EnergyPlus · May 2026
Cheapest fixed energy tariff in the UK for next winter (May 2026)
Fixing in May locks your rate ahead of two cap announcements (Q3 in late May, Q4 in late August) and the full winter 2026/27 heating season. In May 2026 the cheapest 12-month dual-fuel fixes sit 2–6% below the April–June 2026 cap on typical use, 18-month fixes price slightly above 12-month deals but cover the whole heating season, and several no-exit-fee fixes sit at or just below cap. This page shows what's cheapest for your usage profile, weighs the fix-versus-float decision and tells you when to lock in.
Editorial information, not financial advice. Prices and policy can change — always confirm against the supplier and Ofgem.
Cheapest fix for winter 2026/27 — May 2026 at a glance
In May 2026 the cheapest 12-month dual-fuel fixes sit roughly 2–6% below the April–June 2026 Ofgem default tariff cap on typical use (2,700 kWh electricity + 11,500 kWh gas). 18-month fixes price slightly above 12-month deals but cover the full winter 2026/27 heating season. No-exit-fee fixes are at cap to ~2% below cap. Fixing before the Q3 cap announcement (late May) locks in current rates ahead of any rise — and is reversible if you pick a no-exit-fee fix.
Quick checklist (May 2026):
- 12-month fix: ~2–6% below cap on typical use, exit fee usually £50–£75 per fuel.
- 18-month fix: covers all of winter 2026/27, prices slightly above 12-month.
- No-exit-fee fix: at cap to ~2% below cap, no penalty to switch again later.
- Q3 2026 cap announced late May 2026 — fixing before is a hedge against a rise.
- Lock in by May to cover the full winter 2026/27 heating season.
- Last updated
- May 2026
- Reviewed by
- Energy Specialist
- Audience
- UK households & small businesses
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Fixes of 12/18/24/36 months trade certainty for flexibility.
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The cheapest fixed energy tariff for the UK winter 2026/27 in May 2026
A clear, current overview to help you choose with confidence.
Why fix in May 2026
Ofgem caps update quarterly: April, July, October, January. By fixing in May you lock current rates ahead of the Q3 (late May) and Q4 (late August) cap announcements, and you cover the full winter 2026/27 heating season — typically October to March, when gas use is 60–70% of annual total.
12-month vs 18-month vs 24-month
12-month fixes price the lowest and end mid-2027. 18-month fixes cover all of winter 2026/27 and end late autumn 2027 — slightly higher price for full-season certainty. 24-month fixes price highest of the three and lock you in to early 2028. Pick on the heating-season coverage and your view on where wholesale goes.
Cap rise vs cap fall — what risk you're taking
Fixing is a hedge. If the Q3 / Q4 / Q1 cap rises in succession, fixing in May 2026 saves you the rise. If the cap falls, you've paid above the cap floor. No-exit-fee fixes remove most of the downside — you can switch again to the cheaper deal without a penalty.
What the cheapest fixes actually offer
Big Six and challenger suppliers all run 12-month fixes priced 2–6% below cap on typical use. The cheapest deals usually require online billing and direct debit. Smaller challengers sometimes price below the cheapest Big Six but with shorter trading history — check the supplier's Citizens Advice star rating before signing.
Compare like-for-like
Indicative May 2026 view for a typical UK dual-fuel customer fixing for winter 2026/27. Run a personalised comparison with the form on this page.
| What to compare | Typical range (May 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Default (capped) dual-fuel tariff | Reference baseline | Floats with each quarterly cap. Apr–Jun 2026 cap currently in force. |
| 12-month dual-fuel fix (with exit fee) | ~2–6% below cap on typical use | Best annual saving. Ends mid-2027. Exit fees usually £50–£75 per fuel. |
| 18-month dual-fuel fix | ~0–4% below cap on typical use | Covers all of winter 2026/27 and ends late autumn 2027. |
| 24-month dual-fuel fix | Cap to ~3% below cap | Locks rate into early 2028. Higher upfront price for longer protection. |
| 12-month no-exit-fee fix | At cap to ~2% below cap | Switch again at any time with no penalty. Lower saving than the cheapest fix. |
How to lock in the cheapest fix for winter 2026/27 (May 2026)
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1. Find your annual kWh for both fuels
Use last winter's bill or your supplier app — the most recent 12 months of electricity and gas.
