Should I fix my energy or stay on the Price Cap?

How to check if it's worth fixing your energy

Before you switch to a fix (or any other tariff), you need to understand how the Price Cap will dictate what you pay if you were to stick on a price-capped tariff. Bear in mind this only really applies to one-year fixes – it's a much harder decision if you want to fix for longer. 

1. If you're not on a fix, you're almost certainly on a price-capped tariff, so that's what you need to compare against

   Almost every household is currently on a standard tariff with prices dictated by the Energy Price Cap. For a household with typical usage, paying by Direct Debit, it's currently set at £1,663 a year (this may look lower than expected as Ofgem has lowered 'typical consumption').

   But remember, the Cap is not a cap on how much you pay – it only limits standing charges and gas and electricity unit rates. See Price Cap FAQs for full info or see the full region-by-region rates in our Price Cap rates guide.

   Yet that's not the full story as the Price Cap changes every three months, so you need to know how it's likely to change over the next year...

2. The Price Cap rose by 13% on 1 July

   The most important thing to understand is that price-capped tariffs are variable, and the prices change every three months in line with the Cap.

   So when considering if it's worth switching to a fixed deal, you need to look at what is expected to happen over the course of the next year. A fix that looks decent now could end up costing you more over the next year if energy prices drop.

   Energy Price Cap – confirmed changes and future predictions

   Time period	Price Cap on typical use (1)
   PREVIOUS PRICE CAP 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026	£1,477 a year
   NEW PRICE CAP 1 July 2026 to 30 September 2026 Confirmed	UP 12.6% £1,663 a year
   1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026 Crystal ball-gazing (2)	UP 0.4% £1,670 a year
   1 January 2027 to 31 March 2027 Crystal ball-gazing (2)	DOWN 0.7% £1,658 a year
   1 April 2027 to 30 June 2027 Crystal ball-gazing (2)	UP 0.2% £1,661 a year

   Based on a dual-fuel household paying by Direct Debit. (1) 2,500 kilowatt hours of electricity, 9,500 kilowatt of gas. (2) According to the latest predictions (on week beginning 29 June 2026) from EDF's Price Cap Forecasting Service.

3. Energy prices have risen sharply in recent months - is it worth fixing?

   Energy wholesale rates have spiked due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, leading to the sharp, 13% increase in the Price Cap from July.

   If you're one of the 60% of households on the Price Cap, and can get a saving of 10% or so less than the July's Price Cap (more is better), it’s likely you’ll save substantially over the next year.

   That's because after July's hike, the current predictions are that October’s Cap will increase marginally. After that things become a bit more crystal ball-gazing, but experts suggest it will stay similar in January.

Top energy deals

We've a list of the top standalone energy deals below. Savings are compared against the current Price Cap, which ends on 30 September 2026. Yet what you'll pay varies by region and usage, so it's best to get a bespoke comparison. You can use our Cheap Energy Club to see the top fixes for you.

Fixing isn't your only choice to save

For most, locking into a cheap fix is usually the simplest and safest way to save, but there are alternatives. We've full info on the alternatives to fixing below, but in brief, these include: 

• Discounted Price Cap tariffs – these are variable tariffs that typically offer a fixed discount on the Price Cap for 12 months.

• Cheaper variable tariffs – these are standard variable tariffs, so they are still controlled by the Price Cap, but some providers have set their rates below the max allowed by Ofgem. These include Home Energy, which is on average 16% cheaper than the Price Cap, and Octopus Energy, which offers a £10 saving on average on the maximum standing charge costs allowed under the Cap.

• 'Tracker' tariffs – such as Octopus Tracker, where the rates change every day, and Agile Octopus, where the rates changes every half-hour, based on wholesale energy prices (what providers pay for gas and electricity).

• Electric vehicle energy tariffs – specifically designed for those with electric vehicles (EVs), EV energy tariffs tend to offer cheaper off-peak rates for charging your vehicle, usually overnight, and higher peak rates for all other usage. See what EV tariffs are available.

Is it worth fixing for longer? 

Until recently, some longer fixes were reasonably priced, but energy prices have shot up over the last few weeks, making all fixes much more costly, so it might not be the best time to lock in long-term - though as always do check yourself. Plus no analysts predict the Price Cap rate more than about a year out, as the market is too volatile. So there's an element of uncertainty here. You can see how longer tariffs stack up for you in our Cheap Energy Club. 

What are the alternatives to fixing?

If you don't want to fix you energy tariff, there are other options, including...

1. Do nothing – stick on the Price Cap

   Around 60% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales are on standard variable tariffs set on or near the maximum level they can be under regulator Ofgem's Price Cap. This cap changes every three months.

2. Cheaper variable tariffs that undercut the Price Cap

   While firms are unable to charge those on standard tariffs more than the Price Cap, they can charge less if they wish to. There are several variable tariffs to switch to that can work out cheaper than the current Price Cap.

