The price cap will rise by £63 in October – the third increase this year – yet thousands of households are sitting on a £300 refund they didn’t know existed. Martin Lewis has this week flagged a little-used rule that lets OVO, Octopus, and EDF customers reclaim standing charges and exit fees if they switch supplier within six weeks of a cap change. For a typical 3-bed semi using 12,000 kWh a year, that could mean a direct payment of up to £300.
As reported by the Liverpool Echo, the rule is buried in supplier contracts and rarely advertised. But for homeowners looking to cut energy costs, it’s a rare chance to claw back money without any home upgrades.
How the 6-week rule works
Ofgem’s licence conditions require suppliers to let customers exit a fixed tariff without penalty if they do so within six weeks of a price cap change. The cap moves every three months – January, April, July, October. If your fixed deal ends near one of those dates, you can switch to a cheaper tariff and demand a refund of any standing charges or exit fees you’ve already paid. The catch: you must act within the six-week window, and the supplier must honour it. Martin Lewis estimates the refund can hit £300 for a typical dual-fuel household.
Who qualifies – and who doesn’t
Customers on standard variable tariffs (SVTs) are already on the cap, so the rule doesn’t apply to them – they can switch anytime without penalty. But if you’re locked into a fixed deal that started before the last cap rise, you’re a prime candidate. OVO, Octopus, and EDF have confirmed they follow the rule, though some smaller suppliers may not. Check your contract’s exit fee: if it’s above £50 per fuel, the refund could be significant. The Energy Saving Trust advises calling your supplier and asking directly for the refund – don’t wait for them to offer it.
What it costs a typical 3-bed semi
Say you’re on a fixed deal at 28p/kWh for electricity and 7p/kWh for gas, with a £75 exit fee per fuel. The new cap is 30p/kWh and 8p/kWh. You switch to a cheaper fixed deal at 26p/kWh and 6p/kWh. Your exit fees total £150. Under the rule, the supplier must refund those fees plus any standing charges you’ve paid in the six-week window. On a typical dual-fuel bill of £1,800 a year, that’s roughly £300 back. But officials have not confirmed when applications open – you must act within six weeks of the cap change date, which for October’s rise is 1 October.
The bigger picture for eco-home owners
This trick is a short-term fix, not a long-term solution. The real savings come from cutting your energy use: loft insulation (costs £600–£1,000, saves £150–£200 a year), heat pumps (grants of £7,500 under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme), or solar panels (payback in 8–12 years). But while you’re planning those upgrades, the 6-week rule is free money. Households on standard variable tariffs can apply through their supplier’s customer service line from 1 October. Eligibility closes on 14 November – six weeks after the cap change. Don’t wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can claim up to £300 by switching suppliers within six weeks of a price cap change (e.g., 1 October). Contact OVO, Octopus, or EDF directly via customer service to request a refund of standing charges and exit fees from your fixed tariff.
You qualify if you're on a fixed tariff that started before the latest price cap rise and you switch within six weeks of the cap change (e.g., 1 October to 14 November). Standard variable tariff customers don't qualify as they can switch anytime without penalty.
For a typical 3-bed semi using 12,000 kWh a year, you could get up to £300 back. This includes refunds on exit fees (e.g., £75 per fuel) and standing charges paid during the six-week window after a cap change.
OVO, Octopus, and EDF have confirmed they follow Ofgem's rule and will refund exit fees and standing charges. Smaller suppliers may not, so check your contract or call them directly to confirm eligibility.
The deadline is 14 November 2025, six weeks after the 1 October price cap rise. You must switch suppliers and request the refund within this window, or you'll lose the chance to reclaim fees.
