Is it free to use Switch to compare energy?

Yes. Switch is completely free to use. We earn a commission from some suppliers when a customer switches, but this never affects the prices or rankings you see. Results are always ranked by total annual cost.

Compare Energy Deals & Save Up to £400/Year

Fixed, variable, dual fuel and green tariffs from every major UK supplier, ranked by annual cost, free and impartial.

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Compare Energy Deals & Save Up to £400/Year

Q: Is now a good time to switch energy supplier?

Yes. The Ofgem price cap is £1,641/year for Q2 2026, but forecasts indicate a rise of up to 18% from July 2026. Fixing now locks in today's lower rate for 12 to 24 months.

Q: How much can I save by switching energy supplier?

Households switching from a standard variable tariff to a competitive fixed deal typically save £150 to £400 per year depending on property size and usage.

Q: Will switching energy supplier interrupt my supply?

No. Your gas and electricity supply continues without interruption. Under the Energy Switch Guarantee, the switch completes within 5 working days with no gap in service.

Q: What is the Ofgem energy price cap?

The Ofgem price cap limits the maximum unit rate and standing charge your supplier can charge on a standard variable tariff. It is reviewed quarterly. The Q2 2026 cap is £1,641/year for a typical household.

Q: What is a fixed energy tariff?

A fixed tariff locks your unit rate for 12 or 24 months, protecting you from price cap rises. Fixed tariffs usually have an exit fee if you leave early. Variable tariffs follow the price cap and typically have no exit fee.

Q: Can I switch energy if I have a smart meter?

Yes. SMETS2 smart meters retain full functionality with any Ofgem-licenced supplier. SMETS1 meters (pre-2018) may temporarily revert to manual reading mode when you switch.

Q: What is a dual fuel energy tariff?

A dual fuel tariff means you buy both gas and electricity from the same supplier. This can simplify billing and sometimes includes a small loyalty discount. Switch compares dual fuel and single fuel options side by side.

Fixed, variable, dual fuel and green tariffs from every major UK supplier, ranked by annual cost, free and impartial.

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Is now the right time to switch energy tariff

Is Now the Right Time to Switch Your Energy Tariff?

The Ofgem price cap for Q2 2026 is set at £1,641 per year for a typical UK household using 11,500 kWh of gas and 2,700 kWh of electricity. However, energy analysts are forecasting a rise of up to 18% from July 2026, meaning households on standard variable tariffs could see bills climb to over £1,900 per year within months.

Fixing your tariff now locks in today's lower unit rate for 12 or 24 months. You do not need to wait until your current contract ends, Switch will show you all available fixed deals and calculate whether the potential saving outweighs any exit fee from your current plan.

If you have not compared in the last 12 months, there is a strong chance you are overpaying. The cheapest fixed deals today are typically 15 to 22% below the Q3 2026 forecast cap.

How do I switch my gas supplier?

Switching your gas or electricity supplier is simpler than most people realise, and it has never been faster. The Energy Switch Guarantee means your transfer completes within 5 working days, with zero interruption to your supply. The same pipes and cables deliver energy to your home regardless of which company bills you.

To switch, you will need your current tariff name, approximate annual usage (in kWh, found on a recent bill), and your postcode. Enter these into Switch, choose your preferred deal, and we handle everything from there. Your new supplier sends a notification to your old one. You do not need to contact your existing provider.

The only thing to watch for: if you are still inside a fixed-term contract, check the exit fee before switching. Your current supplier is required to tell you the exact figure. For many households, the saving on the new deal outweighs the exit fee within 6 to 8 months.

How to Find the Best Energy Tariff and Change Supplier Hassle-Free

Three steps to finding a cheaper energy deal and completing your switch.

Enter Your Postcode

Enter your postcode into our energy comparison tool to see every tariff available at your address. The results show unit rates, standing charges, and total annual cost, so you can make a fair like-for-like comparison across all suppliers.

