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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11When energy prices are volatile, neither tariff type is always cheapest. A fixed plan trades the chance of benefiting from falling rates for steadier unit prices and standing charges during its term. A standard variable plan keeps you exposed to future increases but can fall when the relevant price-cap period changes. Compare both against your own electricity and gas use, contract dates, payment method, region and exit fees—not against a headline monthly direct debit.
The short answer: certainty versus flexibility
A fixed tariff locks the agreed electricity and gas unit rates and standing charges for the contract term. Your bill can still rise or fall with how much energy you use, but the price per unit and daily fixed charge do not automatically follow market or price-cap movements while the deal is active.
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A standard variable tariff normally changes when the supplier changes its variable rate, commonly in line with a new price-cap period. You remain exposed to increases, but you may benefit when allowed rates fall. Leaving is often more flexible than leaving a fixed contract, although the actual terms still control.
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That makes the decision a risk choice rather than a guaranteed-savings choice:
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
- Choose rate certainty when a sudden increase would seriously damage your household budget and the fixed offer is affordable after all charges and fees are included.
- Keep variable pricing when you can tolerate changes, expect to move soon, or want the possibility of benefiting from falls without paying to leave a contract.
- Consider time-of-use or dynamic pricing only when you can realistically move a meaningful share of electricity use into cheaper periods and have the required meter and product terms.
No option guarantees a lower total bill. Consumption, standing charges, contract length, payment method and region determine what you actually pay.
What the Great Britain price cap means in practice
The figures below apply to domestic customers in England, Scotland and Wales on the stated payment method and period. They do not describe Northern Ireland, business contracts or heat networks.
The current reference period
Ofgem’s cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026 is £1,723 per year for a typical Direct Debit dual-fuel household. Ofgem says this is 4% higher than the previous cap period. It is an illustrative annual level based on typical consumption, not a limit on an individual household’s bill.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →| Fuel and charge | Ofgem Direct Debit average, 1 October–31 December 2026 |
|---|---|
| Electricity unit rate | 26.32 pence per kWh |
| Electricity standing charge | 54.83 pence per day |
| Gas unit rate | 7.97 pence per kWh |
| Gas standing charge | 29.68 pence per day |
These are rounded averages. The published figures include 5% VAT on gas; electricity has no VAT from 1 October 2026 through 31 March 2027. Regional rates and payment-method rates differ, so do not treat the table as one universal tariff.
What is and is not capped
Ofgem’s consumer explanation is explicit: “It does not limit the cost of your total bill. The more energy you use, the higher your bill will be.” The cap limits the unit rate and standing charge for covered tariffs. It does not cap the number of kilowatt-hours your household consumes, and it does not protect a customer while an agreed fixed tariff remains in force.
Ofgem recalculates the cap every three months. Its calculation includes wholesale energy, network costs, policy schemes, supplier operating costs and earnings, headroom and VAT. Any of those components can rise or fall, so a later cap period can move in either direction.
How each tariff type behaves
| Comparison point | Fixed tariff | Standard variable tariff | Dynamic or time-of-use tariff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rate movement | Contracted unit rates and standing charges stay the same through the fixed term. | Rates can change, commonly as the standard variable rate follows cap periods. | Rates vary by time; a dynamic price may change hourly or more often. |
| Exposure to future rises | Lower direct exposure during the fixed term. | Greater exposure to upward changes. | Depends on market prices and when electricity is used. |
| Benefit from price falls | Usually limited until switching is possible or the term ends; fees may apply. | Rates may fall when the relevant tariff changes. | A flexible household may benefit by shifting use to cheaper periods. |
| Flexibility | Fixed term and possible exit fee; read the contract. | Often easier to leave, but check the specific terms. | Product-specific; check meter, notice and pricing requirements. |
| Best comparison input | Actual use plus both unit rates and standing charges over the fixed period. | Current terms plus scenarios for future rate changes. | Usage by time of day, meter capability and realistic shiftable demand. |
Fixed tariffs
A fixed deal buys price stability, not a frozen bill. Citizens Advice describes the effect this way: “If the wholesale price of energy changes, you’ll still pay the rate you agreed on your contract.” If prices fall, your agreed rates normally remain in place; if prices rise, the agreed rates normally shield you for the remaining term. Your total bill can still change because your consumption changes.
