Home energy guides & FAQs (UK) — tariffs, bills & switching, June 2026

Compare home energy deals before the 1 July 2026 rise

With the variable price cap climbing to £1,862/yr from 1 July 2026, fixing or moving to a smarter tariff is one of the few levers households still control. EnergyPlus compares gas and electricity across the market and explains the details that decide what you actually pay — unit rates, standing charges, contract length, and exit fees.

Complete the form to request a comparison for your household. A recent bill makes results more accurate — but you can still begin with just your postcode. Prefer to read first? Jump to all guides or how to pick a tariff in 2026.

What's changing

Typical annual cap moves to £1,862 from 1 July 2026 — a +13% step up on the current April–June level.

Why fixing can help

Several open-market fixes already sit below the new cap. Locking in before 1 July can save a typical home around £300 over 12 months versus riding the variable rate.

Standing charges

Electricity standing charges run ~58p/day (lowest) to ~70p/day (highest), ~63p/day national typical (~£230/yr). See our cheapest standing charge guide.

Unit rate (p/kWh)

The price for each unit of energy you use. The more you use, the more the unit rate matters relative to the standing charge.

Standing charge (p/day)

A daily fixed cost for staying connected (~63p/day typical for electricity in 2026). Even low users pay it — see the cheapest standing charge guide.

Your meter & tariff type

Prepayment, Economy 7/10 and smart meters change which tariffs you can take and how prices apply across the day.

How do I pick the best tariff in 2026?

Start from how and when you use energy. If you want certainty before the 1 July cap rise, look at a fixed deal below £1,862; if you use a lot overnight, Economy 7/10 or an EV/time-of-use tariff can beat single-rate. Then compare your postcode here.

What is the July 2026 price cap?

From 1 July 2026 the Ofgem cap rises +13% to £1,862/yr for a typical dual-fuel direct-debit home (confirmed 27 May 2026). It caps default-tariff rates, not your total bill.

Is it worth fixing before 1 July 2026?

Often yes. With several fixes already below the new cap, locking in can save a typical home around £300 over 12 months. Just check the term length and any exit fees against how long you'll stay.

Should I get Economy 7 or a normal tariff?

Economy 7 (a 7-hour night window, off-peak from ~12.5p/kWh) wins when roughly 40%+ of your electricity is used overnight — storage heaters, hot-water tanks or EV charging. Otherwise its higher day rate can cost more. See our Economy 7 guide.

What's the best EV charging tariff right now?

Overnight EV rates start around 7p/kWh — e.g. Intelligent Octopus Go (23:30–05:30), E.ON Next Drive and OVO Charge Anytime. Compare them in our best EV tariff guide.

I have solar panels — how do I get paid for export?

Via a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff. Top 2026 rates reach 32.17p/kWh (Octopus Intelligent Flux, battery + Octopus import) down to a 5–7p variable floor. Full ranking in our SEG export guide.

What's the difference between unit rate and standing charge?

The unit rate is what you pay per kWh used; the standing charge is a fixed daily cost (~63p/day typical for electricity). Comparing both gives a truer picture, especially for low-usage homes.

Will my supply go off if I switch?

Typically no — switching changes who bills you, not the physical supply. Admin issues can occasionally delay completion, but interruptions aren't expected.