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Rank 2
September 12, 2022
Solved

Recently signed up to a new fixed contract- Will my prices be affected by the Energy Price Guarantee?

  • September 12, 2022
  • 70 replies
  • 2313 views

I have recently signed a new contract for gas and electricity, the new figures are higher than the price cap figures. The new contract starts later this month. Will i be charged the higher new amount after the price cap starts in October or will they reduce the contract to the price cap?

Plus on the app it says people with certain criteria will be able to apply for free electric throws, free boiler service, free smart thermostats. How do i find out if i qualify? 

Best answer by Emmanuelle_OVO

Updated on 09/09/25 by Chris_OVO:

Hi @LSdevon,

 

Welcome to the OVO Online Community. 

 

Great to see our community members giving you some tip-top advice here. 

 

The prices you’re paying for your energy may be changing in October. For all the up to date advice, see this page dedicated to the Energy Price Guarantee. We’ll keep that page updated with any changes as and when.

 

If you pay by Direct Debit, we’d recommend you leave this unchanged until any price changes have been made in October. That way you know you’re paying the right amount. 

 

If you don’t have a smart meter that sends us your readings remotely every day, we’d recommend you submit a manual meter reading this week or next via your online account.  

 

 For up to date information about the current price cap please head to our website. Or check out this helpful FAQ to find out more about how this may impact you and what support is available:

 

 

Ofgem’s energy price cap limits what you pay for gas or electricity on a variable rate plan. You can see the latest information regarding the price cap levels and date changes on the Ofgem site here.

 

 

The way energy suppliers set prices is impacted by:

 

The price cap – set by Ofgem, the energy regulator. This limits the amount customers on variable rate plans will pay for each unit of gas and electricity and sets a maximum standing charge.

 

The Energy Price Guarantee – provided by the government to help households with energy costs during the energy crisis. It’s a discount on gas and electricity prices and is in addition to the price cap. It applies to both variable and fixed rate plans. If the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) is above the level of the price cap, it won’t impact prices for anyone who pays monthly. 

 

 

What this means if you pay monthly for your energy

 

If you're on a variable rate plan, your unit rate and standing charge will change on 1st January, April, July and October, in line with the new price cap. We’ll write to you to let you know if this impacts you personally. Your actual bills will still depend on how much energy your home uses.

 

If you're on a fixed rate plan, the price cap doesn't affect prices for fixed-rate plans. We're keeping your prices as they are for the length of your contract to protect you from any price increases.

 

 

What this means if you Pay As You Go for your energy

 

All Pay As You Go prices are variable – these will change with the new price cap on 1st January, April, July and October.

 

 

Gas

 

Customers will receive an additional discount on their gas unit rate through the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) so that most customers will pay less than Pay Monthly customers.

 

This discount will be reviewed every 3 months. You don't need to apply, and there is no need to contact us – the discount is applied automatically.

 

 

Electricity

 

Electricity prices on Pay As You Go mean that most customers will already pay less than the equivalent for Pay Monthly.

 

You can also check out more information on the Price Cap set by Ofgem, here.

​​​​​​

 

Support available for customers who may be struggling with their bills

​​​​

70 replies

juliamc
Rank 20
Rank 20
October 5, 2022

@coco34ymail.com third line from the bottom Future Annual Consumption 

Electricity 4445 kWh   Gas 11563 kWh

For each fuel multiply that number up by the kWh rate, divide by 12, that gives the amount OVO are charging you for the year.

Blastoise186
Super User
Super User
October 5, 2022

I’m seeing your Electric EAC/FAC as 4445kWh and Gas EAC/FAC as 11563kWh based on that last screenshot as well

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
Rank 2
October 5, 2022

Lol I was looking at the bottom line only, 

 

So they reckon I will be in debit to them about £1700 by March 2023 but if I’m in credit every month and only paying £178 a month on my fixed rate then something doesn’t add up.

 

Pay for what I use on a month basis and start the new month either in credit or at £0.

