Cheapest Energy Supplier UK 2026
The energy price cap fell in 2026, but fixed deals are now cheaper than the cap again. If you haven't switched since 2022, you're almost certainly overpaying — typically £150-£300 a year on a typical dual-fuel home.
What you get
- Compare every Ofgem-licensed UK supplier
- Fixed deals lock in price for 12-24 months
- No interruption to supply — same wires, same pipes
- Switch takes 5 days, no engineer visit
- £0 exit fees on most current deals
How to choose
Fix or stay on the cap?
If a 12-month fix is within 5% of the current price cap, fix it. The cap moves quarterly — fixing removes that uncertainty.
Direct debit beats pay-on-receipt
Direct debit tariffs are 6-7% cheaper than paying on receipt of bill. Set up DD even if you'd rather pay monthly cash.
Smart meter? Try a TOU tariff
Time-of-use tariffs (like Octopus Agile) reward off-peak use. If you can shift dishwasher/EV charging to off-peak, savings can be huge.
Bundle or unbundle?
Dual-fuel (gas + elec from same supplier) is usually cheaper than two single tariffs — but always check both.
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What to compare
| Feature | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Tariff type | Fixed (price-stable) vs Variable (tracks the cap) |
| Length | 12, 18 or 24 months |
| Exit fees | £0-£75 per fuel |
| Payment | Monthly direct debit usually cheapest |
| Smart meter | Required for TOU tariffs |
FAQs
- Will my supply be interrupted?
- No. Switching is purely a billing change. The same gas and electricity flow through the same network.
- How long does a switch take?
- 5 working days under the Energy Switch Guarantee.
- Can I switch if I'm in debt to my supplier?
- Yes, if the debt is under £500 and less than 28 days old. Otherwise pay it down first.
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