Expert warns 99% of Brits to miss out on £202 savings as bills to rise by 13%

With Ofgem announcing a 13% rise in the energy price cap from 1st July, an energy expert has revealed that 99% of Brits currently on the standard variable tariff likely won't switch - despite cheaper deals from Ecotricity, Outfox and E.On offering savings of up to £202 against the new price cap.

Anton Neike, Energy Expert at AI-powered bill switching app Taupia said,

“Ofgem have announced their new energy price cap of £1,850, which represents a significant rise of 13% or around £18 monthly, and will come into effect on 1st July, leaving millions of Brits exposed to significant energy price rises this summer.

“The main reason for this is a significant increase in the price of gas linked to the Iran War, as unit rates jumped by 25% - impacting those reliant on gas appliances and heating systems the most.

“Households have between today and 1st July to take control of their energy costs. That means checking whether they’re on a standard variable tariff, comparing fixed deals, and switching before the new cap lands.

“However, in June 2025, only 221,039 out of 22 million Brits switched to cheaper energy suppliers as the price cap lowered, which represents only 1% of Brits that were on a standard variable rate tariff at the time.

“If similar numbers are caught out again by summer switching habits and do not change suppliers this time round, that means 99% of Brits on variable tariffs are unlikely to switch, overpaying by £202 each and £4.4bn as a nation. 

“For those looking to switch, the cheapest tariff currently available is Ecotricity’s EcoFixed - 1 Year May 26 v2 tariff at £1,647.85 a year. That’s a saving of £202.15 compared with Ofgem’s new July price cap.

“Following that, the next cheapest available providers are Outfox Energy’s Fix'd Dual May26 12M v17at £1647.92 and £202.08 cheaper than the new Ofgem price cap, and E.On’s Next Fixed 12M V133 tariff at £1,721.16 which offers a saving of £128.84 off the new cap."

Top 10 cheapest fixed rate deals currently available

(Latest fixed-rate deals taken from The Energy Shop)

1. Ecotricity: EcoFixed - 1 Year May 26 v2
   • Estimated annual bill: £1,647.85
   • Savings per year vs standard variable rate (1st July): £202.15
2. Outfox Energy: Fix'd Dual May26 12M v17
   • Estimated annual bill: £1,647.92
   • Savings per year vs standard variable rate (1st July): £202.08
3. Outfox Energy: Fix'd Dual May26 12M v17 - Family Advantage+
   • Estimated annual bill: £1,683.10
   • Savings per year vs standard variable rate (1st July): £166.90
4. E.ON Next: Next Fixed 12M V133
   • Estimated annual bill: £1,721.16
   • Savings per year vs standard variable rate (1st July): £128.84
5. Sainsbury's Energy: Sainsbury’s Energy Fix and Save 12M V18
   • Estimated annual bill: £1,737.57
   • Savings per year vs standard variable rate (1st July): £112.43
6. E.ON Next: Next Fixed 24m v43
   • Estimated annual bill: £1,749.39
   • Savings per year vs standard variable rate (1st July): £100.61
7. Co-op Energy: Co-op 12M Fixed May 2026 v1
   • Estimated annual bill: £1,780.00
   • Savings per year vs standard variable rate (1st July): £70.00
8. Co-op Energy: Co-op Community Power 12M Fixed May 2026 v1
   • Estimated annual bill: £1,780.00
   • Savings per year vs standard variable rate (1st July): £70.00
9. Octopus Energy: Octopus 12M Fixed May 2026 v1
   • Estimated annual bill: £1,780.00
   • Savings per year vs standard variable rate (1st July): £70.00
10. Outfox Energy: Fix'd Dual May26 24M v2
    • Estimated annual bill: £1,790.81
    • Savings per year vs standard variable rate (1st July): £59.19

Alongside the top 10 cheapest fixed rate deals currently available, Anton also shares tips for keeping bills down throughout 2026 and how this 13% rise may erode the average summer bill credit balance of £178. Sharing tips on keeping bills down, Anton adds,

1. Avoid ‘tracker deals’ that may keep rising

“Households should be careful not to jump at the first deal they see - especially if it’s a tracker tariff.

“Although Ofgem’s price rise only confirms higher prices until September, there are no guarantees that energy costs will fall after that point, meaning that a tracker deal, which follows market costs, may lead to even higher energy bills later in the year.

“For anyone who wants certainty before 1st July, a fixed-rate tariff below the new price cap may offer more protection than a tracker deal that follows the market up as well as down.”

2. Cut cooling costs with non-electric tricks

“Many households that are currently relying on electric fans, portable or permanent air conditioning systems during May’s heatwave will see the cost to keep cool rise later this summer. Portable air conditioning units in particular can be energy intensive, so running them for several hours a day during a heatwave can quickly add to bills.

“To keep summer cooling costs down, explore methods of keeping cool that don’t require energy to run, from external window shutters to cooling mattress toppers."

3. Review direct debits now to avoid energy debts this winter

“Summer is when millions of households often build up credit on their energy accounts to help cushion higher winter energy costs, with Ofgem figures show fixed Direct Debit customers were, on average, £178 in credit at the end of June 2025.

“But with Ofgem’s 13% price rise, millions of households on standard variable tariffs may struggle to maintain a credit buffer, becoming vulnerable to larger energy debts this winter. 

“Reviewing your Direct Debit and energy usage patterns now, something most households can do quickly through their supplier’s mobile app, can help consumers better understand their current costs and prepare for the higher-usage months later in the year.”