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Rank #2
- ⚡ 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.
Citizens Advice says a fixed tariff usually lasts 12 months, although longer terms are possible. Check the exact end date, what happens after it, and every early-exit condition before accepting.
Standard variable tariffs
A variable tariff does not promise a constant unit rate. When the supplier changes its covered variable rate, your cost per kWh and possibly your standing charge can change. That can be uncomfortable during a rising market, but it avoids being locked into an above-market fixed rate if prices decline.
Compare the current variable rate with a fixed offer using scenarios, not a prediction. The current rate is known; future variable rates are not.
Time-of-use and dynamic tariffs
Time-of-use products set different prices for different periods. Dynamic products can track market conditions much more frequently, including hourly changes. They may suit a household that can run appliances, charge a vehicle or heat water during lower-priced periods, but the low off-peak rate has limited value if nobody can use energy then.
The European Commission’s 17 March 2026 explanation states: “However, the overall benefits of dynamic pricing depend on consumers’ ability to shift their electricity consumption to times when prices are cheaper.” That is an EU-level explanation, not a UK savings estimate or a guarantee. Check the GB product’s meter requirement, price-update frequency, notification method and any separate charges.
Collect the information needed for an apples-to-apples comparison
Do this before looking at the headline monthly payment. A direct-debit amount is a payment arrangement, not a complete description of tariff cost, and it can reflect a supplier’s estimate or an account balance.
- Annual electricity use: record the latest reliable kWh figure from bills or meter data.
- Annual gas use: record gas separately; do not combine the fuels into one guessed total.
- Unit rates: capture the electricity and gas price per kWh for each offer.
- Standing charges: capture the daily electricity and gas charges. They apply each day even when no energy is used.
- Region: use the household’s actual distribution region, because Ofgem rates vary geographically.
- Payment method: compare like with like, such as Direct Debit with Direct Debit, because published rates vary by payment arrangement.
- Contract length and dates: note the start date, end date and whether the offer rolls onto another tariff.
- Exit terms: record any fee, the amount per fuel if stated, and circumstances in which it is waived.
- Meter and usage pattern: note whether the home has a suitable smart meter and when major electricity loads normally run.
Use recent actual readings where possible. Supplier consumption estimates are useful inputs, but treat them as estimates and apply the same assumptions to every offer.
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- REAL-TIME MONITORING & ±1% ACCURACY: Monitor voltage, current, active power, and power factor of major appliances. Provides ±1% accuracy (200A: 2–200A; 60A: 1–60A) and ±2% at low current. Daily data stored up to 5 years and exportable. With no subscriptions or hidden fees, you get deep historical insights to help you identify every energy-saving opportunity and save 10–20% on monthly bills.
- SMART ALERTS & CIRCUIT-LEVEL CONTROL: Set usage targets for each individual circuit and receive instant alerts when appliances exceed normal consumption. Refoss app supports automation and peak management to optimize schedules, reduce peaks, and improve efficiency. Real-time electricity usage monitor for circuit-level insights.
Calculate the annual cost instead of comparing monthly quotes
The basic formula
For each fuel, multiply annual kWh by the unit rate, then add the daily standing charge multiplied by the number of billing days:
annual fuel cost = (annual kWh × price per kWh) + (daily standing charge × days)
Add electricity and gas to obtain the dual-fuel estimate. Use the contract’s actual number of days for a precise comparison; 365 days is a convenient illustration.
Using Ofgem’s published averages for 1 October–31 December 2026, the illustrative 365-day standing-charge components are approximately £200.13 for electricity (54.83 pence × 365) and £108.33 for gas (29.68 pence × 365), before any unit consumption is added. These are derived from rounded averages, not a quotation for a particular region or account.
Build a comparison worksheet
| Field | Current variable offer | Fixed offer | Dynamic or time-of-use offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity kWh assumption | Use the same household figure | Use the same household figure | Split by time period if the offer requires it |
| Electricity unit rate(s) | Current rate | Contracted rate | Each time-period or market-linked rate |
| Electricity standing charge | Daily charge | Daily charge | Daily charge, if applicable |
| Gas kWh assumption | Use the same household figure | Use the same household figure | Not applicable unless the product includes gas; record the separate gas terms |
| Gas unit rate and standing charge | Current terms | Contracted terms | Product-specific |
| Contract length | Check the offer | Fixed term | Check the offer |
| Exit fee | Check the offer | Check each fuel and circumstance | Check the offer |
| Estimated annual cost | Apply the formula | Apply the formula | Apply the formula to realistic time-of-use shares |
Do not let a low monthly direct debit obscure a high standing charge or an unrealistic usage estimate. A supplier can later adjust payments when actual use differs from the estimate.