   Variable tariffs that discount the Price Cap

   These variable tariffs change with the Price Cap every three months, but give you a discount on either the Price Cap unit rates or the standing charges, so a household will always pay less than the Cap over 12 months when on one of these tariffs.

   • Where the tariff gives a discount off the Price Cap standing charges, this will be a fixed amount for 12 months. Your unit rates will match the Price Cap for your region. These are particularly good for low to medium energy users.

   • Where the tariff places a discount on the Price Cap unit rates, your actual discount will vary depending on your usage. Your standing charges will be the same as the Price Cap standing charges for your region.

   If you're not willing to fix, and you'd just end up sticking on a price-capped standard variable tariff, these are worth considering. They all last for 12 months and are available to new and existing customers. You can see how these compare to other tariffs in our Cheap Energy Club.

   Discounted Price Cap tariffs

   Provider and tariff name	Price Cap discount on dual fuel tariff	Exit fees
   Tariffs that discount Price Cap unit rates - better for higher users
   So Energy So Green	3% off unit rates (on average) plus £20 dual-fuel MSE cashback via Cheap Energy Club	£50 per fuel
   E.on Next Pledge	3% off unit rates (on average)	£25 per fuel
   Tariffs that discount Price Cap standing charges - better for low users
   EDF Simply Tracker (1)	£50 off standing charges plus £20 dual-fuel MSE cashback via Cheap Energy Club	£25 per fuel
   Scottish Power's Cap Tracker	£15 off standing charges	None

   Updated 23 June 2026. All of these tariffs last for 12 months and require a smart meter. (1) Available on smart prepay.

   There are standard variable tariffs cheaper than the Price Cap

   There are a handful of standard variable tariffs that are cheaper than the Price Cap, including: 

   • Home Energy's Fair Variable tariff is a variable dual-fuel or electricity-only Direct Debit-only tariff that's currently 16% cheaper on average than the Price Cap. As it's a variable tariff there are no exit fees, so you can switch to a better deal if its prices rise – and there are no guarantees if or when that might happen.

     Home Energy is a small and fairly new supplier, with little feedback on its customer service, but you will see them in our Cheap Energy Club comparison. As it's a variable tariff, with no fixed end date, the rates and standing charges are governed by the Price Cap, so you'll never pay more than that if you choose to switch to this tariff.

   • Octopus Energy's Flexible Octopus is another variable tariff that's cheaper than the Price Cap, but only by a few quid. Octopus discounts its standing charges on this tariff (but charges the Price Cap for unit rates), making it on average about £10 cheaper than the Price Cap. Co-op Energy, which is now part of Octopus Energy, offers the same tariff. You can see how Octopus and Co-op Energy's tariffs compare in our Cheap Energy Club.

   The Octopus Tracker tariff – prices change daily based on wholesale rates

   The Octopus Tracker tariff is available to existing Octopus customers (though others can just switch first to its standard tariff, then to this) with dual-fuel, electricity-only and gas-only options.

   

   Rates change daily depending on wholesale costs (and where you live), which makes it more of a gamble. The key is, it is variable, so there's uncertainty to what you pay.

   You WILL need to keep a close eye on the rates in case wholesale prices rise, as they have done recently. If it does start to get expensive, you can switch back to Octopus' price-capped standard tariff (though it may take two weeks and you switch back to the Tracker for nine months afterwards).

   Plus, so Octopus can change the rates daily and keep charging you the right amount, you'll need to get a smart meter (if you don't already have one) to be on this tariff.

   While rates can be cheaper, they can spike suddenly if wholesale costs rise

   Currently, two thirds of homes have their energy prices controlled by regulator Ofgem's Price Cap. These are largely based on wholesale energy prices, and only change every three months, so there's a big time-lag between changes in wholesale prices and any change to the actual rates we pay. 

   Yet Octopus Tracker follows wholesale costs on a daily basis, and prices are reflected in the rates you pay the next day, so it gives quicker access to falling prices. But if wholesale prices start to climb - as they have recently due to the conflict in the Middle East - so too will the rates you pay. You'll need to be willing to keep tabs on the changing unit rates to ensure it's still competitive. 

   Octopus Tracker also has a £1-a-kilowatt-hour maximum cap on electricity and 30p-a-kilowatt-hour maximum cap on gas, so if prices do rise rapidly, there is a limit on what you would pay for each unit of energy you use.

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3. 'Time-of-use' tariffs – good for those who can control peak usage, not just for electric vehicle charging

   

   Time-of-use tariffs work very similarly to Economy 7, where you pay a different rate for your electricity depending on when, during the day, that you use it.

   Many time-of-use tariffs are currently aimed at electric vehicle (EV) owners. Most Electric vehicle (EV) energy tariffs give cheaper off-peak electricity rates at night - allowing households to charge their vehicles at a lower rate when there's less demand on the grid - and higher peak rates during the day.

   Yet some energy suppliers have started offering time-of-use tariffs to a wider audience, without the need for an EV. So if you can shift your usage outside of peak periods, these tariffs could help you save on your energy bills.
   