Review the Results

Our comparison tool tells you which energy companies compare in your neighbourhood. For every listing you get a full breakdown of the deal: the tariff type (a fixed rate with unit rates locked for 12 to 24 months, or a variable rate that tracks the Ofgem price cap), the green credentials (what percentage of the tariff's electricity comes from renewable sources), and the total annual cost (projected full-year costs including unit rates and standing charges, not just the headline monthly figure).

Choose Your Best Deal

Once you have selected your new tariff, we handle the switch end-to-end. Your new supplier contacts your old one and manages the transfer on the agreed date. You stay online throughout, no engineer visit, no interruption, no paperwork.

How the Energy Switching Process Works

From comparison to live tariff, what happens at each stage.

Compare tariffs

Enter your details and see every available tariff ranked by total annual cost. Filter by tariff type, contract length, or supplier.

Select your deal

Choose the tariff that suits you. We show exit fees, unit rates, standing charges, and the Ofgem Green Homes certification where applicable.

We notify your supplier

Your new supplier sends an industry-standard switching request to your current provider. You do not need to contact anyone. Your old supplier has 5 working days to complete the transfer.

Your switch goes live

On the agreed transfer date, your new tariff activates. Your supply is never interrupted. Your new supplier will contact you to confirm the switch and provide your first bill date.

What is the Energy Price Cap?

The Ofgem energy price cap is the maximum unit rate and standing charge that energy suppliers can charge customers on a standard variable tariff (SVT). It was introduced in January 2019 to protect households from excessive pricing and is reviewed by Ofgem every quarter based on wholesale energy costs.

For Q2 2026 (April to June), the price cap is set at £1,641 per year for a typical dual-fuel household, based on Ofgem's standard consumption values of 11,500 kWh of gas and 2,700 kWh of electricity. The cap applies to the unit rate and standing charge, not your total bill, so households that use more will pay more.

The cap does not apply to fixed-rate tariffs. If you are on a fixed deal, your unit rate is locked regardless of what happens to the cap. This is why fixing before a forecasted cap rise is a common money-saving strategy.

How Much Could You Save?

£80 to £150

1 bed flat / single occupant

1,800 kWh elec + 7,500 kWh gas

£150 to £300

2 to 3 bed house / couple

2,700 kWh elec + 11,500 kWh gas

£250 to £400

3 to 4 bed family home

4,100 kWh elec + 17,000 kWh gas

£60 to £130

Electricity-only (no gas)

3,100 kWh electricity

Will Energy Rates Come Down in 2026?

Most independent forecasters expect the Ofgem price cap to rise again in Q3 2026 (July to September), with Cornwall Insight projecting increases of between 10% and 18% above the current Q2 level. Wholesale gas and electricity prices have remained elevated through early 2026, driven by continued demand from European markets and reduced Norwegian gas flows.

For Q4 2026 (October to December), some analysts expect a modest reduction as winter demand passes and LNG import capacity increases. However, the long-term outlook through 2027 remains uncertain. Most consumer finance experts are recommending that households fix their energy tariff now to protect against the Q3 spike.

If you are currently on a standard variable tariff, you have no protection against the forecasted July rise. A 12-month fixed deal locked in today at current rates would shield you from any cap increase until at least mid-2027.

Not quite ready to switch? No worries, sign up for price alerts instead!

Our free price alert service monitors the market and notifies you the moment a cheaper deal becomes available for your postcode. No spam, no sales calls, just a single email when you could save money.

Start comparing and sign up

Is it true that low-cost energy means worse customer service?

The assumption that cheap tariffs come with poor service is a legacy of the early challenger supplier era, when underfunded startups cut corners on support to offer aggressive prices. Several of those suppliers collapsed in 2021 and 2022, reinforcing the perception. The 2026 market is different.

Octopus Energy, consistently the cheapest or near-cheapest supplier on most comparison results, has held Which? Recommended Provider status every year since 2019. OVO Energy, the second-largest challenger, scores similarly on customer satisfaction metrics. Service quality and low prices are no longer in conflict.

The best way to judge a supplier is through independent reviews. Trustpilot, Which?, and Citizens Advice all publish annual supplier rankings. Switch shows you both the tariff cost and the service rating for every supplier, so you can make a fully informed decision.

