British Gas urges households to follow ‘30C rule’ before July | Personal Finance | Finance
British Gas is urging UK households to follow a “30C rule” before July to cut their energy bills ahead of the price cap change. Energy regulator Ofgem on Wednesday announced a 13% increase to its price cap for the period covering July 1 to September 30, 2026, as a result of higher wholesale gas prices caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The hike will equate to an £18 per month rise for the average home using both electricity and gas, with households seeing an increase of 24% on their gas bills and 5% on their electricity bills.
The increase means the typical household is now facing an annual energy cost of £1,862 – a rise of £221 on current levels – with early forecasts that this will rise even further in October when the price cap changes again. Commenting on the July increase, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “The rise in the price cap because of a war we did not choose is deeply unwelcome news for households across the country.
“We know people were under pressure before this crisis, and that’s why easing that burden is our number one priority.
“We will continue to monitor the situation ahead of the winter and plan for all contingencies. In the immediate term it is essential to de-escalate this conflict to bring oil and gas prices down and as Britain faces the second fossil fuel crisis of this decade, we must learn the right lessons.”
Ofgem sets the maximum amount that suppliers can charge for each unit of electricity and gas that households use, but not the total bill, so ultimately if you use more energy, you will pay more.
Households have the option to switch or fix their energy tariff ahead of July to help save money, but making small changes to energy use at home can also make a big difference – including a tweak to your laundry routine.
According to British Gas, lowering your washing machine temperature to 30C could reduce your energy usage by as much as 40%, which then translates to lower bills.
Up to 90% of the electricity a washing machine consumes goes towards heating the water, so lowering the temperature from a standard 40C down to 30C can cut energy usage by 40%, while dropping to a cold 20C wash can save more than 60%, meaning significantly cheaper bills.
In its money saving tips to manage energy costs, British Gas said: “Heating and hot water account for over half of your energy bill, so it’s a good idea to keep track of what you use. Lowering your washing machine to 30⁰C could reduce your energy usage by 40%.”
The supplier added: “Turn down the temperature – most modern detergents can clean effectively at 30C.
“Tumble dryers are one of the most power-hungry appliances, so use them sparingly. A heated clothes drier is more economical if it’s too wet to dry laundry outside.
“Most busy households do this anyway but try to only run full loads in your washing machine and tumble dryer so you’re not using them more than you need to.”
