your payment can also change because of your expected annual usage or the balance on your account. 

It's useful to separate four different figures:

• Energy usage is the amount of gas or electricity you have consumed, usually measured in kWh.
• Your bill is what your supplier has charged you for that energy and any applicable standing charges over the billing period.
• Your account balance shows whether your energy account is in credit or debit after your payments and charges have been taken into account.
• Your Direct Debit is the regular payment your supplier collects towards your energy account.

These figures can move differently.

Your supplier may adjust your Direct Debit based on expected consumption and your account balance. If previous payments haven't covered your charges, this can also affect the new amount.

If the calculation is not clear, ask your supplier to explain how it was worked out before cancelling or reducing the Direct Debit yourself, as paying too little could leave you with a larger balance to catch up later.

How does the energy price cap affect your bill?

Despite its name, the energy price cap doesn't place a maximum limit on the total amount your household can be charged for energy. Instead, the cap limits certain rates such as the standing charge and unit rates suppliers can charge customers on applicable standard variable tariffs. That means your final bill still depends on how much energy you use. A household using more energy can pay more overall while remaining entirely within the price cap.

This is also why the "typical household" figure quoted in headlines should not be read as a maximum. It's an illustration based on typical domestic consumption values, not a limit on what any individual home can be charged. See Ofgem’s own explanation of the price cap for the current detail. Your own costs depend on your usage, tariff, region and payment method.

For the current cap period, rates and dates, see our dedicated guide to how the energy price cap works.

Check whether you can get help with energy costs

If your bill appears to be correct but you’re finding it difficult to afford, support may be available through government schemes, charities or your energy supplier.

• Warm Home Discount, if you meet the current eligibility criteria.
• Energy grants and support schemes that may help with energy costs.
• Energy discounts for disabled customers, where relevant.
• Hardship funds, payment plans or other support available through your supplier.

Eligibility and availability vary, and schemes can change over time. Check the latest criteria and application details before applying or speak to your supplier if you’re unsure where to start. Find out more about energy grants and support schemes.

Contact your supplier if the bill may be wrong or unaffordable

Sometimes the simplest option is to ask your supplier, either if you cannot work out the cause yourself, if you think something is wrong, or if you can’t afford to pay.

If you think the amount is incorrect, your supplier will be able to investigate the billing issue. If the bill appears correct but you’re struggling to pay, let your supplier know. They may be able to offer payment options or other support to help make your energy costs more manageable.

Have your recent bills, meter readings, tariff details and relevant account information ready, and keep a record of your communication.

If the issue is not resolved, you can follow your supplier's formal complaints process. Citizens Advice can also provide independent consumer support with energy billing and affordability concerns. Raising a complaint doesn't guarantee that the bill will be changed or a particular outcome reached, but it gives you a formal route for pursuing an issue that hasn't been resolved through ordinary customer service.

Should you compare energy tariffs or suppliers?

Once you have checked the bill and raised any error or affordability issue with your supplier, you can compare energy options if you want to review your tariff or supplier. If your fixed deal has ended or your tariff has changed, it is useful to review other options on the market. Before comparing, check your current tariff, unit rates, standing charges and any exit fees applicable for an informed decision. 

However, switching will not correct an inaccurate meter reading, billing error or smart meter problem. If you are unsure about the switching process, our guide to the Energy Switch Guarantee explains what to expect.

Comparing doesn't mean you have to switch; it can simply help you understand how your current deal compares with the alternatives. Compare energy options to see what is available. 

A simple action plan

If you're still unsure what's behind the increase, this checklist can help you work through the most likely explanations one at a time.

1. Check the billing dates and meter readings. Make sure the bill covers the period you expected and establish whether the reading is actual or estimated.
2. Compare your energy usage. Look at your consumption in kWh and, where possible, compare it with the same period last year.
3. Review your tariff and charges. Check your tariff, unit rates and standing charges to see whether what you are paying for energy has changed.
4. Check your Direct Debit and account balance. An increased payment is not necessarily the same thing as increased monthly usage, so find out how your supplier calculated it.
5. Contact your supplier if something looks wrong. Have your meter readings and relevant bills ready and explain clearly what you are querying.
6. Check what support is available. If the bill is correct but difficult to afford, look at current government schemes and ask your supplier about available support.
7. Compare alternatives where appropriate. Once you have checked and raised any billing or affordability issues, you can review whether your current tariff or supplier still suits you.

A bill that looks wrong is not always wrong, and a bill that's correct is not always affordable. Knowing which one you are dealing with is what makes the next step clearer, whether that's getting a mistake corrected, finding some extra support or reviewing your energy options.