Compare using the same annual consumption and include fees. Your bill can still rise on a fixed tariff if you use more energy.
What the current price cap means
For 1 October–31 December 2026, Ofgem’s typical dual-fuel Direct Debit illustration is £1,723 a year, a 4% increase. The cap limits rates and standing charges on covered default tariffs in Great Britain; it does not set a maximum total bill. Your usage, region, meter and payment method affect what you pay. Northern Ireland has a different regulatory system.
This figure is annualised, not a guaranteed price for the next 12 months. Later quarterly caps may change. Check Ofgem’s current rates before comparing. Information checked: 7 October 2026. Recheck after 31 December 2026.
Gather the right numbers
- Your last 12 months of electricity and gas usage in kWh, adjusted if your household has changed.
- Current and offered unit rates and daily standing charges, on the same VAT basis.
- Payment method, meter compatibility, tariff length and whether both fuels must move.
- Exit fees on the current contract and on the proposed one, including fees per fuel.
- Any joining requirements, discounts, minimum terms and what happens when the fix ends.
A monthly Direct Debit is a payment estimate. It may include an account balance and is not a like-for-like tariff comparison.
Compare the annual cost
For a straightforward single-rate tariff: annual cost = electricity kWh × electricity unit rate + gas kWh × gas unit rate + 365 × both daily standing charges. Convert pence to pounds. Add applicable fees and subtract only discounts you actually qualify for. Multi-rate tariffs need each rate’s usage separately.
Suppose two comparable estimates use identical consumption: £1,800 for your current rates and £1,700 for a fix. That is a £100 difference before fees. A £120 switching cost would make the fix £20 more expensive on that comparison. Future variable prices may rise or fall, so this does not predict the next year’s saving.
Use your own consumption rather than comparing your quote with the national typical-household figure.
When might fixing fit?
A reasonably priced fix may suit someone who values predictable rates and accepts the contract conditions. Staying variable may suit someone who values flexibility or would find exit fees difficult to absorb. If variable rates fall, a fix can become relatively expensive; if they rise, a fix can help protect against those rate increases.
January forecasts are uncertain. Test whether the offer works for you if variable prices stay similar, rise or fall; do not treat a forecast as a confirmed cap or a reason to rush.
Before accepting
- Check the offer directly with the supplier and compare alternatives.
- Confirm what is fixed, the start/end dates and exit fees.
- Consider moving house, changing consumption or needing to leave early.
- Check account credit/debt and any switching restrictions with your supplier.
- Keep the quote and terms and diarise a review before expiry.
If payments are unaffordable, contact your supplier about support before shopping around. See support routes and free debt-help guidance.
General guidance, not a tariff recommendation. We do not list live offers here. See Ofgem’s switching guidance.