Energy prices have been high for a while now. And although they’ve dropped from their 2023 peak, the price cap (the maximum suppliers can charge per unit) went up by 13% on 1 July. That’s an increase of £221 per year for the average household.* Ouch.
Luckily, though, you’re not powerless against painful price rises. You can always switch energy suppliers. This could save you money straight away and, if you move to a fixed tariff, save you money in the future too.
After all, the price cap’s forecast to go up yet again in October. So much for autumn being called ‘the fall’.
The lowdown on switching
Energy switching simply means changing your gas or electricity tariff. This might be with your current energy supplier or a different one. The cheaper the tariff, the better the deal.
You can either switch to a standard variable tariff, where the price you pay can go up or down, or a fixed tariff where you pay the same price for energy for a set time (usually a year).
It’s worth remembering, though, that price cap rises only affect variable tariffs. So, you’re protected if you’re on a fixed tariff. Your unit price will stay exactly the same for the length of your deal.
Why fixing could make sense
If you lock in a fixed deal now, before the autumn, you’ll know exactly how much your energy will cost when the leaves fall down and umbrellas start going up. And you’ll have certainty over the winter and into 2027 too. That’s important in these uncertain times.
What’s more, you could save money in 2 ways. You can compare quotes, see if you could save, and switch online if you find a better deal than the one you’re on now.
And then you could end up saving more if the price cap (as forecast) goes up again in October. Now that’ll give you a warm feeling.
What about variable tariffs?
Although fixed tariffs give you more certainty – they certainly make budgeting easier – 60% of households are on variable tariffs right now.
Why? Because variable tariffs could work out cheaper if wholesale prices fall. But that’s a gamble with prices tipped to rise in October. Youtility say the direction of travel when it comes to prices is up.
The decision, however, is yours. Nobody has a crystal ball. Freezing what you’ll pay for your energy now, before it turns freezing outside this winter, could be a good move.
But it depends how flexible your budget is. Some people love knowing their bill won’t rocket if wholesale prices go into orbit. But others might take their chances.
Whatever you decide, however, your first step should be to compare your existing tariff to other ones out there. Otherwise you’ll never know what your options actually are.
Other reasons to switch
It’s often worth switching if you’re at the end of a fixed tariff contract. That’s because suppliers will often move you to an out-of-contract tariff if you don’t change. And that can be more expensive.
But it’s not about the money for everyone. Some people switch because they want better customer service. Others switch because they’re worried about climate change and want to support renewable energy sources.
People get the itch to switch for all kinds of reasons.
When can I switch?
You can switch whenever you like if you’re on a variable tariff. But if you’re in a fixed term deal, you can change for free if there are 49 days or fewer left on your contract.
If you switch before this, you might need to pay an exit fee. Although Youtility say it’s worth checking how much this fee actually is. Sometimes you’ll still save more overall by switching early.
But be warned that you might not be able to switch if you owe your current supplier money. They could block your switch until you’ve paid up. Yikes.
On the other hand, some households are in credit with their supplier – especially during summer – so you might actually get a little refund when you switch.
How long does switching take?
It’s usually easy and straightforward. Simply visit Youtility’s website, enter a few details about your current tariff, compare different deals, and you’ll see how much you could save. Then click on the deal you want.
If you decide to go ahead, you’ll get an email from Youtility confirming your decision and you’ll be switched within 5 working days. Or you can choose a date after that.
Will I lose my energy supply for a time?
Don’t worry. You’ll enjoy an uninterrupted supply throughout your transfer. Ofgem guarantees it.
So, the lights shouldn’t get switched off while you’re switching. Now wouldn’t that be a turn off?
This content was accurate when published on 29/07/2026.
If you want more tips to cut household bills like energy, broadband and TV, check out My Home Manager. It’s in the menu on our Mobile Banking app.
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*Based on the change to Ofgem’s energy price cap for a typical household who use electricity and gas and pay by Direct Debit, from 1 July 2026. Source: Ofgem.