How to Compare Energy Suppliers’ Prices
Comparing energy suppliers’ prices can help you find a tariff that better suits your household and budget. The cheapest-looking deal is not always the cheapest for you: your total cost depends on how much energy you use, where you live, how you pay and the terms of the tariff.
Before switching, compare the full cost of each offer rather than focusing on a single rate or headline saving. Here’s what to check.
Understand the parts of an energy bill
Most domestic energy tariffs include two main charges:
- Unit rate: the amount charged for each unit of electricity or gas you use, measured in kilowatt hours (kWh).
- Standing charge: a daily charge for supplying energy to your home, even if you use very little.
Both charges vary by supplier, tariff and location. A tariff with a lower unit rate may have a higher standing charge, so it is important to compare the estimated annual cost for your property and usage.
Use your actual energy consumption
For a meaningful comparison, use the electricity and gas consumption shown on a recent bill or annual statement. Your usage is usually listed in kWh. If you do not have those figures, a comparison service may estimate your consumption based on household details, but an estimate can be less precise.
Enter your postcode as well. Energy prices can vary across the UK, and the rates available in one area may not be available in another.
Compare tariff types
Fixed tariffs
A fixed tariff sets the unit rates and standing charges for a stated period. This can make those charges more predictable, but it does not mean your total bill is fixed: using more energy will usually cost more. Check the contract length, any exit fees and what happens when the deal ends.
Variable tariffs
A variable tariff’s rates can change. In Great Britain, standard variable tariffs covered by the energy price cap are subject to Ofgem’s cap on certain unit rates and standing charges. The cap is not a limit on the total bill: the amount paid still depends on energy use. It does not apply in the same way to every tariff or in every part of the UK, so check the rules relevant to your location and deal.
Look beyond the headline price
When comparing energy suppliers, check the following details:
- Estimated annual cost: compare costs based on the same usage figures and payment method.
- Exit fees: find out whether a charge applies if you leave a fixed deal early.
- Payment method: rates can differ depending on whether you pay by Direct Debit, on receipt of a bill or with a prepayment meter.
- How bills are managed: check whether the tariff requires an online account, a smart meter or paper billing.
- Renewable electricity options: if this matters to you, check what the supplier’s renewable claims mean and how the tariff is certified.
- Customer service: consider contact options, support availability and independent customer feedback.
Check your current tariff first
Before switching, find out whether your current tariff is fixed or variable, when any fixed term ends and whether exit fees apply. Your latest bill or online account should show your tariff name, rates and energy use. If you are in debt to your supplier, have a prepayment meter or are dealing with a recent move, check whether any special conditions affect switching.
How to switch energy suppliers
Once you have found a suitable offer, check the supplier’s terms and confirm that the quote uses accurate usage details. In many cases, the new supplier manages the switch and contacts you if it needs more information. Keep paying your existing supplier until the switch is complete and settle any final bill.
Take a meter reading around the switch date, unless you have a smart meter that sends readings automatically. Keep a note of the reading and check that your final bill and first bill from the new supplier use the correct figures.
Find a deal that suits your household
The best energy deal is not necessarily the one with the lowest advertised rate. Compare the unit rates, standing charges and estimated annual cost, then check the tariff’s terms and service options. Using accurate consumption figures and reviewing your deal when it ends can help you make a more informed choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Comparing Energy Supplier Prices in the UK
- According to Martin Lewis, should I fix my energy supply?
- What is a good kWh price in the UK?
- Who provides the cheapest energy in the UK?
- Who is currently the cheapest energy supplier in the UK?
- Who is the cheapest energy supplier in the UK 2022?
- Who’s cheaper, British Gas or Octopus?
- Who are the cheapest energy suppliers?
- Which energy supplier is best for 2022 UK?
According to Martin Lewis, should I fix my energy supply?
Martin Lewis does not recommend that everyone automatically fix their energy prices; his advice is to compare the fixed deal’s unit rates and standing charges with the current price-cap rates and the latest forecasts, then decide whether the certainty is worth it for you. Check the estimated annual cost using your own energy use, and look for exit fees and how long the rates are fixed. As prices and forecasts change, consult the latest guidance from Martin Lewis and MoneySavingExpert before deciding.
What is a good kWh price in the UK?
A good kWh price in the UK depends on your region, whether you use electricity or gas, and your tariff, so there is no single rate that is best for everyone. Compare the unit rate with current offers available in your area and check the standing charge too, as a low kWh rate can come with a higher daily fee. The Ofgem price cap in Great Britain limits certain rates on standard variable tariffs, but it is not a cap on your total bill; prices and rules may differ in Northern Ireland.
Who provides the cheapest energy in the UK?
There is no single energy supplier that is cheapest for everyone in the UK. The best-priced deal depends on your postcode, how much gas and electricity you use, your meter and payment method, and the tariffs available when you compare. To find the lowest-cost option for your household, use your recent bills or annual usage figures to compare the estimated yearly cost, including both unit rates and standing charges, and check any contract terms or exit fees before switching.
Who is currently the cheapest energy supplier in the UK?
There isn’t one energy supplier that is cheapest for every household in the UK. Prices vary by postcode, energy use, payment method and tariff, and deals can change frequently. To find the cheapest option for you, compare the estimated annual cost using your actual electricity and gas consumption, including both unit rates and standing charges, and check any exit fees or other terms before switching.
Who is the cheapest energy supplier in the UK 2022?
There was no single cheapest energy supplier for every household in the UK in 2022: prices depended on location, energy use, payment method and tariff, and available deals changed during the year. In Great Britain, the energy price cap affected the rates suppliers could charge on standard variable tariffs, while Northern Ireland had a separate pricing system. To identify the cheapest option for a particular home in 2022, you would need to compare tariffs using that household’s postcode and actual gas and electricity consumption.
Who’s cheaper, British Gas or Octopus?
There isn’t a single answer to whether British Gas or Octopus is cheaper: prices depend on your postcode, energy use, payment method and the tariffs available when you compare. Check each supplier’s unit rates and standing charges, then compare the estimated annual cost using your own electricity and gas usage. Also review any exit fees and tariff terms, as the lowest headline rate may not give you the lowest overall bill.
Who are the cheapest energy suppliers?
There isn’t one energy supplier that is always the cheapest: prices vary by postcode, energy use, meter type, payment method and tariff, and deals can change over time. To find the lowest-cost option for your home, compare current tariffs using your actual electricity and gas consumption, and look at the estimated annual cost, including unit rates and standing charges. Check any exit fees and tariff terms too, as the cheapest deal may not be the best fit for your needs.
Which energy supplier is best for 2022 UK?
There was no single energy supplier that was best for every UK household in 2022. The right choice depended on your postcode, energy use, payment method and the tariffs available at the time. With wholesale prices rising and many fixed deals withdrawn or priced above the price-capped standard variable tariff, switching did not always mean paying less. Comparing your existing tariff’s unit rates and standing charges with available offers—and checking customer service and contract terms—was the best way to judge what suited you. Energy markets and price rules differ in Northern Ireland, so households there needed to compare local options.