The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →For households in Great Britain, compare a fixed tariff with your current standard variable tariff (SVT) using your own electricity and gas use, local rates, standing charges and contract terms—not a headline annual bill or a forecast of future prices. A fixed tariff holds its agreed rates for a stated term; an SVT can change and is covered by Ofgem’s price cap. Neither guarantees the lowest future cost: the right choice depends on the live offer and how much you value rate certainty.
What fixed and variable energy tariffs mean
Fixed tariff
A fixed tariff keeps its agreed unit rates and daily standing charges for the contract period. It does not freeze your total bill: if you use more electricity or gas, you pay for those additional units. A fixed deal is outside the SVT price cap while its contract applies, so later cap changes do not change its contracted rates. The contract sets the rates and any exit fees.
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Standard variable tariff
An SVT has rates that can change. In Great Britain, Ofgem’s price cap limits covered unit rates and standing charges for each cap period. Ofgem reviews the cap every three months. The cap is not a ceiling on total household spending: your bill still depends on how much energy you use. A cap announcement describes rates for its period, not a forecast of rates for the year ahead. Ofgem explains that the cap “does not limit the cost of your total bill” in its guidance on the energy price cap and standing charges.
Great Britain price-cap figures for 1 October to 31 December 2026
Ofgem’s average Direct Debit figures for England, Scotland and Wales are below. They are quarterly rates and a standardized annual illustration, not a spending limit or a quote for every household. Actual cap rates vary by region, fuel, payment method and meter type; use Ofgem’s price-cap tables and regional rates for a like-for-like comparison.
#1 Best Overall
- Various Monitoring Parameters: The power meter plug can monitor the power (W), energy (kWh), volts, amps, hertz, power factor, cost, minimum and maximum power (W), cumulative days and time of your appliances. By switching 7 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The home energy monitor can also calculate and display how much power your appliance uses and how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Upgraded LCD Display: With large screen size 2.36 inch x 1.85 inch, clearer monitor backlit, our electrical usage monitor can display the data clearer and more visible no matter day or night. 180°full wide viewing angles is great for reading and recording the data in any angles. No need to stand on the front of the display and bend over to read the numbers
- Adjustable Backlight Time: Our upgraded watt meter has 5 options of backlight time. The default backlight time duration is 10 minutes(bL-0). If you want to change the backlight time, you can press and hold "UP" and "DOWN" button at the same time to enter backlight time setting, then press "UP" and "DOWN" to select the backlight time (bL-0 =10 minutes, bL-1=1 hour, bL-2=4 hours, bL-3=8 hours, bL-4=always on), finally press the "COST" to save the backlight time settings
- Overload protection: When the power of the appliance exceeds the overload power, the LCD will display “OVERLOAD” to warn the user. All the buttons will quit working and can only be workable when you lower or remove the load power. The default overload power is 3680W and is adjustable from 0 to 3680W. In general, you need to set the overload power to 1800W before using. Just press the "function" button for more than 3 seconds to enter the setting
- Data Memory Function: The wattage meter will record your power consumption data when you remove it from socket, or remove appliances from the electricity monitor. You can directly see the last data when you use it next time. This function can also automatically save the data when there is a sudden power failure
| Measure | Ofgem average figure | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Typical annual dual-fuel bill illustration | £1,723 | Average Direct Debit rates, 1 October–31 December 2026; annualized illustration, not a limit on an individual bill. |
| Electricity unit rate | 26.32 pence per kWh | Average Direct Debit rate, Great Britain, 1 October–31 December 2026. |
| Electricity standing charge | 54.83 pence per day | Average Direct Debit rate, Great Britain, 1 October–31 December 2026. |
| Gas unit rate | 7.97 pence per kWh | Average Direct Debit rate, Great Britain, 1 October–31 December 2026. |
| Gas standing charge | 29.68 pence per day | Average Direct Debit rate, Great Britain, 1 October–31 December 2026. |
Ofgem said the cap for a typical dual-fuel Direct Debit household rose 4% from the preceding period. Its rate table also says that from 1 October 2026 through 31 March 2027 electricity has no VAT while gas includes 5% VAT; Ofgem cautions that costs cannot be compared directly with earlier periods because of this treatment. These details are specific to the stated dates, not a general description of energy bills. See Ofgem’s announcement of the October 2026 cap and its rate table.
How to compare tariffs using your own energy use
- Find your annual consumption. Check the last 12 months of bills or your supplier account for electricity and gas use in kWh. If you do not have a full year of actual readings, use an estimate and treat the result as an estimate too.
- Write down the complete terms for each offer. Record each fuel’s unit rate and daily standing charge, the payment method, meter requirements, contract end date, and any exit fee. Confirm which rates are fixed and what tariff or terms apply when the fixed term ends.
- Estimate annual costs on the same usage. For each fuel, calculate (annual kWh × unit rate) + (365 × daily standing charge). Add fees or discounts only where the offer’s terms make them clear. If comparing dual-fuel offers, add the electricity and gas estimates.
- Use your current SVT as the baseline. Compare the fixed offer with the rates you actually pay now, not just a generic price-cap illustration. For an SVT comparison, use the correct local cap rates for your region, payment type and meter.
- Compare flexibility and certainty separately from price. A fixed offer can stabilize rates during its term, but its exit fee or contract duration may matter if you want to switch. An SVT avoids a fixed-term commitment, while its rates can rise or fall as the cap changes.
- Check what happens next. Note the fixed tariff’s end date, rollover or default terms, and any exit conditions that apply to your circumstances. Do not assume a fixed rate means a fixed total bill.
