Full list of key dates for energy bills this year – including price rises and cash support

MILLIONS of households will be impacted by a wide range of big energy bill changes coming in 2023.

Energy bills will rise again in April, while some households are being hit by unexpected rises now.

The current energy price guarantee caps the average household energy bill at £2,500 a year.

But the energy price guarantee is only a cap on unit rates - so if you use more energy, expect to pay more than the average household.

The energy bill support scheme is set to come to an end, while the government has announced further cost of living payments to help struggling households.

Here are all the energy bill changes set to impact your finances in 2023.

January

Energy bill rises

Major suppliers are hiking bills for some households while others may pay less in the new year.

The changes come as part of the government's energy price guarantee, which limits the average bill to £2,500 a year.

But regulator Ofgem still sets the price cap on what suppliers can charge - the latest came into effect on January 1.

That means there may be a slight difference in bill prices from now.

The change will be different depending on who you're with, how you pay and where you live, as the supplier decides the difference.

So that means your bill could either rise or fall. Keep in mind for most it will be a difference of just pennies.

But for some people on Eco tariffs, where you pay different rates at night and day, they could pay nearly £150 more over the course of a year.

The hike will be worst for those on standard tariffs in North Wales and the Merseyside area who pay for their electricity on receipt of bills and not by direct debit.

Their bills are set to rise by more than £5 per month between January and April.

But those in the north of England will likely pay around £3.90 less per month.

Prepayment meter customers will see an average bill increase of £1.50, while those who pay by direct debit will see an average increase of just two pence.

The changes are made to the amount that energy suppliers charge per unit of gas and electricity they supply.

February

Ofgem's new energy price cap

On Monday, February 27, regulator Ofgem will announce its new energy price cap, which will apply from April to June.

Cornwall forecast that energy bills, as decided by Ofgem’s price cap, will be £3,545 for the average household.

But energy bills will continue to be capped at £3,000 for the average household thanks to the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) scheme.

March

Energy bill support scheme ends

In May 2022, the government announced millions of households would receive £400 to help with their energy bills this winter.

The £400 payment has been split into six monthly instalments.

Payments have been made since October, and the final payment will be made in March.

For the majority of energy customers, their monthly bills are automatically discounted.

However, households with traditional pre-payment meters are being sent vouchers to redeem at their nearest top-up point instead.

But thousands of hard-up households are missing out on free cash to help pay for energy bills as vouchers go unredeemed.

Spring Budget

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will deliver his Spring Budget on March 15.

It's expected to include changes to taxes on goods such as petrol, cigarettes and booze.

It is not yet known what else will be included in the announcement, but it's one to keep an eye on.

April

Energy bill rise

Energy bills for the typical household were initially set to be frozen at £2,500 for the typical household for two years.

But the Chancellor announced in November that it would only be in place for six months.

In the Autumn Statement, Jeremy Hunt said typical bills will rise to £3,000 in April.

This means the average household will see their bills rise by £500 a year.