Most UK households are overpaying for energy without realising it. The good news? The average saving we identify is between £200 and £500 and comparing energy prices takes just minutes. This guide explains when and how often you should compare to keep your bills as low as possible.
As a rule of thumb, you should compare energy prices at least once a year. But in reality, checking more often can save you even more.
Here’s a simple way to think about it:
Energy prices don’t stand still. With the price cap changing regularly and suppliers adjusting their tariffs, a deal that was competitive last year may no longer be the best option today.
This is the most important time to compare. If you are on a fixed tariff and you don’t switch by the end date of your contract, you will go on to your supplier’s SVT and that’s rarely the cheapest option.
Action: Set a calendar reminder for 6 weeks before your contract ends. This gives you time to compare and switch before you roll onto a more expensive default tariff.
The prices are reviewed in January, April, July and October by Ofgem. Each change can significantly affect your bills.
Action: Use these dates as comparison prompts. You don’t need to switch every time the cap changes, but it’s worth checking if there’s a better deal available.
Never assume your new property is on the best tariff. If you move house, you inherit the supplier of the previous tenant and will automatically be placed on its standard plan (also known as standard variable rate tariff) when the supplier takes you on.
Action: Compare energy prices as soon as you move. You might find significant savings by switching to a different supplier or tariff.
A new electric vehicle, working from home, or a new baby can shift your energy needs. What was the best deal for your old usage pattern might not be now.
Action: Run a fresh comparison when your household circumstances change.
If your energy supplier collapses, you’ll be moved to a new supplier on a default tariff. This is a good time to compare and switch to something cheaper.
The cost of staying on an expensive tariff adds up quickly.
Why SVTs are expensive:
The real cost of inaction: If you stay on an SVT for just two years without comparing, you could be leaving £200–£700 on the table.
The Energy Price Cap was introduced on 1 January 2019 by regulator Ofgem, with the aim of preventing the millions of households on expensive variable tariffs from being ripped off. It limits what you pay for each unit of gas and electricity that you use, plus it sets a maximum daily standing charge (what you pay to have your home connected to the grid).
One of the biggest myths about switching is that it takes weeks and disrupts your supply. It doesn’t.
The switch should be completed within five working days once you’ve signed up with a new supplier under Ofgem’s Energy Switch Guarantee. Some switches now take as little as one working day, depending on your meter type and supplier, although you can specify a later date if you prefer.
Even if you’re in a contract, it’s still worth comparing. You can see what’s available and decide if switching later makes sense.
Comparing energy prices is straightforward. Here’s how to do it right:
Don’t just look at the unit rate. Compare:
Once you’ve found a better deal, switching is simple:
A few simple habits can keep your energy bills in check long-term:
Every 3 months we review and set a level for how much an energy supplier can charge for each unit of energy and daily standing charge, under the price cap. The prices are reviewed in January, April, July and October.
The only way to know is to compare — it takes minutes and there’s no obligation. The average saving we identify is between £200 and £500, so it’s almost always worth checking.
Check your bill or contact your supplier. If you’re not on a named fixed deal with an end date, you’re probably on an SVT. While many suppliers use clear names such as “Standard Tariff”, which can easily be identified as the default rate, others use misleading names like “Flexible Saver”.
Yes. For prepayment meter customers, Ofgem’s energy price cap will be applied to the price you pay for each unit of energy. The unit price varies regionally, by payment method and depends on the time of day that the energy is used but the majority of prepayment meter customers will see their unit prices decrease and electricity standing charges increase to be in line with those set by Ofgem from 1 April 2026.
No. Comparing energy prices does not involve a credit check, so it won’t affect your credit score.
You can still compare to see what you’d save by switching. Calculate whether the exit fee is worth paying based on your potential savings. Many tariffs have exit-fee-free windows near the end of the contract.
It depends on your current tariff and usage, but the average saving we identify is between £200 and £500 per year. Some households save even more.
The cost of not comparing is real. A standard variable tariff, which is capped at £1,758 from 1 January to 31 March 2026, is usually the most expensive deal for customers. By comparing energy suppliers just once a year, or ideally every 3–6 months, you can avoid overpaying and keep hundreds of pounds in your pocket.
The bottom line: