Gas and electricity:
find a cheaper deal in 5 minutes
19 million UK households are on a standard variable tariff. If you have not compared in the last 12 months, there is a good chance you are overpaying. Switching takes 5 working days and never cuts off your supply.
The standard variable tariff is currently capped at £1,641 per year for a typical dual-fuel household (Q2 2026). It is forecast to rise by up to 13% in July. If you have not compared tariffs recently, a fixed deal could save you £150 to £400 per year and protect against the July increase. Switching takes 5 working days and never cuts off your supply.
Fixed deal vs standard variable tariff
Fixed rate deal
Your unit rate and standing charge are locked for the length of the deal, typically 12 to 24 months. You are protected against quarterly price cap increases. If the cap rises in July as forecast, you will not be affected. Fixed deals can be above or below the current cap. Comparing by postcode is the only way to see what is available for your home.
Standard variable tariff
Your unit rate tracks the Ofgem price cap, which is reviewed every January, April, July, and October. You are not locked in and can switch at any time. But you have no protection against cap increases, and you may be paying more than a competitive fixed deal. Currently capped at £1,641 per year for a typical household.
Standard variable tariff cap based on Ofgem Q2 2026 price cap (1 April to 30 June 2026). Source: Ofgem. Last updated May 2026.
How to switch gas and electricity supplier
Compare tariffs by postcode
Enter your postcode and ideally your annual kWh usage from a recent bill. The cheapest tariff varies by region, meter type, and payment method. There is no single national cheapest deal.
Choose your deal and sign up
Select the tariff that suits you. You will need your postcode, current supplier name, and payment details. The whole process takes around 10 minutes online.
Your new supplier handles the rest
Your new supplier contacts your old one and arranges the switch. It completes within 5 working days. Your supply is never interrupted. You will receive a final bill from your old supplier.
Is it worth switching gas and electricity in 2026?
The price cap has fallen from its peak of £2,500 in 2023 to £1,641 in Q2 2026, but it is forecast to rise again in July by up to 13%. If you are on a standard variable tariff, locking into a fixed deal before July could protect against that increase and potentially save you money compared to the new cap level.
Even if a fixed deal is not significantly below the current cap, the certainty of a fixed price is worth considering if the cap is about to rise. Households who fixed before previous cap increases have consistently ended up paying less over the fixed period than those who stayed on the variable rate.
The other reason to compare is simply that you may not be on the cheapest deal available. Some suppliers run competitive fixed deals that sit below the cap for new customers. The only way to know is to compare by postcode. See our compare energy tariffs page to see what is available.
Ready to find a cheaper deal?
Compare gas and electricity tariffs by postcode. Takes around 5 minutes. No obligation to switch.
Questions people ask
Enter your postcode, current supplier name, and annual kWh usage into a comparison service. Results show all available tariffs sorted by annual cost. The cheapest deal varies by region and meter type, so postcode is essential for accurate results.
Switching gas and electricity supplier takes around 5 working days under the Ofgem Energy Switch Guarantee. Your supply is never interrupted. The switch is entirely administrative and your new supplier handles the whole process.
Yes, particularly if you are on a standard variable tariff. The price cap is forecast to rise by up to 13% in July 2026. Locking into a fixed deal before July could protect against that increase. Households switching from the standard variable rate to a competitive fixed deal regularly save £150 to £400 per year.
No. Switching energy supplier never interrupts your supply. Gas and electricity continue through the same pipes and wires. The switch is an administrative change and your new supplier handles everything.
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