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A scenario comparison asks how each tariff behaves if variable rates rise, stay similar or fall. It is not a forecast of the next Ofgem cap or wholesale prices.
Scenario 1: variable rates rise
Keep your measured annual consumption constant, increase the variable unit rates and standing charges by the scenario assumption, and compare the resulting annual variable cost with the fixed offer. This shows the value of protection if prices move upward.
Rank #4
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- TRACK ENERGY & CUT BILLS: Track power, voltage, current, and power factor within ±1% accuracy. Clear power usage and cost charts by minute/hour/day/month/year help you easily understand your energy use. Store up to 5 years of data and export hourly reports for deep analysis. Most users save 10–20% on energy costs by spotting energy hogs and getting accurate insights to cut their bills.
- 24/7 ENERGY MONITORING + SMART ALERTS: Real-time home energy monitoring from anywhere. Set custom alerts for unusual usage spikes and threshold breaches for total peace of mind. Catch issues early with no subscriptions, no cloud lock‑in, and no hidden fees — all built-in. Supports 2 main circuits (200A) + 16 branch circuits (60A), making it perfect for precise, circuit-level energy monitoring.
- MAXIMIZE YOUR SOLAR SAVINGS (HOME ASSISTANT): This solar energy monitor integrates with Home Assistant to detect solar surplus and automatically power EV chargers, water heaters, and other high‑use appliances. Stop wasting solar energy—use it yourself and cut your electricity bill faster. The perfect home energy monitor for solar homes.
- LOCAL DATA, FULL PRIVACY, NO SUBSCRIPTIONS: Connect seamlessly with Home Assistant for advanced energy automation. All energy data stays local—no cloud, no delays, no privacy concerns. Take full control of your home energy, reduce waste, and protect your privacy. Supports Open API and Web Control.
Scenario 2: rates stay close to today’s level
Use the current variable terms for each relevant period and compare them with the fixed estimate. Include the fixed contract’s exit fee if you would need to leave before the end.
Scenario 3: variable rates fall
Reduce the variable rates by the scenario assumption. The fixed estimate will not automatically fall during its term, so the difference represents the opportunity cost of certainty. Do not describe the assumed fall as a likely outcome unless you have evidence specific to the period and market.
Find the break-even point
The fixed deal is cheaper under a particular scenario when its total estimated cost, including standing charges and any unavoidable fees, is below the variable scenario cost. You can solve for the variable unit rate that makes the two annual totals equal. This is more informative than asking whether the fixed tariff’s headline rate looks low, because a high standing charge or different usage level can change the result.
Run the scenarios separately for electricity and gas when the offer has different fixed periods or exit rules. A dual-fuel total can hide the fact that one fuel is competitive and the other is not.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check switching windows, exit fees and the contract end
Citizens Advice says that when 49 days or less remain on a fixed contract, a customer can switch for free; with 50 days or more remaining, an exit fee might apply. Treat this as consumer guidance, not a substitute for the contract wording. The supplier’s terms determine the actual fee and any exceptions.
Not every fixed tariff charges in every circumstance, and fees are not uniform. Ofgem’s survey summary, based on 2024 research and published in July 2025, found that 88% of respondents recognized that customers may have to pay an exit fee when leaving a fixed tariff early. Ofgem cautions that the survey relies on respondents’ knowledge and memory; the figure measures awareness, not the proportion of contracts that charge a fee.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsBefore switching, write down the current contract’s end date and the date on which a fee-free window begins. Then check what happens at the end: a new tariff, a standard variable tariff or another default arrangement may apply. Do not assume that a fixed rate continues after the stated term.
Best Value
- 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.
Match the tariff to how your household uses energy
Low-use homes
Standing charges are paid every day, so they make up a larger share of a low-consumption bill. Compare the daily charges directly instead of choosing solely on the lowest unit rate.
