Millions of British households have an immediate opportunity to reduce their energy costs, with 26 fixed-rate deals now available that undercut the current price cap.
Price cap rise confirms winter cost concerns
This development follows Ofgem's recent announcement of a 0.2% increase to the energy price cap for January to March 2026. This change comes on top of October's 2% rise, which pushed the typical annual bill to £1,775 for standard tariff customers.
Will Owen, energy expert at Uswitch.com, commented: "Friday's price cap announcement confirms that energy rates will remain high through the winter months. Locking in a fixed deal with cheaper rates is a smart move for households that are able to switch."
Substantial savings available immediately
According to Uswitch's analysis, significant savings are achievable for households willing to switch providers. "There are a number of fixed rate tariffs that offer savings of up to £177 for the average household," Owen confirmed.
The comparison site identified Outfox Energy's Fix'd Dual v5.0 as the market leader, offering a 12-month fixed contract with average annual bills of £1,578, though it carries a £75 per fuel exit fee. This offer was matched by the same supplier's Family Advantage+ deal with identical terms.
E.ON Next's Next Fixed v23 follows closely, featuring an 18-month contract with average bills of £1,593 and a £50 per fuel exit fee. EDF secures third place with their Simply Fixed v10 tariff, a 12-month contract averaging £1,599 annually with the same £50 exit fee structure.
Take control of energy costs now
Richard Neudegg, director of regulation at Uswitch.com, emphasised the urgency for action: "Millions of homes will now have their heating on to cope with this week's cold snap, so the stubbornly high energy price cap is a stark reminder of the need for households to take matters into their own hands."
He noted that industry forecasts had predicted a small fall in the cap, making the actual increase "a tedious disappointment for the millions of standard tariff customers who are already paying over the odds for their energy."
Owen highlighted additional benefits beyond immediate savings: "The EDF tariff is not only the cheapest 12-month fixed deal from a large supplier, but when you switch through Uswitch, you'll also get paid back for 100 hours of electricity."
Both experts strongly recommend that households currently on standard tariffs conduct an energy comparison. Neudegg concluded: "Customers on a price-capped tariff can switch to a fixed deal now and start seeing savings. In doing so, they'll also protect themselves from the predicted increase we might see in April."
