The energy price cap for England, Wales and Scotland increased by 0.2% between January 1 and March 31, 2026
Countless Brits are grappling with higher energy costs this winter following Ofgem’s latest 0.2% increase to the energy price cap, which followed a 2% hike between October and December. If you’re seeking tips and tools to help slash energy use, one B&Q product may help.
The DIY store claims that its £24.39 item ‘reduces your heating bill’ by ‘reflecting wasted energy’ back into the room rather than letting it escape outside. The item is also considered ‘very quick and easy to install’ and remains out of sight once in place.
The product of focus is Radflek Radiator Reflector Panels, with the £24.39 pack containing three foil sheets. These are reportedly recommended by the Energy Saving Trust and also maintain their reflectivity ‘for years’.
“Radflek reflects back into the room 95% of the heat energy radiated from the back of your radiator,” B&Q’s website describes. “Reduces your heating bill and your carbon footprint – Radflek can pay for itself in under a year
“Radflek is very quick and easy to install – once installed, nobody knows it is there. Radflek is a radiator reflector designed for ease of installation by consumers. Radflek maintains its reflectivity for years, whilst kitchen foil degrades very quickly.”
Nonetheless, if you aren’t so keen on this item, there are several other varieties of reflector foil available at B&Q and other home stores. Screwfix has a 195mm x 500mm roll of insulating foil available for just £10.99, while The Range has a variation available for £23.99.
What is the energy price cap?
The energy price cap for England, Wales and Scotland increased by 0.2% between January 1 and March 31, 2026, meaning typical dual-fuel households are paying around £1,758 annually. While 0.2% may seem like a small increase, the new value is £20 higher than the level between January and March 2025.
Ofgem explains that its energy price cap is the ‘maximum amount’ that energy suppliers can charge you for each unit of energy and the ‘standard charge’ if you are on a standard variable tariff. Despite the general estimate of what ‘typical’ households might pay, the exact rate will vary based on factors such as your location, the type of meter you have, and your payment method.
Not everyone is affected by Ofgem’s price cap, but those on a default tariff who pay for electricity and gas through standard credit, Direct Debit, a prepayment meter, or an Economy 7 meter are generally affected.
Official guidance from Ofgem adds: “The actual amount you pay will depend on how much energy your household uses, where you live and the type of meter you have.
“You could pay less for your energy by changing your energy tariff or payment type. Find out if you can change or fix your tariff and how to switch energy supplier. Tell your energy supplier if you cannot pay your bills. They must help you if you ask. They could set up a repayment plan or provide you with emergency credit.”
Despite January’s price cap increase, the Autumn Budget recently saw the UK Government pledging to take ‘around £150 off energy bills on average from April’ in an effort to tackle cost-of-living issues.
The statement, released in November, reads: “Families across the UK are feeling the squeeze of still too high inflation. The Budget delivers a set of measures to remove around £150 of costs on average from household energy bills from April next year.
“Energy costs will be reduced by the ending of the Energy Company Obligation, which is currently funded through bills, and through the government funding 75% of the domestic cost of the legacy Renewables Obligation for three years. This is on top of extending the £150 Warm Home Discount to a further 3 million of the poorest households.”
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