Ofgem has confirmed that the energy price cap will rise by 4% from 1 October 2026, taking the typical dual-fuel household bill from £1,663 to £1,723 a year, an increase of around £60 a year, or £5 a month, for those on a standard variable tariff. It’s the latest in a run of rises driven largely by higher wholesale gas costs, and it lands just as the UK heads into the colder months.
None of us can do anything about global gas prices. What every homeowner can do is make sure as little of that expensive heat as possible is escaping through the fabric of their home, and windows are one of the biggest culprits.
Where the heat is actually going
Older or poorly sealed windows are one of the main routes heat takes to escape a home. Draughts around frames, thin single glazing and ageing seals all let warmth out and cold in, meaning your boiler has to work harder, and your bill climbs higher, just to keep the house at the same temperature.
How energy-efficient windows help
Modern double glazing is built specifically to reduce this heat loss. Multi-chambered profiles trap air as insulation, low-emissivity glass reflects warmth back into the room, and properly fitted seals cut out the draughts that make a home feel colder than the thermostat suggests. The better the seal and the glazing, the less heat has to be topped up by your heating system, and the smaller the impact of a price cap rise on your actual bill.
Being savvy this winter
With another price cap rise now confirmed, and a further increase forecast for early 2027, there’s a strong case for getting ahead of the colder months rather than waiting for the first cold snap. Replacing older windows isn’t a decision anyone makes overnight, and it can take a few months from first enquiry to installation, so starting to plan now means being properly set up before the coldest part of the year arrives.
If you’d like to know how much heat your current windows might be letting out, or want a no-obligation quote on energy-efficient replacements, get in touch with the Infil team. We install throughout Halstead, Essex and across Suffolk.
