My fixed energy tariff is ending - what should I do?
Should I fix my energy prices again?
When your fixed energy deal ends, you'll end up on your supplier's standard variable energy tariff, which is dictated by the energy price cap. The price cap could be at a high or low level (it changes every three months), but it will usually cost you more than fixing your deal would. Fixed deals usually enable you to save against the energy price cap, but whether you should fix energy depends on the overall market and the deals that are available when your current deal ends.
As of April 2026, the price cap is set at £1,641 per year for an average household paying by Direct Debit.
However, due to current volatility in the Middle East pushing wholesale prices up, there aren't many savings available. In this context, fixing energy would give you price certainty - your unit rates and standing charges won't change, so you know what you'll pay for the duration of your contract. With prices predicted to increase in July and stay high throughout 2026, fixing could still be a good option even if you pay a little more now, because you could save more against the price cap when it goes up later in the year.
Find out more about specific actions for different types of customer below.
I'm a fixed energy customer - what should I do about Middle East price spikes?
If you're on a fixed energy deal with more than 49 days left on your contract, you can switch if you want to, but you should probably stay put for now.
This is because you'll probably have to pay an exit fee to leave your contract early, and it's unlikely that you'll find a cheaper deal with prices currently high and likely to stay that way for the rest of the year. If you do decide you want to switch, make sure you factor your exit fees into your potential savings.
If you don't want to switch, you can manage your energy usage to save money instead.
If you're on a fixed energy deal with less than 49 days left on your contract, you can switch to a new fixed deal now - and you should strongly consider doing so, even if it's more expensive than the current deal that's due to end.
When your fixed deal ends, you'll roll on to a standard variable tariff, so your bills could go up by as much as 13.5% (at current estimates) from July and stay at that level or higher for the rest of the year.
You don't have to wait until the end of your contract to switch. If you're inside the final 49 days, you can switch without paying any exit fees.
When should I fix energy?
Your supplier should notify you before your plan ends, allowing you time to find and switch to a new plan before you're rolled onto a standard variable tariff, which is usually much more expensive than a fixed tariff.
In accordance with Ofgem regulations, you won't need to pay any exit fees to switch away from your energy supplier within 49 days of your plan ending.
Once you receive this notification and you're in the 49-day window, you're free to switch without paying any early exit or cancellation fees.
Our customers are saying
"I'm due to end my current contract with my current energy supplier and having received their new tariffs decided to try Uswitch. They found me a great deal with a saving of £276 on what my old supplier offered, plus it comes from a renewable energy supplier. I'm so happy I took the time to do this and would STRONGLY recommend you do the same to save you some money. It only takes about 15 minutes to do and it's worth it."
TrustScore 4.7 | 36,403 reviewsThough shorter switching times have been introduced, it's worth noting that switching can take up to five days (including a two-week "cooling off" period) for suppliers that have signed up to the Energy Switch Guarantee. However, once your supplier knows you're switching, it shouldn't roll you on to a more expensive tariff.
While the notification from your supplier will alert you to cheaper plans, these plans will only be the cheapest available from your supplier, and they may not be the cheapest on the market overall. That's why it's important to compare energy prices with an Ofgem-accredited site like Uswitch. Click below to get started.
Run an energy comparison
Click here to compare energy prices and get started on your energy switch.
What type of energy tariff should I switch to?
Finding a cheaper energy plan depends on a whole host of factors, including where you live, your level of consumption and the state of the energy wholesale market.
Fixed energy tariffs
Switching to another fixed rate energy plan offers the peace of mind that your rates won't change until the end of the plan. If you're not comfortable with a plan that includes an exit fee in case you don't like your new supplier or a better deal comes along, you can simply filter your comparison results - there may be fixed plans that don't carry an early exit fee, though they could be more expensive.
Standard variable rate tariffs
Sometimes standard variable rate tariffs are some of the cheapest energy deals, but keep in mind you won't be protected if your supplier puts up its prices.
This is particularly worth noting when it comes to small suppliers, which can be more immediately impacted by changes to the wholesale gas and electricity market. That can lead to them having to be more reactive to wholesale changes and more likely to roll out price rises.
Renewable energy deals
If you're looking to do your part for the environment, there are several suppliers now offering energy plans powered by 100% renewably generated electricity.
What's my personal projection?
When you're on a fixed energy plan, comparison sites will use what's called a personal projection. This is your estimated future energy cost for the next 12 months.
This calculation assumes you do not switch when your fixed deal ends, and uses the rates of your rollover plan to calculate your energy spend that is blended with your existing rates.
That means when you are on a fixed plan with a looming end date, your personal projection will change because your projection is a blend of the remaining days on your current fixed plan, and includes the days you will be on your supplier's pre-set rollover plan (the plan you will be automatically rolled onto if you do nothing).
What else can I do to keep energy costs down?
Ensuring you're on the cheapest energy plan you can get is the only way you can get the most value for every kWh you use, but there are other ways to keep costs down.
While a cheaper plan will save you money, you can also try using less energy in the first place. Simple changes around the home like dropping your thermostat setting by just one degree or draughtproofing your doors and windows can make a significant difference, but larger investments can also pay off.
Insulation is the first step to keeping your energy costs down because you'll keep more heat in your home. Loft insulation is the easiest and cheapest to install. Even if you already have loft insulation, you should check whether you have the right levels installed - but more costly wall and floor insulation can also be worth considering.