There is no universal break-even price without your consumption and a live offer. A fixed deal’s estimated cost should be assessed after standing charges and applicable fees, alongside the value you place on certainty and the cost of committing for its term.
Rank #2
- SAFETY YOU CAN TRUST WITH UL CERTIFICATION: With Emporia Energy, your home energy monitoring is safe, reliable, and certified. The Emporia Vue is UL Listed, meaning it has met rigorous safety standards for electrical products in the U.S. and Canada. This certification ensures that every component has been thoroughly tested to prevent hazards, such as overheating, short-circuiting, or fire, offering you peace of mind as you manage your home’s energy consumption.
- 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.
Which costs matter beyond the headline rate?
- Unit rates: what you pay for each kWh. Electricity and gas rates are different, so compare each fuel separately.
- Standing charges: daily charges that apply regardless of how much energy you use. A lower unit rate can be offset by a higher standing charge, particularly for lower-use households.
- Fees and discounts: account for exit fees and only include discounts whose eligibility and conditions are clear in the offer.
- Eligibility: check payment method and meter requirements. Tariffs are comparable only when the relevant location, payment and meter conditions match.
- Contract end terms: a fixed tariff’s post-term arrangement can affect what you pay and how easily you can change tariff.
Should you fix or stay on the price cap?
There is no reliable answer based on tariff type alone, and future wholesale prices or cap levels cannot be inferred from the current cap. Consider a fixed offer if the rates and charges work for your usage and you are willing to accept its term and exit conditions in return for rate stability. Staying on an SVT may suit you if avoiding a fixed-term commitment matters more, while recognizing that its rates can change at cap resets. Compare actual available offers before deciding.
Historical figures can show why it is worth checking the market, but they are not current quotes. Ofgem’s January 2026 State of the Market report said the cheapest tariff was approximately £265 below the cap as of October 2025, and around one-third of customers were on fixed-term tariffs by July 2025. Those observations do not establish today’s price gap or which tariff will be cheaper over your next contract. See Ofgem’s State of the Market report.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Control Your Appliances and Devices: Control lights, fans, lamps, humidifiers, and any other appliances or electronics that plug into 120V outlets with a 10A Maximum Continuous Load (15A Max Peak Load for up to 1hr/day)
- Monitor Your Home Energy Like a Pro: Emporia smart plugs let you stay on top of energy used by your devices and appliances. Eliminate wasteful stand-by power, save on electricity, and extend product life.
- Smart Scheduling for Maximum Control: With built in on/off scheduling capability, use your smart plugs to automatically switch on and off appliances and devices. Want freshly brewed coffee at 7am? Just schedule it with an Emporia plug!
- Remote Control. Anytime, Anywhere. Control your home remotely using the Emporia App on your phone. Leave the lights on? Forget to turn off an appliance? Check the real-time status and toggle it on or off anytime, anywhere!
- Requires 2.4GHz Wifi Connection to control your devices remotely from your phone with an internet connection. 5.0 GHz Wifi networks are not supported.
Rank #4
- ⚡ EASY INSTALLATION: Installs in circuit panel of most homes with clamp-on sensors. Supports single-phase up to 240VAC line-neutral; single, split-phase 120/240VAC; and three-phase up to 415Y/240VAC (no Delta). The branch lines can automatically match different phases and have no restrictions in terms of quantity and voltage.Panels with access only to busbars will need flexible sensors available from SEM-Meter.
- ⚡ ENERGY MONITORING ANYTIME, ANYWHERE: Monitor your home's real power anywhere, anytime to prevent costly repairs, conserve energy, and save costs. Monitor solar / net metering. Light commercial 3 phase option available as a separate bundle. Protected by a 1-year warranty.
- ⚡ VARIOUS ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE MONITORING: Comes with 16 50A sensors to accurately monitor your air conditioner, furnace, water heater, washer, dryer, range, etc.
- ⚡ LOWER YOUR ELECTRIC BILL: SEM-Meter measures real-time spending and gets actionable notifications to understand where savings can be made, both to lower your electric bill and to conserve energy and protect the planet’s resources. Be an environmentalist.
- ⚡ REAL-TIME ENERGY DATA: Connect SEM-Meter device via 2.4GHz WiFi to monitor energy usage, with an accuracy range of 1%. View usage in real time through Android/Apple software. Statistics of power usage in now/day/week/month/year format: the validity period of hourly exported data is 90 days, and the exported data of day/month/year data is permanent, available at any time Export from application.
Rank #3
- Multi-function power monitor: Our electric usage monitor can monitor the power (W), electricity(kWh), voltage(V), frequency(Hz), current(A), power factor(PF), unit price($/kWh), total cost($) of your appliances. By switching 8 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The “electricity” mode can calculate and display how much power your appliance uses. And the “total cost” mode will show how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Overload protection: When the loading power of the appliance is over the default overload threshold 1800W, the whole display with backlight and the word “OVERLOAD” will keep flashing to warn the users. Please turn off the appliance for safety concern
- Premium Material: The whole body of our energy meter is made of high-quality ABS material. It makes our home electricity usage monitor more long lasting, fireproof and anti-drop. The standard US socket and plug is suitable for all US standard appliances
- Backlight Display: With white backlight and black words, the LCD display of our home power monitor can display the data clearer and help you to read the data easier no matter day or night. The backlight will only lights up when the device is connected to AC power. If no button is pressed, the backlight turns off automatically after 10 minutes. You can also press the "UP" button to turn off the backlight manually, and press any button to turn on backlight again
- Easy to reset: No reset tool needed, our appliance power usage meter is easy to reset. You can press the “M” button for 5 seconds directly to reset the device. After reset, all cumulative data (electricity quantity, cost) will be cleared, and all settings will be restored to factory settings
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
