BRITS have just four weeks left until energy bills will rise ahead of winter, with experts warning that households should take action now to escape price hikes.
Bills will rise by 4% to their highest level in three years for millions of households on October 1, under the regulator’s price cap.
A typical household on a standard tariff will then pay £1,723 a year for their energy.
And analysts have forecast that bills could go up by another 8.6% in January to £1,872 a year in a further blow to hard-pressed families.
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If you’re on a standard variable tariff – which is your energy supplier’s basic plan – you’re likely to be hit by these price increases.
However, experts at USwitch say households can dodge these hikes by switching to a fixed deal now.
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There are currently 20 deals that are lower than Ofgem’s upcoming price cap, which could save you over £300, the price comparison website says.
The cheapest fixed tariff on the market is an 18-month deal from Fuse Energy, at £1,538 for a typical home.
That’s £334 below the £1,872 January price cap forecast by Cornwall Insight.
Ben Gallizzi, an energy expert from Uswitch, said: “For the millions of households on standard variable tariffs, energy bills will rise on October 1 unless they take action now.
“This is the time to get on top of your bills, with predictions showing an additional increase in January, when we use significantly more energy to heat our homes.
“If you have never switched energy supplier or tariffs, or haven’t switched in over a year, you are probably on your supplier’s standard energy plan, which is likely not the cheapest option.
“There are 20 fixed deals available that are cheaper than the price cap, with savings on offer of up to £185 compared to October rates.
“These deals might not be around for long, so take a few minutes to check online to see what is available to you.”
Top ten cheapest fixed energy tariffs right now
Fuse Energy
Tariff: August 2026 Fixed (18m) V15
Duration: 18 months
Average annual bill: £1,538
Vs. July cap (£1,663): £125 below cap
Vs. October cap (£1,723): £185 below cap
Exit fees: £50 per fuel
Availability: Uswitch.com, Confused, and Fuse Energy
Fuse Energy
Tariff: August 2026 Fixed (24m) V1
Duration: 24 months
Average annual bill: £1,539
Vs. July cap (£1,663): £124 below cap
Vs. October cap (£1,723): £184 below cap
Exit fees: £50 per fuel
Availability: Direct via Fuse Energy
Outfox Energy
Tariff: Fix’d Dual Aug26 24M v1 – Family Advantage+
Duration: 24 months
Average annual bill: £1,565
Vs. July cap (£1,663): £98 below cap
Vs. October cap (£1,723): £158 below cap
Exit fees: £100 per fuel
Availability: Direct via Outfox Energy
Outfox Energy
Tariff: Fix’d Dual Aug26 18M v1 – Family Advantage+
Duration: 18 months
Average annual bill: £1,566
Vs. July cap (£1,663): £97 below cap
Vs. October cap (£1,723): £157 below cap
Exit fees: £75 per fuel
Availability: Direct via Outfox Energy
Ecotricity
Tariff: EcoFixed – 2 Year August 26 v4
Duration: 24 months
Average annual bill: £1,613
Vs. July cap (£1,663): £50 below cap
Vs. October cap (£1,723): £110 below cap
Exit fees: £100 per fuel
Availability: Uswitch.com, Confused, and Ecotricity
E.ON Next
Tariff: Next Fixed 24m Exclusive v13
Duration: 24 months
Average annual bill: £1,649
Vs. July cap (£1,663): £14 below cap
Vs. October cap (£1,723): £74 below cap
Exit fees: £100 per fuel
Availability: Uswitch.com, Confused, and E.ON Next
E.ON Next
Tariff: Next Fixed 24m v67
Duration: 24 months
Average annual bill: £1,670
Vs. July cap (£1,663): £7 above cap
Vs. October cap (£1,723): £53 below cap
Exit fees: £100 per fuel
Availability: Uswitch.com, Confused, and E.ON Next
So Energy
Tariff: So Jellyfish 24m
Duration: 24 months
Average annual bill: £1,681
Vs. July cap (£1,663): £18 above cap
Vs. October cap (£1,723): £42 below cap
Exit fees: £95 per fuel
Availability: Uswitch.com, Confused, and So Energy
Sainsbury’s Energy
Tariff: Sainsburys Fix and Reward Fixed 24m v51
Duration: 24 months
Average annual bill: £1,686
Vs. July cap (£1,663): £23 above cap
Vs. October cap (£1,723): £37 below cap
Exit fees: £100 per fuel
Availability: Direct via Sainsbury’s Energy
Octopus Energy
Tariff: Octopus 12M Fixed August 2026 v6
Duration: 12 months
Average annual bill: £1,699
Vs. July cap (£1,663): £36 above cap
Vs. October cap (£1,723): £24 below cap
Exit fees: £50 per fuel
Availability: Direct via Octopus Energy
