Energy Prices Have Dropped This Spring But Don’t Relax Just Yet

Energy prices have dropped this spring – but what does it mean for your heating? Learn how to stay efficient and keep costs under control.

There’s been a bit of good news on energy bills lately. Ofgem reviewed the price cap in April and brought it down slightly, which means the average household should see a small reduction in what they’re paying per unit of gas and electricity.

It’s welcome, but honestly? For most of the customers we visit, it won’t make a huge difference to what they actually pay. Here’s why and what’s worth doing about it while you’ve got the chance.

What the price cap actually means for your bills

A lot of people assume the price cap limits their total bill. It doesn’t. It limits how much suppliers can charge per unit of energy (known as the Energy Price Cap), so if your home uses a lot, your bill stays high regardless.
So the key things to understand are:

• The more energy you use, the more you pay
• The April saving works out to around £10 a month for a typical household
• Your actual bill is still largely driven by how much energy your home uses

And that’s where your heating system comes in.

An old or poorly maintained boiler can quietly cost you more

Heating accounts for the majority of energy use in most homes. So if your boiler isn’t running as efficiently as it should, you’re paying the price every month, whether energy rates are up or down.

We come across this regularly. Many of the homes we visit across Warwickshire, particularly older semis and terraces are losing heat and money through an ageing boiler. Boilers that are still working, still firing up, still keeping the house warm but working harder than they need to, using more gas in the process. Sometimes it’s age. Sometimes it’s a minor fault that’s built up over time. Often, the homeowner has no idea.

Every new boiler sold in the UK today must be A-rated, which means at least 90% efficient. Older boilers are a different story. One that’s 15 or more years old could be running at 70-80% efficiency, and something older than 20 years might be as low as 60%. At that level, up to 40p in every £1 you spend on gas is wasted before it heats your home.

Every new boiler sold in the UK today must be A-rated, which means at least 90% efficient. Older boilers are a different story. One that’s 15 or more years old could be running at 70-80% efficiency, and something older than 20 years might be as low as 60%. At that level, up to 40p in every £1 you spend on gas is wasted before it heats your home.

“We hear it all the time, ‘the heating’s working fine, so it can’t be the boiler. But a lot of the time, it’s not about whether it’s working, it’s how efficiently it’s running. That’s usually where the extra cost comes from.” – Tom Horne, Service Manager at Custom Heat

Why energy prices are still uncertain

Although prices have dropped this spring, the picture for later in the year is less reassuring. The price cap is reviewed every three months, and several factors are already pushing forecasts upward:

• Ongoing conflict in the Middle East has disrupted global gas markets
• The Strait of Hormuz and LNG production in Qatar have both been affected
• Wholesale gas prices are rising at their fastest rate since the Ukraine war

Analysts are forecasting the July price cap could rise significantly, potentially adding £180-£290 a year to typical household bills.

These are forecasts, not certainties. But the April reduction may be a short window before bills climb again, which makes acting now even more worthwhile.

Why now is the best time to service or upgrade your boiler

Most people don’t think about their boiler until something goes wrong, often when they need their heating the most. That can lead to unnecessary stress and rushed decisions.

From our experience, spring is the best time to service or upgrade your boiler:

• Less disruption to your home, you’re not relying on heating so much
• Stay ahead and avoid future issues before winter 
• Improve efficiency now before prices potentially rise again

Not sure if your boiler is costing you money? 

• Your boiler is over 10-15 years old
• Your heating feels slower to warm up than it used to
• Your bills have crept up without an obvious reason
• You haven’t had a service done in the last year or two

If you ticked one of these, it’s worth getting your boiler checked now before energy prices potentially rise again.

Book your spring boiler service in under 2 minutes

We’re a local heating company covering Rugby, Coventry and the surrounding Warwickshire area, and right now we’re offering a spring boiler service including a full efficiency check.including a full efficiency check.

• Quick, no-hassle booking
• Expert advice
• Identify hidden inefficiencies before energy costs rise again

Book your service now or call us directly to secure your slot:
0330 383 0000
https://customheat.co.uk/boiler-servicing/

How Custom Heat can help

With ongoing uncertainty around gas prices, more homeowners are exploring options like heat pumps. They can offer more stable running costs, lower emissions, and potential access to government incentives.

That might mean a service and a clean bill of health. It might mean identifying something worth fixing. Or, if your system is becoming inefficient, we’ll guide you through your new boiler installation options.

The bottom line

Spring’s price reduction is a positive sign. But your energy bill is still mostly a product of how efficiently your home uses energy, not just what the rate is.

If you’re a homeowner in Rugby, Coventry, or across Warwickshire wondering how efficient your boiler really is, now is the right time to find out.