Fixed Rate Tariffs
Lock in a set unit rate for a fixed period, typically 12 to 24 months. Great for budgeting and protection against price rises, though you may pay exit fees if you leave early.
Compare home energy deals
Fixed, variable, dual fuel and green tariffs for your postcode, with an estimated annual cost for each. Free to use.
Ofgem's dual-fuel Direct Debit cap is £1,723 a year from 1 October to 31 December 2026. A fixed tariff can lock a different rate.
Compare energy deals (opens MoneySuperMarket in a new tab)You'll compare on our partner MoneySuperMarket and enter your postcode there. It takes about 2 minutes. We may earn a commission from our partners. It never changes the price you pay.
Energy supplier guides
Read our guides to the UK's main energy suppliers before you compare tariffs for your postcode.
Is Now the Right Time to Switch Your Energy Tariff?
The official Ofgem price cap for 1 October–31 December 2026 is £1,723 a year for a typical dual-fuel Direct Debit household (2,500 kWh electricity and 9,500 kWh gas). That is 4% / £60 higher than July–September 2026 (£1,663). Ofgem published it on 26 August 2026.
April–June 2026 was £1,641. That figure is historical. It is not the current cap.
A fixed tariff locks the unit rate you agree. Compare that annual total with the £1,723 illustration at your own usage.
Ofgem announces the January–March 2027 cap on 25 November 2026. No later quarter is set.
Helpful Energy Guides
- How Smart Meters Work: A Step-by-Step Guides
- Moving Home Gas And Electricity UK
- The Cheapest Energy Supplier in the UK for Affordable Electricity Options
- How to Compare Cheapest KWh Electricity Prices in the UK
- Cheapest Gas Tariff UK - How to Find and Switch
- The Ultimate Guide to Lowering Your Fuel Bill in UK
- Most Expensive Energy Supplier UK 2026
- The Cheapest Dual Fuel Energy Supplier UK - Comparing Prices
- Dual Fuel Energy Tariffs in the UK - A Comprehensive Guide
- Cheapest Small Business Energy Company UK
- When Do Energy Prices Go Up in the UK
- Who is Cheaper than British Gas in 2026?
- Top 10 Worst Energy Suppliers UK (2026): Who to Avoid and Why
- Who Is the Most Expensive Gas and Electricity Supplier in the UK? (2025)
- How to Seek Compensation for Incorrect Energy Billing
How do I switch my gas supplier?
£1,723
typical dual-fuel Direct Debit, 1 October–31 December 2026.
The energy price cap is
26.32p
per kWhwith a standing charge of 54.83p per day (0% VAT).
On the October–December 2026 cap, electricity costs
7.97p
per kWhwith a standing charge of 29.68p per day (5% VAT).
On the October–December 2026 cap, gas costs
£60
more a year than July–September 2026 (£1,663) for the same typical household, a 4% rise.
The October cap is
What should I consider when comparing energy tariffs and suppliers?
Should I choose a fixed or variable energy tariff?
A fixed tariff locks the unit rate you agree for the contract term. A variable tariff follows the Ofgem cap. For October–December 2026 the typical dual-fuel Direct Debit figure is £1,723. Compare a written quote at your own usage.
Are there any exit fees on energy tariffs?
What is a dual fuel deal and is it cheaper?
How long does it take to switch energy suppliers?
How to Find the Best Energy Tariff and Change Supplier Hassle-Free
Switching your energy supplier is simpler than you think. Here's how it works in three easy steps.
Share a few quick details
Tell us about your home, current energy supplier, and how much energy you use, it only takes a few minutes to get started.
Compare deals with our partner
We take you to our partner MoneySuperMarket to see tariffs at your address, whether each is fixed or variable, and any exit fees.
Switch easily and start saving
Once you confirm your switch, your new supplier will handle the whole process. Not ready yet? You can leave a fixed deal without exit fees in its last 49 days.
FAQs
How do I find the cheapest energy tariff?
Enter your postcode and we'll take you to our partner MoneySuperMarket, which lists tariffs available at your address with an estimated annual cost for the usage you enter. Check that figure against your own bill before you switch.
Can I switch if I'm in debt to my current supplier?
What happens to my credit when I switch?
Do I need a smart meter to switch?
What is the Energy Price Cap?
The energy price cap is the maximum amount that energy suppliers in Great Britain can charge domestic customers on default (standard variable) tariffs per unit of gas and electricity used. It is set by the regulator Ofgem and reviewed every three months.
The cap does not limit your total bill, it limits the unit rate and standing charge you pay. So if you use more energy, your bill will still be higher. The cap is based on the energy use of a typical household.
For 1 October–31 December 2026 the typical dual-fuel Direct Debit figure is £1,723 (2,500 kWh electricity and 9,500 kWh gas). July–September 2026 was £1,663. The April–June 2026 cap of £1,641 is historical.
