DEALS & SAVINGS · OFGEM

Check fixed energy tariffs against Ofgem's October price cap

Effort: Low · OCTOBER 12, 2026

Potential savings vary by tariff, region and usage; no saving guaranteed

The price cap rose 4% from 1 October to £1,723 annualised for a typical direct-debit dual-fuel household; compare your actual rates before switching.

Why youAvoiding a worse tariff and reducing usage protects the Graduate visa savings target, but the cap figure is not a promise that a fixed deal saves money.

Ofgem says the price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026 increased by 4%. Its typical dual-fuel direct-debit illustration is £1,723 a year, about £60 more than the previous quarter. The cap limits unit rates and standing charges on default tariffs; it does not cap an individual household's total bill, which depends on consumption.

This is a prompt to compare your actual tariff, not an automatic recommendation to fix. Check your bill for supplier, tariff name, unit rates and daily standing charges, then compare an available fixed deal using your household's own annual usage. If bills are included in rent, this action may not be available to you; check the tenancy arrangement first.

Look closely at exit fees, payment method requirements, and how long the fixed rate lasts. A fixed tariff can be more expensive than the cap, while a cap can change every quarter. Ofgem's page gives the current regional unit rates and standing charges, which are more useful than the national annualised headline for comparing a quote.

Key insights

£1,723 is an annualised typical-use illustration, not your personal bill ceiling.
If utilities are included in rent, focus on other savings instead of spending time switching.
Compare unit rates and standing charges with your real usage; skip a fix that costs more or traps you with exit fees.

Check current rates → Open source page → Ofgem price-cap rates by region → MoneySavingExpert price-cap explainer →