From 1 October 2026, the energy price cap is increasing again, just as many households are beginning to switch their heating back on for autumn.
Ofgem has confirmed that the typical annualised bill for a household paying by Direct Debit for gas and electricity will rise from £1,663 to £1,723, an increase of around 4%. This figure is based on typical consumption rather than being a maximum household bill, so what you actually pay will still depend on how much energy you use.
For households on standard variable tariffs, the average gas unit rate will increase from 7.33p to 7.97p per kWh from October.
With colder weather approaching, now is a good time to make sure your heating system is working as efficiently as possible.
Have Your Boiler Serviced
A boiler that is regularly maintained is less likely to develop problems when you need it most.
A service allows an engineer to check the condition and operation of the boiler, identify potential faults and make sure it is working safely.
The HSE recommends having gas appliances regularly maintained and serviced at least annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Check Your Heating Controls
Make sure your thermostat, programmer and thermostatic radiator valves are working correctly.
Rather than heating an empty house unnecessarily, set your heating around the times you are normally at home and adjust individual rooms where appropriate.
Don’t Ignore Cold Radiators
If some radiators take much longer to heat up than others, have cold areas or remain completely cold, your heating system may not be operating as effectively as it should.
The cause could be something relatively simple, such as trapped air, or it could point towards circulation problems or sludge within the system.
Deal With Boiler Problems Early
Unusual noises, regularly falling boiler pressure, intermittent heating or a boiler that continually needs resetting shouldn’t simply be ignored.
Getting a fault investigated early can prevent a relatively minor problem becoming a much more disruptive repair in the middle of winter.
Is Your Boiler Getting Old?
Older boilers can remain perfectly serviceable, but if yours is requiring increasingly frequent repairs or struggling to heat your property efficiently, it may be worth discussing whether replacement makes financial sense.
A new boiler isn’t automatically the answer for every household, which is why an assessment of your existing system is important.
Prepare Now Rather Than Waiting for Winter
Heating demand naturally increases as temperatures fall, so October is an ideal time to have your system checked before it is working hard every day.
Deakin’s provides boiler servicing, heating repairs and boiler installations across Preston, Chorley, Leyland, Bolton, Wigan and the wider North West.
If you have concerns about your boiler or central heating system, contact the Deakin’s team and we’ll help you determine the best next step.
Get Expert Advice
Choosing the wrong type of boiler can mean years of poor hot water performance, so it’s worth getting advice from someone who has seen your home. Our Gas Safe engineers will look at your property, check your water pressure and existing system, and recommend the boiler that genuinely suits you, not just the one that’s easiest to fit.
We install boilers from leading manufacturers including Worcester Bosch, Vaillant, Baxi and Main, for homes across Preston, Chorley and the wider North West. Find out more about our boiler installation service, call us on 01772 426 065 or get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.