Am I Covered by the Price Cap?
The energy price cap applies to households in England, Scotland, and Wales who are on a default or standard variable tariff. This includes most people who have never switched supplier or whose fixed deal has ended.
Prepayment meter customers are covered by a separate version of the cap. Customers in Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man are not covered by Ofgem's price cap.
If you are on a fixed-rate tariff, the price cap does not directly apply to you, your rates are fixed until your deal ends. However, when your fixed deal expires, you will typically move onto your supplier's standard variable rate, which is then subject to the cap.
What's the Average Cost of Energy in the UK?
October–December 2026 national Direct Debit averages for England, Scotland and Wales, published by Ofgem on 26 August 2026:
1
26.32p per kWh for electricity, with a daily standing charge of 54.83p (0% VAT until 31 March 2027).
2
7.97p per kWh for gas, with a daily standing charge of 29.68p (includes 5% VAT).
Published Ofgem Price Cap Levels
These are Ofgem's published typical dual-fuel Direct Debit figures. They are not forecasts.
October–December 2026 is £1,723, up 4% / £60 from £1,663 in July–September. The April–June 2026 figure of £1,641 is historical.
Ofgem announces the January–March 2027 cap on 25 November 2026. No later quarter is shown here.
Period
Typical Direct Debit bill
Status
1 April–30 June 2026
£1,641/year
Historical
1 July–30 September 2026
£1,663/year
Published, now past
1 October–31 December 2026
£1,723/year
Current
Not ready to switch yet? Note when your fixed deal ends.
Your supplier must write to you before a fixed deal ends, and you can leave without exit fees in the last 49 days of the contract. If you don't choose a new deal, you move onto your supplier's standard variable tariff, which follows the Ofgem price cap.
Compare home energy dealsWhat other energy tariffs can I compare?
Electricity-Only Tariffs
If your home is not connected to the gas network or you have switched to an electric heating system, an electricity-only tariff gives you full control over your electricity costs without bundling in gas.
Dual Fuel Tariffs
Manage both your gas and electricity with a single supplier on one bill. Dual fuel deals can sometimes offer a small discount and simplify your energy management, though it's worth comparing against separate deals.
Green Energy Tariffs
Choose a tariff backed by renewable electricity or certified green gas. Some suppliers match 100% of your usage with energy from renewable sources, helping to reduce your household carbon footprint.
Effective Ways to Lower Your Energy Bills
Beyond switching supplier, there are practical steps you can take to cut your energy consumption and reduce your bills. Simple changes — like switching to LED bulbs, draught-proofing your home, and using appliances during off-peak hours — can add up to meaningful savings over a year.
Insulating your loft and walls can significantly reduce heat loss and lower the amount of gas or electricity needed to heat your home. Government schemes such as the Great British Insulation Scheme may be able to help with the cost if you qualify.
A smart meter sends readings to your supplier automatically, and its in-home display shows what you're using as you use it, so it's easier to see where the money goes. Most suppliers fit smart meters at no extra charge.
What you can count on when you switch
£0
to use Switch. We may earn a commission from our partners. It never changes the price you pay.
It costs
14 days
to cancel a new energy contract without a penalty.
Cooling-off period
5
working daysis how long most switches take once you've confirmed.
Switching time
No
break in your gas or electricity supply. Only the company that bills you changes.
Supply
Need Help with Bills?
What help is available if I can't afford my energy bills?
If you're struggling to pay your energy bills, contact your supplier directly, they are obligated to offer you a repayment plan you can afford. You may also be eligible for the Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payment, or Winter Fuel Payment depending on your circumstances.
What is the Warm Home Discount?
Can I get help with my energy bills if I'm on benefits?
What is the Priority Services Register?
What should I do if I can't pay my prepayment meter debt?
Typical Energy Consumption for a UK Household
The medium row is Ofgem's October–December 2026 typical dual-fuel Direct Debit (2,500 kWh electricity / 9,500 kWh gas). Small and large rows are illustrative, not official cap totals.
← Swipe to see all columns →
Ask Squid AI
Price cap? Fix or not? Just ask.
Squid AI explains the Ofgem price cap and fixed vs variable tariffs in plain English, then takes you to compare tariffs for your postcode.
Squid AI can make mistakes, so check the deal page before you buy.
Energy FAQs
How often is the energy price cap reviewed?
The energy price cap is reviewed by Ofgem every three months. Changes take effect in January, April, July, and October. Ofgem publishes the new cap level around six weeks before it comes into effect.
What is the difference between a unit rate and a standing charge?
Is it worth switching energy supplier every year?
Can I switch if I rent my home?
What is a smart export guarantee (SEG)?
Can I switch to a green energy tariff?
How do I complain about my energy supplier?
How We Work
How does Switch make money?
Switch is free to use. We may earn a commission from our partners, including MoneySuperMarket, when you switch through a link on our site. It never changes the price you pay.