High-use homes
As kWh consumption rises, the unit rate has a larger effect on the total. A small difference in pence per kWh can outweigh a modest standing-charge difference, but calculate both fuels rather than relying on a single headline figure.
Households that use more energy at night
Citizens Advice identifies time of use as a relevant consumer consideration. A time-of-use product may fit if the household can move substantial demand into the cheaper window. Check the actual schedule, not just the lowest advertised period, and compare the price of the hours when the home really consumes electricity.
Households with little flexibility
If heating, cooking, medical equipment or work patterns determine when energy is used, a dynamic tariff can expose you to high-priced periods without giving you much ability to respond. A fixed or standard variable product may be easier to budget, subject to the offer’s actual rates and terms.
A step-by-step process for choosing
- Confirm scope. Make sure you are comparing a domestic tariff in the correct Great Britain region, not a Northern Ireland, business or heat-network product.
- Gather readings. Use recent electricity and gas kWh data, preferably actual meter readings, and record the billing period.
- List current terms. Write down each unit rate, daily standing charge, payment method and the current contract end date.
- Collect complete offers. For each fixed, variable or dynamic option, capture both fuels, all charges, contract length, meter requirements and exit conditions.
- Apply one usage assumption. Calculate annual cost with the same electricity and gas consumption for every comparable offer.
- Model three outcomes. Compare the fixed total with variable rates that rise, remain similar or fall. Label the assumptions as scenarios, not predictions.
- Check flexibility. If a product depends on off-peak use, examine your actual hourly pattern and whether your meter supports the tariff.
- Check the exit and end dates. Include any fee that would apply if you leave early and identify the tariff that follows the fixed term.
- Choose according to the risk you can carry. Select the offer whose price exposure and contract restrictions fit your budget and likely plans, not the one with the most attractive isolated rate.
- Save the evidence. Keep the offer details, assumptions, meter readings and calculation date so you can check the first bill and challenge an unexpected rate.
Common comparison mistakes and how to correct them
- Mistake: treating £1,723 as a personal bill limit. Correction: it is Ofgem’s typical-use illustrative annual level for Direct Debit dual fuel in England, Scotland and Wales for one quarter; your consumption and regional terms determine your bill.
- Mistake: comparing only unit rates. Correction: add both fuels’ standing charges for the full number of days.
- Mistake: comparing different payment methods. Correction: use the same payment arrangement or explain the difference explicitly.
- Mistake: using one combined kWh estimate. Correction: calculate electricity and gas separately because their rates and standing charges differ.
- Mistake: assuming a fixed bill cannot change. Correction: the rate is fixed, but consumption can change the bill.
- Mistake: assuming every fixed tariff has an exit fee. Correction: inspect the actual contract; fees vary and may not apply in every situation.
- Mistake: assuming a low off-peak rate guarantees savings. Correction: estimate the proportion of your real use that can move into the cheaper periods and include all other charges.
- Mistake: treating a supplier estimate as a fact. Correction: use recent meter data where available and apply identical assumptions across offers.
- Mistake: assuming today’s cap predicts the next one. Correction: the cap is recalculated quarterly and its underlying components can rise or fall.
- Mistake: forgetting the contract end. Correction: record the end date and the tariff that will apply afterward before you switch.
How to interpret the result
After the worksheet and scenarios are complete, focus on three outputs: the annual cost under each stated assumption, the amount of cost that remains exposed to future rate changes, and the fee or restriction attached to changing your decision. A fixed tariff can be reasonable even when its central estimate is not the lowest if avoiding a rise is worth the premium to your household. A variable tariff can be reasonable even when a fixed offer is slightly cheaper today if you need flexibility or believe you may move before the term ends. A dynamic tariff earns consideration only when your meter and routine let you respond to its time-based prices.
Use the current Ofgem figures as a dated reference point, not as a universal quotation. Recheck rates immediately before committing because the cap period, regional table and supplier offers can change.
Bottom line
Compare fixed and variable plans by calculating your own annual cost, then testing how each behaves if rates rise, stay similar or fall. Fixed tariffs provide agreed-rate stability but can cost more when prices fall and may charge for early exit. Variable tariffs preserve flexibility and potential benefit from falls but leave you exposed to increases. Time-of-use and dynamic products are only compelling when your household can shift consumption and meet the meter and contract requirements.
Quick Recap
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.