   Read Martin's blog on why consumers need to be protected before time-of-use Tariffs take over.

   Agile Octopus

   On Octopus Energy's Agile Octopus tariff the rates you pay change every 30 minutes, every day, based on wholesale energy prices nationwide demand - with cheaper rates at certain times of the day when demand is lower.
   
   While mainly aimed at those with EVs, solar panels and batteries or storage heaters, any one can get it, so if you can shift your use out of high use periods - such as in the evenings - it could be worth considering.

   Changes in wholesale prices are reflected in the rates you pay almost immediately

   This means quicker access to falling prices – but if wholesale rates start to climb, so too will the rates you pay. 

   The tariff has a £1-a-kilowatt-hour maximum cap, so if prices do rise rapidly, there's a limit on what you would pay for each unit of electricity you use.

   If you want to leave Agile Octopus, you can switch to the Octopus standard tariff at any time without charge, but you can't move back to Agile or to any other of its smart tariffs within 30 days.

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   You can GET PAID to use electricity on Agile Octopus

   Agile Octopus is the only tariff in the UK that passes 'negative' prices to customers – through what the firm calls 'Price Plunge' events. These happen occasionally, whenever more electricity is generated than consumed, meaning wholesale prices drop below zero for a short period.

   Price Plunge events don't happen frequently, but when they do, customers are notified by text, so you can take advantage of being paid to use electricity.
   

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   Who can get Octopus Agile?

   Agile Octopus tariff is electricity-only, so you'll need a separate gas tariff if you have gas. It's for existing customers only, so if you're not already with Octopus, you'll need to move to its standard variable tariff first.

   You'll also need to get a smart meter that gives half-hourly meter readings, so if you don't already have one, or you don't want (or can't get) one, it's not for you.

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   E.on Next Smart Saver

   The E.on Next Smart Saver tariff offers three different electricity rates throughout the day, including 'peak' (4pm-7pm), 'off-peak' (5am-4pm and 7pm-2am) and 'super off-peak' (2am-5am).

   While the super-off peak rates are much cheaper than current Price Cap rates, the peak rates are around 50% more, so it's likely only to be worth it if you can avoid using electricity in the evenings, and shift your usage to during the night.
   
   The rates are fixed for 12 months, but there are no early exit fees, so you can switch to another tariff or supplier if you find this isn’t working for you.

   E.on Next Smart Saver offers three electricity rates throughout the day

   Below are the average E.on Next Smart Saver tariff electricity rates:

   E.on Smart Saver - average unit rates and standing charges

   	Electricity	Gas
   Super off-peak (1)	12.79p/kWh	6.16p/kWh
   Off-peak (2)	18.68p/kWh	6.16p/kWh
   Peak (3)	39.33p/kWh	6.16p/kWh
   Daily standing charge	57.21p per day	29.09p per day

   Updated 11 June 2026. (1) 2am to 5am. (2) 5am to 4pm and 7pm to 2am. (3) 4pm to 7pm.

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   EDF FreePhase Dynamic and FreePhase Static

   EDF's FreePhase Dynamic and FreePhase Static tariffs offers three different rates through the day. EDF call the different periods 'Red' (4pm-7pm), 'Amber' (6am-4pm and 7pm-11pm) and 'Green' (11pm-6am). 'Green' is when the rate is cheapest, 'Red' is when it's the most expensive.

   The FreePhase Dynamic tariff moves in-line with wholesale electricity prices, while the FreePhase Static offers fixed unit rates for 12 months. Both are electricity-only tariffs, but you can pair it with any gas tariff, and standing charges are 57p per day. There are no exit fees, so you can ditch and switch if you find they work out more expensive.

   In addition, both versions of the tariff offer periods of free electricity when wholesales prices go negative - usually when there is a lot of renewable energy being generated and demand is low. EDF will send you a text alert before a free period starts so you can make the most of the free energy. The daily standing charge still applies.

   EDF FreePhase Dynamic tariff

   For the Dynamic tariff, prices for the next day will be published on EDF’s FreePhase Dynamic price tracker. The unit rate is capped at 75p/kWh, even if wholesale prices go higher.

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   EDF FreePhase Static tariff

   EDF FreePhase Static - average rates

   	Average rate
   Red (1)	44.08 p/kWh
   Amber (2)	23.07 p/kWh
   Green (3)	15.72 p/kWh

   Updated 7 May 2026. (1) 4pm to 7pm. (2) 6am to 4pm and 7pm to 11pm. (3) 11pm to 6am.

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What to do if you're struggling to pay your energy bills

There are three key areas you can focus on:

• Have you got all the help you qualify for? Our What to do if you're struggling to pay your energy bills guide covers everything you can do and where to get help, and has info on all the cost of living support schemes.

• Check you're paying the right amount. You can use our Energy Price Cap Calculator to see how much you'll pay from July.

• Try to cut your energy usage. There are lots of ways to easily reduce what you use. See our Energy saving tips, or the Energy mythbusters guide for less clear-cut issues, and our Heat the human guide.