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The reliable way to compare tariffs is to annualise both offers using your home’s actual electricity and gas consumption, then add standing charges, exit fees and any conditional discounts. A fixed tariff locks its quoted unit rates for a stated term. A standard variable tariff can change; in Great Britain, covered default tariffs are limited by Ofgem’s price cap. The cap limits unit rates and standing charges, not the total amount your household can use or pay.
Collect your postcode, current tariff, annual kWh figures, meter type and payment method before looking at deals. Then compare the complete cost and the risk you are accepting, rather than choosing solely from a headline monthly estimate.
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What “fixed” and “variable” mean
The tariff type describes how the supplier sets your rates, not whether your direct-debit payment stays unchanged.
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|---|---|---|
| Unit rates | Agreed rates stay fixed for the contract term, subject to the terms of the offer. | Rates can change. In Great Britain, covered default tariffs are subject to Ofgem’s price cap. |
| Standing charge | The quoted daily charge applies for the fixed term unless the contract says otherwise. | The daily charge can change within the applicable cap limits. |
| Exposure to market changes | You have more certainty during the term, but you may not benefit immediately if variable rates fall. | Your rates can fall or rise when the supplier changes them. |
| Leaving | An early-exit fee may apply if you leave before the end date. | There may be no fixed-term exit fee, but check the specific tariff conditions. |
| Price-cap protection | Fixed tariffs are not protected by the price cap; the contracted rates apply. | Covered default tariffs have capped unit rates and standing charges, but your total bill still depends on usage. |
Ofgem explains the difference between the cap, individual rates and the final bill in its price-cap and standing-charge guidance.
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Collect the right information before comparing
A comparison is only meaningful when both offers are based on the same household, region and payment arrangement. Have these details ready:
- Postcode: suppliers set different rates by distribution region.
- Current supplier and tariff name: this identifies whether you are on a fixed deal, a standard variable tariff or another product.
- Annual electricity and gas use in kWh: use the figures on a recent statement or your annual consumption history, not a generic “typical household” illustration.
- Unit rates and daily standing charges: record these separately for each fuel.
- Payment method: Direct Debit, standard credit and other methods can have different prices or eligibility rules.
- Meter type: a single-rate, Economy 7 or other multi-rate meter requires the matching tariff calculation.
- Contract end date and exit fee: a fixed deal can charge you for leaving early. Read the current contract or ask the supplier for the exact amount.
- Special conditions: check paperless-billing requirements, smart-meter requirements, payment deadlines, bundled services and any discount that expires.
Ofgem’s switching guidance confirms that these details are needed when comparing directly with suppliers or through an energy price comparison website.
Calculate the annual cost of each offer
1. Use your actual annual consumption
Find the annual kWh total for electricity and gas on a bill, annual statement or meter-history record. If your usage has changed materially—for example, because of a heat pump, electric vehicle, occupancy change or insulation work—use a recent representative period and explain the change to the comparison service or supplier.
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Do not compare a fixed offer calculated with your usage against a variable illustration based on a national “typical” customer. The result will not describe your likely bill.
2. Apply the unit rate to each fuel
For each fuel, multiply annual kWh by the quoted price per kWh. Convert pence to pounds first:
annual usage (kWh) × unit rate (pence per kWh) ÷ 100
Keep electricity and gas separate. A supplier can have a relatively attractive electricity rate but an expensive gas rate, or vice versa.
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3. Add 365 days of standing charges
The standing charge is payable each day, including days when you use no energy. Calculate it separately for each fuel:
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daily standing charge (pence) × 365 ÷ 100
This component has an outsized effect on a low-use home. A tariff with a slightly lower unit rate can still cost more overall if its daily charge is substantially higher.
4. Add the two fuels and contract costs
Your basic annual estimate is:
(electricity kWh × electricity rate) + (365 × electricity standing charge) + (gas kWh × gas rate) + (365 × gas standing charge)
Then include any known exit fee, one-off charge, recurring fee, guaranteed discount and the conditions attached to a payment method. Treat a time-limited discount as applying only for the stated period; do not annualise it as though it lasts for the whole contract unless the offer says it does.
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The following is a calculation method, not a supplier quote. It uses a hypothetical home consuming 3,200 kWh of electricity and 10,000 kWh of gas, with the average Direct Debit rates Ofgem publishes for England, Scotland and Wales for 1 October to 31 December 2026.
| Fuel | Hypothetical use | Unit-rate cost | Standing-charge cost | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 3,200 kWh | 3,200 × £0.2632 = £842.24 | 365 × £0.5483 = £200.13 | £1,042.37 |
| Gas | 10,000 kWh | 10,000 × £0.0797 = £797.00 | 365 × £0.2968 = £108.33 | £905.33 |
| Combined illustrative annual total | £1,947.70 | |||
Because the consumption figures in this example are chosen for demonstration, the total is not an expected bill for a typical household. Replace them with your own kWh figures and replace the rates with the exact regional, meter and payment-specific rates on the offer.