What other energy tariffs can I compare?

Switch compares every tariff type available from Ofgem-licenced UK suppliers.

Fixed Rate Tariffs

Lock your unit rate for 12 or 24 months. Best if you want cost certainty and want to protect against price cap rises.

Variable Tariffs

Your rate moves with the Ofgem price cap. No exit fees, ideal if you want flexibility or are planning to move home.

Dual Fuel Deals

Gas and electricity from one supplier. Compare combined tariffs and see if bundling saves you money vs separate contracts.

Green Energy Tariffs

100% REGO-backed renewable electricity. Green tariffs are now competitively priced, often the same cost as standard deals.

Prepayment Meters

Pay-as-you-go energy for households on prepayment or smart prepay meters. Compare PAYG tariffs from all major suppliers.

Economy 7 Tariffs

Off-peak electricity at a cheaper rate for 7 hours overnight. Ideal for storage heaters, EV charging, and night-time appliances.

Effective Ways to Lower Your Energy Bills

Switching to a cheaper tariff is the single fastest way to reduce your energy bill, but it is not the only one. Combining a competitive tariff with a few behaviour changes can reduce a typical household's annual bill by £300 to £600.

Smart meters give you real-time visibility of your usage. Households with smart meters use an average of 3% less electricity and 2% less gas than those without, simply because seeing the cost in real time changes behaviour. All UK households are entitled to a free SMETS2 smart meter from their current supplier.

Draught-proofing doors and windows costs under £50 and can save up to £60/year. Lowering your thermostat by just 1°C reduces heating bills by around 10%. Switching to LED lighting, washing at 30°C instead of 40°C, and using a cold water setting on dishwashers together save a further £30 to £50 per year.

Need Help with Your Energy Bills? We've Got You Covered!

If you are struggling with energy bills, there is a range of government and supplier support available. The Warm Home Discount provides a £150 rebate on your electricity bill each winter, automatically applied by your supplier if you qualify. Most major suppliers participate, and eligibility is based on receiving certain means-tested benefits.

The Energy Bills Support Scheme and Cold Weather Payments provide additional relief for vulnerable households during cold snaps. Your local council may also offer free loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, or boiler replacement under the Great British Insulation Scheme, reducing long-term energy costs without any upfront cost.

If you are on a standard variable tariff and cannot afford to pay your bill, contact your supplier immediately. Ofgem requires all licenced suppliers to offer affordable repayment plans and to refer customers to the Energy Ombudsman if a dispute cannot be resolved.

Typical Energy Consumption for a UK Household

Ofgem standard consumption figures, used to calculate your estimated annual cost.

Property Type	Bedrooms	Electricity (kWh/yr)	Gas (kWh/yr)	Est. Annual Cost (Q2 2026 cap)
Flat / studio	1	1,800	7,500	~£930
Mid-size house	2 to 3	2,700	11,500	~£1,641
Large house	4 to 5	4,100	17,000	~£2,320
Electricity only	Any	3,100	—	~£790
Economy 7 home	Any	4,200 (day + night)	11,500	~£1,550

← Swipe to see all columns →

Energy FAQs

Is now a good time to switch energy supplier?

Yes. The Ofgem price cap for Q2 2026 is £1,641/year, but forecasts indicate a rise of up to 18% from July 2026. Fixing now on a 12-month deal locks in today's lower rate and protects you from the Q3 increase.

How much can I save by switching energy supplier?

Will switching energy supplier interrupt my supply?

What is the Ofgem energy price cap?

What is a fixed energy tariff?

Can I switch energy if I have a smart meter?

What is a dual fuel energy tariff?

Is it free to compare energy with Switch?

Start Comparing Cheap Energy Deals Now

The July 2026 Ofgem price cap is forecast to rise by up to 18%. Households that fix now secure today's lower rates for 12 to 24 months. Every comparison is free, independent, and takes under 5 minutes.

Compare Energy Deals Now Compare Home Energy Expert Help: 01926 942125

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