MoneySavingExpert reveals homes in THIS area could be paying £72 more for gas and electricity

Did you win the energy postcode lottery?

If you've ever complained about things being more expensive in the south of the UK – from houses prices to a pint, you may want to start adding gas and electricity prices to that list.

Related: Energy vampire – we explain what one is and why it could be costing you £6,500

Homes in south-west England will find themselves spending £72 more on gas and electricity prices than homes in the East Midlands under the new Ofgem price caps, according to an investigation by MoneySavingExpert.com.

The website looked into standard tariffs of the six largest energy companies – British Gas, EDF, E.on, Npower, Scottish Power and SSE – under the new Ofgem price cap level.

The price cap kicks in on the 1st October this year and will limit the price a supplier can charge per kWH of electricity and gas.

 

White wall with light and potted plants

(Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme)

MoneySavingExpert's investigation found that homes in East Midlands on a standard tariff will pay the least for their energy at an average of £1,145 a year. In contrast, those in the South East will pay the most at £1,217 a year.

This price difference is due to energy prices being divided into 14 energy supply ‘regions’. Each company will then sell energy at a different unit rate in each of these regions based on costs such as using the local gas and electricity wires.

This is why when you’re searching for an energy deal on a comparison website you’re asked to pop in your postcode.

Regional gas and electricity prices under new cap

Swipe to scroll horizontally
RegionAverage standard tariff under new cap
East Midlands£1,145
Yorkshire£1,150
North East£1,157
Scottish Power£1,162
Midlands£1,171
North West£1,172
Eastern£1,172
London£1,177
Scottish Hydro£1,180
South Wales£1,184
Southern£1,187
South East£1,200
North Wales & Cheshire£1,214
South West£1,217

‘These regional differences highlight a postcode, lottery, where living in the ‘wrong’ area could mean you have to pay a lot more for your energy than those in neighbouring regions,’ says MoneySavingExpert.com energy and utility editor Gary Caffell.

So other than moving, there isn’t much you can do about the difference in energy price. But Moneysavingexpert.com explained that there were still plenty of things you could do to save on energy costs.

living room with white walls and fireplace

(Image credit: FUture PLC/Colin Poole)

‘No matter where you live if you’re on a big firm’s standard tariff you’re likely being ripped off. Don’t be fooled by the headlines which say the price cap is dropping, millions could save £100s/y more by switching, so urgently check if you can get a better deal before the colder weather hits,’ advises Gary Caffell.

Related: Renters are missing out on £41m of energy savings because of this one misconception

So why not get on those comparison websites and see if you could score a better deal?

Rebecca Knight
Deputy Editor, Digital

Rebecca Knight has been the Deputy Editor on the Ideal Home Website since 2022. She graduated with a Masters degree in magazine journalism from City, University of London in 2018, before starting her journalism career as a staff writer on women's weekly magazines. She fell into the world of homes and interiors after joining the Ideal Home website team in 2019 as a Digital Writer. In 2020 she moved into position of Homes News Editor working across Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc, Real Homes, Gardeningetc and Ideal Home covering everything from the latest viral cleaning hack to the next big interior trend.