Use the correct 2026 price-cap figures
For 1 October to 31 December 2026, Ofgem lists these average Direct Debit rates across England, Scotland and Wales:
| Fuel | Average unit rate | Average daily standing charge | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 26.32 pence per kWh | 54.83 pence per day | Average for the stated quarter and geography; actual rates vary by region, payment method and meter type. |
| Gas | 7.97 pence per kWh | 29.68 pence per day | Average for the stated quarter and geography; the displayed gas figure includes 5% VAT. |
Ofgem’s unit-rate and standing-charge table says the figures are averages, not an individual quote. It also notes that electricity VAT is zero from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. Check the treatment shown on your supplier’s offer, especially if you are comparing different billing periods.
The cap applies to covered standard variable/default tariffs in Great Britain. It limits the maximum unit rate and daily standing charge, not a customer’s annual bill. Using twice as many kWh produces a higher bill even when the supplier is charging a capped rate. A fixed tariff sits outside that cap, so its contracted rates must be compared directly with the variable offer.
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Compare more than the headline unit rate
Standing-charge break-even
To compare two offers, calculate the difference in annual standing charges and the difference in annual unit-rate cost. A tariff with a lower unit rate makes up for a higher standing charge only when your consumption is high enough. The break-even usage for one fuel is:
(annual standing charge of tariff A − annual standing charge of tariff B) ÷ (unit rate of tariff B − unit rate of tariff A)
Use pounds consistently in the calculation. If the denominator is zero or negative, the two rates do not produce a simple positive break-even point. For a dual-fuel decision, calculate electricity and gas separately before adding the results.
Contract length and exit fee
A two-year fixed contract can provide longer rate certainty than a one-year deal, but it also keeps you committed for longer. If the current supplier charges an exit fee, include it in the cost of leaving now. Then compare that fee with the realistic saving over the remaining months—not with a promotional headline that may expire.
Payment and meter eligibility
A quote may be unavailable or priced differently if you change from Direct Debit to another payment method, use a prepayment meter or have a multi-rate meter. Verify that the quoted rate is for your actual meter configuration. Do not substitute a single electricity rate for an Economy 7 offer that has separate peak and off-peak prices.
How to compare Economy 7 and other multi-rate electricity tariffs
For a multi-rate meter, split your annual consumption into each time band. Obtain the peak kWh and off-peak kWh from your bill or meter history, then calculate:
(peak kWh × peak rate) + (off-peak kWh × off-peak rate) + (365 × daily standing charge)
Compare that total with the equivalent single-rate tariff using the same annual electricity consumption. A low off-peak rate helps only if a meaningful share of your use occurs during the off-peak period. Heating water or charging a vehicle outside the scheduled window can change the result; ordinary daytime cooking, lighting and appliance use generally remains peak consumption unless your tariff defines the periods differently.
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- Confirm the exact peak and off-peak hours; they can differ by meter and tariff.
- Use your actual split, not an assumed percentage.
- Check whether clocks change the schedule seasonally.
- Include the standing charge in both alternatives.
Decide which risk profile fits your household
| Household situation | Questions to answer | What the comparison may indicate |
|---|---|---|
| You need predictable budgeting | Is the fixed rate affordable after including the standing charge, and can you remain for the full term? | A fixed deal may be preferable if certainty is worth the commitment and exit fee risk. |
| You may move soon | Could you leave before the contract ends, and what is the exact exit fee? | A variable tariff or a flexible fixed product may avoid paying to leave, subject to its own terms. |
| Your usage is very low | How much does each offer collect in annual standing charges? | Standing-charge differences can outweigh small unit-rate differences. |
| Your usage is high or changing | Will a new appliance, electric vehicle or heating system alter your kWh profile? | Recalculate with a realistic future usage range; a headline rate alone is unreliable. |
| You use Economy 7 or another multi-rate meter | What proportion of your electricity is genuinely off-peak? | Choose the tariff whose combined peak, off-peak and standing-charge total is lower for your pattern. |
| You expect rates to fall and can tolerate changes | Can your budget absorb a variable-rate increase? | A variable tariff preserves flexibility but exposes you to future rate changes within the applicable rules. |
There is no universally cheapest tariff. The answer depends on consumption, region, meter, payment method, contract timing and how much certainty you value.
Switch step by step
- Record your current deal. Write down the supplier, tariff name, unit rates, standing charges, payment method, annual kWh and fixed-term end date.
- Check the exit terms. Ask the current supplier for the exact early-exit fee and whether the fee changes as the end date approaches.
- Gather a current meter reading. Keep the reading and date for your records. A smart-meter or estimated-reading issue can otherwise complicate the opening and closing bills.
- Compare offers using the same inputs. Enter your postcode, fuel choice, annual consumption, meter type and payment method into a comparison service, or request a quote directly from suppliers.
- Open the full tariff details. Record unit rates, standing charges, contract length, exit fee, payment conditions, discounts and any eligibility requirement.
- Annualise the cost yourself. Use the formula above and test a higher- and lower-usage scenario if your consumption is uncertain.
- Check the current supplier. The best available option may be a new tariff from your existing supplier, so switching supplier is not automatically necessary.
