If you’ve been following the news, you might have seen headlines claiming that the energy price cap will rise (again) by just 0.2% in January 2026. At first glance, it sounds almost negligible - a tiny blip that won’t affect most households.
But the reality is more complex. While the official price cap increase is small, the actual electricity unit rates that households pay are going up by around 5%. That means the energy running your everyday appliances, from kettles and washing machines to showers and electric heaters, will cost noticeably more.
Why the discrepancy? The “price cap” headline refers to an overall calculation across all energy costs, including gas, electricity, and standing charges. But for homes that rely heavily on electricity, particularly those using electric heating, showers, or cooking, the direct cost per unit of electricity is rising faster than the headline suggests.
For many households, that means a small change on paper can translate into real-world increases in monthly bills — and that’s what we’ll break down here.
Everyday Electrical Items Will
Cost More to Run
Even small household tasks now cost more than you might expect:
Kettle (3kW)
Old cost (26.3p/kWh): ~3p for a 5-minute boil
New cost (27.7p/kWh): ~3.5p
It doesn't seem like much but multiply by 4–5 uses a day and it adds up.
Electric Shower (8.5–10.5kW)
Typical 10-minute shower:
Old: ~37p
New: ~39–41p
Families of four taking daily showers could see £2–£3 extra per month.
Washing Machine (1–2kWh per cycle)
Old: ~30–52p per load
New: ~32–55p
A family doing 20 loads per month pays 60p–£1 more.
Tumble Dryer
Old: 60–80p per cycle
New: 63–85p
Using it three times per week adds around £1.50–£2 per month.
Air Fryers, Ovens & Microwaves
Air fryers are still cheaper than ovens, but all electric cooking costs rise by around 5%.
Batch cooking becomes even more cost-effective.
Electric Heating (the big one)
If your home relies on:
- Storage heaters
- Panel heaters
- Underfloor electric heating
- Heat pumps
…your electricity costs rise even more than the headline suggests.
A home using 4,000kWh per year will pay around £56 more annually (£4–£5 per month).
Using Less Gas and More Electricity
May Cost You More
The government is encouraging households to reduce gas usage and switch to electricity. But with electricity becoming more expensive and gas slightly cheaper, this approach can backfire.
Households that:
· use electric radiators to “cut down on gas”
· switch to electric cooking
· rely on electric immersion heaters for hot water
…may see higher bills, not lower.
This particularly affects:
· flats with electric-only heating
· properties without gas access
· homes with older, inefficient electric systems
Standing Charges
Are Rising Too
Standing charges (the fixed daily fees on energy bills) are also increasing:
· Electricity: ~2% rise · Gas: ~3% rise
These fees hit low-income households, low-usage homes, and people trying to reduce consumption the
hardest. Even if you use very little energy, you still pay the daily fee.
How Maintracts Services Can
Help Customers Save
Rising electricity costs are a good opportunity to highlight areas where households can save
and avoid increasing costs accidentally.
- Fix dripping taps
- Install thermostatic mixing valves
- Optimise cylinder settings
Bottom Line
Electricity prices are rising, and while headlines make it seem small, the real-world effect is noticeable in everyday
household routines, from showers to washing, cooking to heating.
At Maintracts Services, we help homeowners and tenants understand where they can save, how to avoid unnecessary
increases, and get the most from their heating and plumbing systems.
Simple fixes, better controls, and smart upgrades can make a tangible difference in your monthly bills, especially when
electricity prices rise.
Check out our blog, for more expert advice.
About The Author:
Oliver Osmore
Oliver Osmore has been part of Maintracts Services since 2001, following in his father’s footsteps. As Managing Director, he ensures the company runs smoothly, supports customers and engineers, and thrives on solving complex problems others can’t. Highly organised and approachable, Oliver works closely with customers to deliver tailored solutions, drawing on his extensive experience in plumbing, heating, and electrical services to resolve enquiries efficiently.
Since 1974, Maintracts Services has built a reputation for high-quality installation, maintenance, and repairs. Under Oliver’s leadership, the company remains committed to professionalism, safety, and customer satisfaction.