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

Quick answer: the July 2026 Ofgem price cap is £1,663/yr, so a well-chosen fixed or time-of-use tariff matters more than ever. This hub gives you straight answers and links to every EnergyPlus guide, then lets you compare whole-of-market deals for your postcode.

  • What the current £1,663 cap means — and why fixing now can save ~£300/yr
  • Guides to Economy 7, Economy 10, time-of-use, standing charges, SEG export & EV tariffs
  • Plain-English help on bills, meters, smart meters and moving home
  • Quick form to compare home energy deals across the market
Compare home energy deals Browse the guides

Verified August 2026. For domestic (home) energy only. Switching availability depends on your address, meter type, and supplier acceptance.

Compare home energy deals under the current price cap

With the variable price cap now at £1,663/yr, 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.

Tip: Your postcode identifies your local electricity distribution region, which affects standing charges (currently ~58p/day in the East Midlands up to ~70p/day in Merseyside & North Wales). If you know your annual kWh it sharpens the estimate, but it isn't essential to start.

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Prefer to read first? Use the jump links above to check the price cap, tariff guides, meters, and common pitfalls — then return here to compare.

The July 2026 Ofgem price cap, explained

Ofgem confirmed the Q3 (July–September) price cap. For a typical dual-fuel home paying by direct debit, the cap is £1,663/yr. The cap limits the maximum unit rates and standing charges on default/variable tariffs in Great Britain — it does not cap your total bill, because your usage still drives the cost.

What's changing

Typical annual cap is £1,663 — a +13% step up from the April–June level.

Why fixing can help

Several open-market fixes already sit below the new cap. Locking in now 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.

All EnergyPlus guides (updated for 2026)

Browse our in-depth, regularly-refreshed guides. Each is written for UK households and verified against current 2026 tariffs and the July 2026 cap.

Economy 7 tariffs →

Cheap overnight power (7-hour night window, ~00:30–07:30). Off-peak from ~12.5p/kWh; best for storage heaters or ≥40% night use.

Economy 10 tariffs →

Ten cheaper hours split across night, afternoon and evening — useful for homes that can't shift everything to the small hours.

Time-of-use tariffs →

Smart-meter tariffs that price each half-hour differently. Great if you can move washing, charging and heating to cheaper slots.

Standing charges →

Where charges are highest and lowest, plus no-standing-charge tariffs (~30% higher unit rates) and when they actually win.

SEG export rates →

Get paid for solar you export. Octopus Intelligent Flux up to 32.17p/kWh, Octopus Flux 29.32p, Good Energy 25p flat — ranked for 2026.

Best EV tariffs →

Overnight charging from ~7p/kWh: Intelligent Octopus Go, E.ON Next Drive, OVO Charge Anytime and more, compared for 2026.

Ready to act on what you've read? Compare energy prices across the whole market, or jump back to the quick comparison form.

How to pick the right tariff in 2026

There's no single "best" tariff — the right one depends on how and when you use energy. Use this quick guide, then compare your postcode.

If your household... Consider Typical 2026 rate Read the guide
Wants price certainty under the current price cap A fixed tariff Several fixes below the £1,663 cap Compare fixes
Has storage heaters / heavy overnight use Economy 7 or 10 Off-peak from ~12.5p/kWh Economy 7 / Economy 10
Drives an electric car An EV smart tariff Overnight from ~7p/kWh Best EV tariffs
Can shift washing/heating to cheap slots Time-of-use Half-hourly pricing Time-of-use
Has solar panels (and maybe a battery) A strong SEG export deal Export up to 32.17p/kWh SEG export
  1. Know your usage shape — roughly how much of your electricity falls overnight or in off-peak windows. ≥40% at night usually favours Economy 7.
  2. Compare unit rate AND standing charge — a low unit rate with a high daily charge can still lose for a low-usage home.
  3. Check the end date and exit fees — locking in now is only worth it if the fix beats your expected cap cost over the term.
  4. Match the tariff to your meter — smart, Economy 7/10 and prepayment meters each open or limit certain deals.

Home energy basics: what actually affects your bill

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 switching energy works in the UK

Switching is usually straightforward for domestic customers. In most cases your supply isn't interrupted — you're changing who bills you, while the physical pipes and wires stay the same.

  1. Check your current tariff — note any end date and whether there's an exit fee.
  2. Compare like-for-like — same payment method and meter type, weighing both unit rate and standing charge.
  3. Submit your switch — your new supplier starts the process and contacts your current one.
  4. Provide a meter reading — usually around the switch date so final and opening bills align.
  5. Switch completes — you're billed by the new supplier from then on. Keep an eye on direct debits during the transition.

Good to know: If you're in debt to your current supplier, you may still be able to switch depending on the amount, payment arrangement and meter type (especially for prepayment meters).

Moving home: set up energy correctly from day one

When you move, you usually inherit the existing supplier at your new address. You can switch, but record readings to avoid being billed for someone else's usage.

  1. On moving day: take gas and electricity meter readings (and photos if possible).
  2. Notify the existing supplier: give the readings and your move-in date.
  3. Set up your account: confirm contact details and payment method.
  4. Compare tariffs: once set up, switch to a deal that suits your household.
  5. Keep records: save confirmation emails and final statements from your previous address.

Renting? You can usually choose your own supplier unless your rent includes bills or your tenancy says otherwise (common in some HMOs).

Cut your bills for good with solar

Compare free, no-obligation quotes from vetted local solar & battery installers.

Home energy FAQs (UK) — August 2026

How do I pick the best tariff in 2026?

Start from how and when you use energy. If you want certainty under the current price cap, look at a fixed deal below £1,663; 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?

the Ofgem cap is +13% higher at £1,663/yr for a typical dual-fuel direct-debit home. It caps default-tariff rates, not your total bill.

Is it worth fixing my energy tariff now?

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.

About this page — last updated August 2026. Figures reflect the current Ofgem price cap (£1,663) and current open-market tariff rates verified in August 2026. We review this hub whenever the cap or major tariffs change. Always confirm unit rates, standing charges, contract length and exit fees before agreeing to any tariff.

Beat the higher cap — compare your home energy now

With the cap moving to £1,663, a couple of minutes could lock in a better deal. Complete the form to request a whole-of-market comparison for your address and meter type.

  • Domestic gas and electricity comparisons
  • Fixed, variable, Economy 7/10 and EV/time-of-use options (where available)
  • Guidance for renters, movers and smart/prepayment meters
Start my comparison Browse the guides

Already filled the form? Use the section links above to double-check tariff types, the price cap, and moving-home steps.

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Updated on 22 Jul 2026