- Confirm the switch. Keep the confirmation, agreed rates, start date and meter reading. Continue paying the current supplier until the switch completes and the final bill arrives.
Common comparison mistakes and how to correct them
Mistaking the cap for a maximum annual bill
Problem: You assume the quoted cap figure is the most your household can pay.
Fix: Treat the cap as a limit on covered per-kWh rates and standing charges. Multiply by your own consumption and add the daily charges.
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Problem: A lower pence-per-kWh figure looks cheaper while the daily charge is much higher.
Fix: Annualise both components for each fuel and combine them.
Using the wrong region or payment method
Problem: You copy an average national figure or a Direct Debit quote when you pay another way.
Fix: Use the exact postcode, payment method and meter details required by the offer. Ofgem’s published figures are averages, not a universal price.
Ignoring an exit fee
Problem: You compare a new annual estimate with the current tariff but omit the cost of leaving the current fixed contract.
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- INSTALLS IN CIRCUIT PANEL of most homes with clamp-on sensors. Supports Single phase, Single-split phase, and 2-wire systems. 3-wire systems; 3-phase, 4-wire Wye systems with earthed (TN or TT) neutral (no-Delta) are supported with an additional 200A sensor (sold separately).
- 24/7 ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING: Automate, manage and control your home's real power anywhere, anytime to prevent costly repairs, conserve energy, and save costs. Monitor solar / net metering. PROTECTED BY A 1-YEAR WARRANTY.
- LOWER YOUR ELECTRIC BILL: Configure settings in the Emporia Energy App to automate energy management for time of use, peak demand, excess solar, and rewards programs. You can even see live reporting and invaluable savings opportunities instantly. Gauge real-time spending and get actionable notifications and automated energy management to help you reduce costs.
- REAL-TIME ENERGY DATA: REQUIRES 2.4 GHz WIFI WITH AN INTERNET CONNECTION to monitor energy use with iPhone / Android / Web app. Vue sensors collect energy data and are accurate from ±2%. The Vue is UL and CE Listed for your safety. 1 second data is only available in the app (when actively open) and retained 3 hours. Minute and hour data are retained in the cloud. 1 minute data is retained 7 days, 1 hour data is retained indefinitely. Export cloud data whenever you want in the app.
Fix: Add the confirmed fee to the cost of switching now and compare it with the expected saving over the remaining term.
Applying a single rate to Economy 7 usage
Problem: You use one electricity rate despite having separate peak and off-peak registers.
Fix: Obtain both kWh totals and calculate each time band separately.
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Problem: A supplier’s payment projection hides the underlying rates or assumes a usage figure you do not have.
Fix: Ask for the unit rates, standing charges and annual consumption assumption. Recalculate the annual cost independently.
Assuming a discount lasts forever
Problem: A one-time credit or short promotion is spread across every year of a long contract.
Fix: Identify when the discount is paid, whether it recurs and what conditions apply. Show it separately from the underlying tariff cost.
A practical comparison worksheet
Copy these fields for your current tariff and every offer. Keeping the same layout prevents a headline price from hiding a different assumption.
| Field | Current tariff | Offer A | Offer B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supplier and tariff name | Record | Record | Record |
| Contract type and end date | Fixed or variable; date | Fixed or variable; term | Fixed or variable; term |
| Electricity unit rate | p/kWh | p/kWh | p/kWh |
| Electricity standing charge | p/day | p/day | p/day |
| Gas unit rate | p/kWh | p/kWh | p/kWh |
| Gas standing charge | p/day | p/day | p/day |
| Annual electricity usage used | kWh | kWh | kWh |
| Annual gas usage used | kWh | kWh | kWh |
| Estimated annual energy cost | Calculate | Calculate | Calculate |
| Exit fee | Actual fee if leaving | Contract fee | Contract fee |
| Discounts and conditions | List | List | List |
| Meter/payment eligibility | Confirm | Confirm | Confirm |
Questions to resolve before accepting an offer
- Are the quoted rates inclusive of the VAT treatment that applies to my fuel and billing period?
- Are these rates specific to my postcode, meter type and payment method?
- When can the supplier change the rates, and how will it notify me?
- What is the fixed term’s exact start and end date?
- What is the early-exit fee per fuel, and when does it stop applying?
- Does the tariff require a smart meter, paperless billing or a particular payment schedule?
- For multi-rate electricity, what are the peak and off-peak hours and how are clock changes handled?
- What happens to the rate after a fixed term ends?
- Is a credit, discount or reward one-off, recurring or conditional?
- Will the supplier use my actual annual kWh or an estimate when setting payments?
Bottom line
Compare the complete annual cost at your own usage, not a typical-household illustration. Include both unit rates and 365 days of standing charges, use the correct regional and payment-specific figures, model peak and off-peak electricity separately where necessary, and add any exit fee or conditional discount. Choose fixed when the value of rate certainty outweighs the commitment; choose variable when flexibility and exposure to changing rates better suit your circumstances. Recheck the calculation whenever your usage, meter, payment method or contract end date changes.
Quick Recap
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