Coco
juliamc
Rank 20
Rank 20
October 5, 2022

If you were on the new government rate I calculate that would cost £230 per month in energy costs, then add the standing charges for each fuel to that. I can’t see your actual rates now as they were removed from this thread for security purposes. 

Send an up to date meter reading, if you’re not on a smart meter then send them monthly at least so the system can correct itself to near enough you annual usage.

You said your kWh costs didn’t matter to you but you’ll be moved to the new rate anyway, that’s what this government intervention is all for.

Rank 2
October 5, 2022

39p per KW electric and 14p gas.

 

I'm thinking that the heavy demands from energy companies with regards direct debits might be a sting in the tail for all. It's all been sewn up by the government and handed ro the energy companies to lap up the generous profits lol 

Coco
juliamc
Rank 20
Rank 20
October 5, 2022

I’m sure there will be winners with this latest government, and I’m sure I won’t be one of them. However I also doubt that energy RETAILERS are going to profit by this. OVO isn’t an energy producer… 

stead
Rank 5
Rank 5
October 6, 2022

Hey @stead,

 

Thanks for a great question!

 

If you have the OVO Drive + Anytime Add On, you will still benefit from the add on. Even if you are changed to the Simpler Variable Tariff.

 

If you are affected by the Energy Price Guarantee, OVO will contact you directly about your prices. 

 

Hope this helps. 

Hi @Emmanuelle_OVO 

Just wanted to ask should I be chasing up support? I’m assuming prices will be applied backdated from the start of the month but then I’m reading some people on here have only had the price guarantee once contacting support... 

I can’t say I envy anyone answering the phone at any energy company at the moment, want to avoid adding even more stress as I have visions of mass walk outs on support giving longer times for waiting and angrier customers! 

Just starting to get a little nervous​​​

Emmanuelle_OVO
Retired Moderator
Retired Moderator
October 7, 2022

Hey @stead,

 

If you are affected by the cap recently bought in by Government, you’ll be contacted directly by OVO advising your options, but if it eases your mind then you can absolutely contact Support

 

Although I'd advise that our customer facing channels are currently seeing a lot of contact so it may be harder to get through.  

 

The latest advice from our team of experts is that our customers are being divided into the following categories:

 

“Customers on fixed tariffs cheaper than the Energy Price Guarantee should take no action and roll onto the Simpler Variable Tariff at the end of their current term.

 

Customers on a fixed tariff, that when we apply the Energy Bills Support Scheme discount will be slightly cheaper than the Energy Price Guarantee: We are advising they stay on their fixed tariff but they can move to Simpler Variable Tariff with no exit fees.

 

Customers on a fixed tariff, that when we apply the Energy Bills Support Scheme discount will be slightly more expensive than the Energy Price guarantee: They can stay fixed or can move to Simpler Variable Tariff with no exit fees. It’s their choice.

 

Customers that even with the discount will be significantly more expensive on their fixed than Simpler Variable Tariff: We are automatically moving these customers to Simpler Variable Tariff and they need to take no action.”

 

If you have yet to be contacted yet, don’t worry- you haven’t been forgotten! It’s likely your rates are close to the price cap and OVO are working out whether it’ll be beneficial for you to switch to the Simpler Variable plan. 

 

There is tons more information about this topic on our webpage dedicated to the Energy Price Guarantee.

 

Hope this helps. 

 

Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
Rank 5
June 30, 2023

@Jeffus unfortunately the calculator is no use to me I'm on a Economy 7 simpler Energy Plan. 😕

Abby_OVO
Community Manager
Community Manager
July 3, 2023

Hey @Lucky2 

 

What is it you’re looking for, maybe we can help?

 

If you’re looking to view your current plan rates, you can see those on your online account under ‘Plan’ here.

 

You can also view your tariff details down the right hand side on your recent bills, next to the ‘Detailed Charges’ section.

 

Let us know if this isn’t what you were looking for and we can help you out with what you need.

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