How will October’s energy bill rise affect your household? Expert reveals which properties will be hardest hit

With energy prices about to rise to the highest in years, it feels more important than ever to find more cost-effective ways to save energy around our homes.

Last month, Ofgem confirmed its energy price cap will rise by four per cent from the 1st of October, an increase of £60 a year, taking the typical annual dual-fuel figure from £1,663 to £1,723. So what does that look like in reality?

“A four per cent headline increase will not be felt equally across every home," says Cal Graham, property expert at We Buy Any Home. With that in mind, we look at which houses are most likely to feel the effects of the price inflation more significantly.

Which properties will be hardest hit by the energy price cap?

While those on a fixed tariff (around 35% of households) will not be affected by any price increases, many will be affected starting tomorrow. “Larger, gas-heated and poorly insulated properties generally require more energy to keep warm, so the same rise in unit prices can translate into a much larger increase in pounds and pence," Cal explains.

It sounds obvious to say, but the bigger the house, the more it costs to heat. “A large detached home with gas central heating may be particularly exposed because gas prices are responsible for most of October’s increase," Cal explains.

“The £60 headline rise is based on typical consumption. A household using considerably more gas could see a larger cash increase even though it is paying the same capped unit rate.”

Add to that the fact that detached properties generally use up more energy due to poor insulation, thanks to an increase in external walls, which increases the risk of heat escaping.

Speaking of poor insulation, period properties, be they Victorian or Edwardian, were built without cavity walls to make them more energy-efficient. I know this only too well, with my original floorboards and poorly sealed doors and windows in my period home.

“Period character is attractive to buyers, but an older home can be expensive to heat if its fabric has not been sensitively upgraded," Cal explains. “Residents should look for manageable improvements first, such as addressing draughts, checking loft insulation and using chimney draught excluders safely where appropriate.” I can recommend this gap filler as floorboard insulation; it's been a real game changer in my home.

Cal also warns that homes with inefficient boilers might be adversely affected, saying: “An old boiler does not automatically need replacing, but it should be serviced and used with suitable controls.

“A thermostat that is badly positioned, radiators that do not heat evenly or a system running when rooms are empty can all contribute to waste. A qualified heating professional can advise on safe adjustments.”

Carrying out essential autumn maintenance jobs, such as bleeding radiators, will help ensure heating systems work at maximum efficiency.

Top-floor and end-of-terrace properties might also feel the pinch. “Two apparently similar homes on the same street can have different heating demands simply because of where they sit within the building or terrace," Cal explains.

“Owners and tenants should pay attention to cold external walls, roof insulation and persistent draughts rather than assuming every property of the same size will cost the same to heat.”

And lastly, any homes where glass plays a prominent role in the design, such as homes with conservatories or large glazed extensions. It goes without saying that large areas of glazing can lose heat more quickly than properly insulated walls, particularly in older renovations where the materials might not be as considered.

“A beautiful glazed extension can become an expensive space during colder months if it is thermally separated poorly from the rest of the house," Cal warns.

“Closing internal doors where possible, repairing seals and using curtains or blinds appropriately may help, but any sign of damp or structural deterioration should be properly investigated.”

The price cap will remain in place until the 31st of December, after which there's a suggestion that prices could rise even higher in January. We are already considering the savvy ways we can make our homes warmer this winter to try to save whatever we can on heating bills.