- Households are starting the winter owing £780 million to their energy suppliers – the highest debt levels in eight years[1]
- The number of households in arrears is up 46% on last year[2], with more than three million homes owing £223 on average to their provider ahead of winter[1]
- The average bill-payer was £128 in credit last year, but account balances dropped below £100 for the first time since the energy crisis began[3]
- More than two million low-income households – and ten million UK homes overall – have no energy credit built up to cope with higher winter bills[3]
- The average balance of households in credit falls for the third consecutive year to £214, with only half of UK homes (55%) now in credit[3]
- Uswitch encourages households to use the eligibility guide to help see what support schemes they may be entitled to.
Households are entering winter owing £780 million to their energy suppliers – the highest energy debt levels in eight years[1], according to new research from Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service.
Some 3.5 million households owe money to their provider, up 46% from 2.4 million last year[2]. This year’s average household debt figure of £223 is 29% higher than last year’s £173[1].
The energy watchdog Ofgem recently revealed that energy suppliers were owed more than £4 billion by customers, a rise of more than £750 million on the previous year. Ofgem’s debt figure is the total amount that customers owe their suppliers for unpaid bills, whereas Uswitch is measuring the current balance of a household’s energy account.
The average account balance of all UK households has fallen for the fourth year in a row. Last year households were in credit with their supplier by an average of £128, but this has fallen to £98 this year, dropping below £100 for the first time since the energy crisis began[3].
More than two million low-income households – and ten million UK homes overall – have no energy credit at a time of year when it’s important to have built up funds to cope with higher winter bills[3].
One in six homes (16%) with a household income of less than £20,000 a year[4] already owe money to their energy supplier ahead of winter, with indebted homes owing £60 on average[1].
Graph: Average household debt for those in arrears to their supplier
Three in ten of those in arrears (29%) say their debt is higher than last year, and a quarter (26%) believe their position is about the same as 12 months ago[5].
One in ten households in debt to their supplier (12%) say they cannot afford to pay it off, double the proportion from last year (6%). Another tenth (9%) plan to move onto a prepayment meter to pay off their debt[6].
Of those in debt, a third (34%) say their supplier hasn’t contacted them about the amount they owe. More positively, nearly three-fifths of those who were contacted (57%) said they were offered help or advice[7].
With the cold winter months approaching, many households are planning drastic measures to reduce their energy bills. Two-fifths (40%) say they will wear extra layers at home so they can keep their heating down, while three in ten (31%) say they’ll turn the thermostat down[8].
Just over half of households (55%) have a credit balance ahead of winter. The average amount of credit built up by those with a positive account balance is £214 – down slightly from £222 last autumn[1].
Households’ energy bills have dropped considerably in recent years, with the energy default tariff falling from £2,500 for average annual consumption in January 2023 to £1,568 in July 2024[9], before rising to £1,755 earlier this month. But bills still remain high compared with before the energy crisis, with the cost-of-living crisis adding pressure to household budgets on multiple fronts.
Table: Government support schemes
| Energy help scheme name | Who can get it? | Which nation(s) does it apply to? | How much discount could I get? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm Home Discount | Those who receive certain means-tested benefits | England, Scotland and Wales | £150 |
| Cold Weather Payment | Those who receive Pension Credit and don't live in a care home, and those on certain benefits | England and Wales | £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March |
| Winter Fuel Payment | Those over state pension age, who also receive certain benefits | England and Scotland | Either £200 or £300 |
| Child Winter Heating Payment | Children under 19 who receive certain disability benefits | Scotland | £251.50 |
| Winter Heating Payment | Low-income households | Scotland | £58.75 |
Source: Uswitch.com
Uswitch.com is urging households to check its eligibility guide to see what support schemes they might be entitled to. Customers struggling with their energy bills are also encouraged to contact their supplier who may have a hardship fund, which could cancel some or all of the customer’s energy debt.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, said: “It’s deeply concerning to see that household energy debt has soared to an eight-year high, which suggests that many homes may face a bill shock soon as direct debit levels are updated.
“The cost of living squeeze and the end of many government support schemes means that households are getting less help than they used to, causing many to fall behind.
“Households use more energy over the winter, so for those paying via direct debit it’s ideal to have a cushion of about two months’ worth of energy credit at this point in the year.
“If your energy account is going into debt, or you are behind on your bill payments, speak to your supplier as soon as possible. Our eligibility guide is a quick and easy way to see if you might be entitled to additional support such as hardship funds and other energy help schemes.
“If you’re on a standard variable tariff, you could save significant amounts by moving to a cheaper fixed deal. There are a number of deals on the market priced well below the October price cap, so run a comparison online to see how much you could save.”
Use our eligibility guide to see if you’re entitled to energy bill support.
For more information
Rianna York | Energy PR Manager
rianna.york@rvu.co.uk
Twitter: @UswitchPR
Notes to editors
Research conducted online by Opinium, 3rd to 8th October 2025, among 2,000 UK energy bill-payers, weighted to be nationally representative.
1. Respondents were asked ‘Thinking about your most recent energy bill/statement from your supplier, which of the following best applies to you?’ 249 respondents were in debt. 249 / 2000 = 12.43% of households are in debt. 12.43% of 28.2 million UK households = 3.5 million households. Average debt was £223.12. 3.5 million x £223.12 = £780 million.
2. 2,399,800 were in debt last year. (3.5 million - 2.4 million) / 2.4 million = 46% increase.
3. Respondents were asked ‘Thinking about your most recent energy bill/statement from your supplier, which of the following best applies to you?’ 1100 respondents were in credit. 1100 / 2000 = 55% of households are in credit. 55% of 28.2 million UK households = 15.5 million households. Average credit was £214.48. Average balance for all UK households was £98.90. Last year it was £128.00.
4. The median household disposable income in the UK for the financial year ending (FYE) 2023 was £34,500, according to the ONS. A household is considered to be in relative low income if its income is below 60% of the median income for that year. 60% of £34,500 is £20,700.
5. Respondents were asked ‘Thinking about the amount you are in debt/arrears with your energy supplier, how does this compare with a year ago?’ 29% said ‘My debt/arrears are higher.’ 26% said ‘My debt/arrears are about the same.’ 6% said ‘I have moved from credit into debt.’
6. Respondents were asked ‘Thinking about the amount you are in debt/arrears with your energy supplier, how are you going to pay it off?’ 22% said ‘By increasing my monthly direct debit.’ 19% said ‘I’m hoping it will go down naturally over time’. 16% said ‘By paying it off in one lump sum’. 17% said ‘By agreeing a repayment plan with my energy supplier’. 12% said ‘I can’t afford to pay it off.’ 9% said ‘By going on a prepayment meter’.
7. Respondents were asked ‘Has your supplier contacted you about the amount you owe them?’ 34% said No. 16% said ‘Yes - They increased my monthly payment’. 13% said ‘Yes - To flag the amount I owe but not offer any support’. 12% said ‘Yes – Helped organise repayment plan’. 9% said ‘Yes – They gave me advice on using less and spending less on energy.’ 9% said ‘Yes – Offered me a cheaper deal.’ 7% said ‘Yes – Providing other help or support.’
8. Respondents were asked ‘Are you planning to do any of the following to keep your energy bills down this winter?’ 40% replied ‘Wear more layers to avoid putting the heating on’. 21% replied ‘Not put the heating on even when it’s cold’. 31% replied ‘Turn my thermostat down’.
9. Ofgem: New energy price cap level for July to September 2024 starts today
About Uswitch
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles.
More people go to Uswitch to find their energy, broadband and mobile deals than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.