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2. Pick the fix length
12-month for the cheapest price, 18-month for full winter 2026/27 cover, 24-month for the longest lock.
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3. Compare on annual cost
Annual cost = (unit rate × kWh) + (standing charge × 365), summed for electricity and gas. Add any exit fees you'd incur on a switch.
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4. Check the supplier's Citizens Advice star rating
Quality differs supplier to supplier. A few stars more is worth a tiny price premium.
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5. Run a whole-of-market comparison
Use the form on this page — it surfaces every fix length and supplier for your postcode.
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6. Apply and submit opening reads
Switching takes 5 working days. Submit electricity and gas opening reads on day one.
Common pitfalls to avoid
The most frequent issues we see when households and businesses act on what looks like a good deal.
- Picking a 24-month fix in May 2026 if you think wholesale will fall — you may regret it by autumn.
- Comparing fixes on unit rate alone — annual cost depends on standing charge × 365 and your kWh.
- Letting a fix end and rolling onto the default — you go straight back to cap rates.
- Switching supplier just before a fix ends without checking exit fees — many fixes drop exit fees in the final 49 days.
- Ignoring the Citizens Advice star rating on a small challenger — supplier failure means SOLR moves you to a more expensive deemed tariff.
Frequently asked questions
Should I fix my energy tariff in May 2026 for next winter?
For most households, yes. The cheapest 12-month dual-fuel fixes already undercut the April–June 2026 cap by 2–6% on typical use, and fixing covers the Q3 and Q4 cap announcements plus the whole winter 2026/27 heating season. If you think the cap will fall sharply, a no-exit-fee fix at cap to ~2% below cap gives you certainty without lock-in.
What's the cheapest fixed energy tariff for winter 2026/27?
In May 2026 the cheapest 12-month fixes from challenger and Big Six suppliers sit roughly 2–6% below the April–June 2026 cap on typical use. The actual cheapest deal depends on your postcode (network region) and annual kWh — use the form on this page for a personalised comparison.
Is a 12-month or 18-month fix better for winter?
A 12-month fix ends mid-2027 and prices the lowest. An 18-month fix covers all of winter 2026/27, ends late autumn 2027 and prices slightly higher. If you want to be sure you're covered for the whole heating season without renewing mid-winter, an 18-month fix is the safer pick.
How much can I save by fixing for winter?
On typical use the cheapest 12-month fix saves roughly £40–£100 a year on the April–June 2026 cap. Savings climb above that if the cap rises in Q3 or Q4 — and shrink (or reverse) if the cap falls.
What happens if I move home during a fixed tariff?
Most suppliers waive exit fees if you move home and either take the tariff with you to the new address or close the account. Confirm the supplier's home-move policy before fixing for 18 or 24 months.
Can I switch from a fix to a cheaper fix?
Yes — you can switch any time, but you'll pay the exit fee on the original fix (usually £50–£75 per fuel) unless you're in the final 49 days. A no-exit-fee fix avoids this entirely.
What's the Ofgem cap right now?
The April–June 2026 cap is in force. The next cap (Q3 2026, Jul–Sep) is announced late May 2026 and takes effect 1 July. The cap sets the maximum unit rate and standing charge on default (standard variable) tariffs.
Is a tracker a better idea than a fix for winter?
Trackers like Octopus Tracker and E.ON Next Pulse have averaged sub-cap most days in early May 2026, but they pass through wholesale spikes day-to-day and need a SMETS2 smart meter. For most households a fix gives more certainty going into winter.
Trust, methodology and sources
Page governance
- Written by
- EnergyPlus Editorial Team
- Reviewed by
- Energy Specialist
- Last updated
- May 2026
How we keep this page current
We refresh this page each month against the latest Ofgem cap, supplier tariff changes and current scheme guidance. Worked numbers are illustrative; quotes you receive via the comparison form are personalised to your meter and postcode.
Editorial independence: our priority is clarity and like-for-like comparison. Where commercial relationships exist, options are still presented on suitability and the information available at the time.
Reputable UK sources we reference
- Ofgem — energy price cap
- Citizens Advice — energy supplier ratings
- Ofgem — typical domestic consumption values
- Energy Saving Trust — home energy
If you spot anything that looks out of date (a rule change, a new scheme), please contact EnergyPlus so we can review and update this page.
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