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Martin: It's Meter Reading Week
On Sunday energy bills'll FALL an average 7%, but it'll still cost lots
My 9 need-to-knows, incl switch to cut costs

It's now autumn, temperatures are dropping, and without wanting to go all Game of Thrones, winter is coming. This Sunday, 1 October, the new October to December Energy Price Cap kicks in, falling on average by 7%.

So for the 90% of Eng, Scot & Welsh homes on a price-capped tariff (pretty much everyone who isn't on a fix), in simple terms, for every £100 you're currently paying, you'll pay v roughly £93 from Sunday.

Yet energy costs remain shockingly high, and this winter with no £400 energy support, many - especially lower users - will end up shelling out more than last. So I've 9 key need-to-know nows to help you prepare:

1. Seven per cent is an average, it can vary wildly depending on location and usage. Use our quick calc to see for you. The Price Cap isn't a limit on the total you pay, instead what happens is the regulator Ofgem caps the standing charge and unit rates for firms' standard (ie, default) tariffs by region and payment method (eg, direct debit, pay in receipt of bills and prepay). To find out what you'll pay in seconds, just use our Oct Price Change Calc.

And while it may be called a cap, in reality almost every firm prices their standard tariff at its max levels. To show you what's happening, here's the new direct debit UK averages (see region-by-region rates).

I can almost hear thousands of you gnashing your teeth as you read about the standing charge increase - a ridiculous call by Ofgem. Standing charges of over £300 a year, even if you use nowt, is an energy poll tax, and I will continue to campaign against it. See my Why are standing charges so high? What can you do? blog.

Overall, it means the structure of the change is regressive - higher users will save a bigger percentage than lower users. For example, someone in NW of England with just £500/yr bills will see them only fall by 2% (just a tenner), while someone with £5,000/yr bills will see them fall 8% (over £400).

2. Pay by monthly direct debit? It's Meter Reading Week. Those with a working smart meter shouldn't need to do owt. But if you don't have a smart meter, or it doesn't work, try to take a meter reading within a few days either side of the rate change (if after Sunday most let you backdate a few days) to reduce the risk of your supplier estimating you've used more at the higher rate than you actually have. Take a pic of the meter for extra peace of mind. See our firm-by-firm when & how to do a reading.

3. Do you have a non-smart electricity prepay meter? If so, the price change tends to happen when you top up. So aim to run what you have now down to near empty before 1 Oct (or top up just the minimum if you need), then top up as soon as you can from Sunday, even with just £1, as that triggers you being charged the lower rate. Full info in prepay top-up trick.

5. Are you due FREE insulation? If you're in council tax band A to D (& E in Scot & Wales) and your home's energy performance certificate rating is D or below, you may now be eligible for free insulation under the Govt's expanded scheme - our new Free insulation guide has full details. In Northern Ireland? See NI energy grants.

6. Is your direct debit about right? With the Cap change due, now's a key moment to check if you're paying the right amount. Enter your usage into our 'Is your direct debit right?' calc, and we'll give a rough estimate of what you should be paying. If it's out of kilter, ask 'em why and read how to challenge unfair direct debits.

7. What's predicted to happen to the Price Cap? Each Price Cap is only in effect for three months (see Energy Price Cap FAQs for full info on how it's calculated). After Sunday's fall, analysts Cornwall Insight currently predict it'll rise in January, then drop again in April - though it will stay cheaper than it is today. The further out you go though, the more it is crystal-ball gazing, and the more the predictions could change radically.

8. Are you getting all the help you qualify for this winter? There is no £400 energy support package for everyone like last winter, but there's still support for specific groups.

- £300 benefits cost of living payment dates are now out.
- Up to £600 pensioners' winter fuel payment.
- £150 Warm Home Discount for some on benefits with high energy use.
- And see our What to do if you're struggling to pay energy bills guide (there are hardship grants available for some).

9. Want to cut your usage? It's still quite warm, so for many this isn't urgent yet, but early planning is often the best way. See our Energy saving tips, the Energy mythbusting guide for less clear-cut issues and, if sadly necessary, our Heat the human not the home guide.