Compare UK energy tariffs today
The price cap is £1,723 a year. Compare the whole market on your usage today and lock in a fixed or smart deal priced below the cap for the full term lands.
Compare now
Quick answer: should you compare energy tariffs today?
Yes. The Ofgem price cap is £1,723 a year for a typical dual-fuel home for October–December 2026 (on Ofgem’s updated consumption values). That cap only limits the Standard Variable Tariff. Several fixed and smart tariffs are already priced below the current cap, and some carry no exit fees. Comparing today on your actual usage lets you lock in a rate for the full term lands — the around 40% of homes already on a fixed deal are unaffected by the rise.
- The cap rises, it does not fall: £1,641 → £1,663 → £1,723/yr (July: gas up around 24%, electricity up around 5%).
- Beat it with a fix: a deal priced below the £1,723 cap protects you from the quarterly changes.
- Compare on usage, not the headline: the cheapest tariff depends on your kWh and standing-charge mix, not the typical figure.
- Tip: take a meter reading on the day the cap changes so the old cap covers everything you used up to that date.
Find a better energy deal in minutes
The price cap limits unit rates on the Standard Variable Tariff — it is not the cheapest deal, and it sits at £1,723/yr for typical use. With the cap rising, fixed and smart tariffs priced below it can save you money and give you price certainty.
Enter your postcode and fuel type and we compare the whole market on your actual usage, so you only see deals that genuinely beat your current rate. It takes about a minute and there is no obligation to switch.
Why comparing now beats the next cap change
A competitive fixed deal priced below the £1,723 cap shields you from further rises — and because the July rise was driven mostly by wholesale gas, gas-heavy homes felt it the most. Here is how the July–September cap compared with April–June.
Figures are Ofgem typical-use values for a dual-fuel direct-debit home; your bill depends on your actual usage. Since 1 October: £1,723/yr (updated consumption basis).
How to compare energy tariffs in 4 steps
- Grab a recent bill or meter reading. Your annual kWh for gas and electricity drives the comparison — if you do not have it, a good estimate based on home size and occupants works.
- Enter your postcode and fuel type. Unit rates and standing charges vary by region, so your postcode tailors the results to your area.
- Compare deals against the £1,723 cap. We rank the whole market on your usage and show the annual cost and how far each deal sits below the cap.
- Pick a deal and switch. Choosing a fixed or smart tariff priced below the cap takes about 5 minutes; your new supplier handles the switch with no interruption to supply.
What to check when you compare
Unit rate & standing charge
High users should focus on the per-kWh unit rate; low users watch the daily standing charge, which you pay whether you use energy or not.
% below the cap
A good fix should beat the £1,723 current cap. The bigger the gap, the more you save versus staying on the Standard Variable rate.
Exit fees & term
Check the contract length and any exit fees. Some fixes have no exit fees, so you can leave free of charge if a better deal appears.
Fixed vs variable vs time-of-use — which suits you?
Around 40% of homes are already on a fixed deal and are not affected by cap changes. If you are on the Standard Variable Tariff, switching to a competitive fix is the single clearest way to beat the rise.
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Compare UK energy tariffs — FAQs
With the cap at £1,723/yr, a competitive fixed deal locks in protection for the full term. Several fixes are already priced below the current cap and some have no exit fees, so you can leave if a cheaper deal appears.
For 1 April–30 June 2026 the cap was £1,641/yr for a typical dual-fuel direct-debit home. It is £1,723/yr (electricity 26.32p/kWh + 54.83p/day; gas 7.97p/kWh + 29.68p/day). Prepayment is around £1,812 and standard credit around £2,005.
A typical dual-fuel home on the Standard Variable Tariff pays the capped rate rather than a below-cap fix; the exact amount depends on your usage. Your exact increase depends on how much gas and electricity you use, as gas rates rise far more than electricity.
The July increase was driven mainly by higher wholesale gas costs, so gas unit rates rose by around 24% while electricity rose only around 5%. Homes that rely heavily on gas for heating and hot water felt the rise the most.
No. Only the Standard Variable Tariff tracks the cap. The roughly 40% of homes already on a fixed deal keep their agreed rates until the fix ends, so they are protected from cap changes.
The cap is £1,723/yr for October–December 2026; the next change takes effect on 1 January 2027 (Ofgem announces the January–March level on 25 November 2026). A fixed deal lets you hold a known rate rather than ride the quarterly changes.
Compare on your actual annual usage, not the headline cap figure. Check the unit rate, standing charge, contract length and exit fees, and how far each deal sits below the £1,723 cap. If you have an EV, heat pump or battery, consider a smart time-of-use tariff.
Written by: EnergyPlus Editorial Team. We compare the whole market on your actual usage; figures shown are Ofgem typical-use values and your bill will depend on how much energy you use.
Beat the Ofgem price cap rise
Compare the whole market on your usage today and lock in a deal below the £1,723 cap.
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