Households are being urged to check whether they could cut their energy bills by hundreds of pounds this autumn, as new figures show a wave of fixed-rate tariffs undercutting the current price cap.

Data from price comparison site Uswitch showed that switching from a standard variable tariff to the cheapest fixed deal could save the average household around £233 a year – the equivalent of a 13% reduction compared to Ofgem’s October price cap of £1,755. There are currently 25 fixed tariffs cheaper than the cap, with some providers offering competitive long-term deals well into 2026. Uswitch has suggested that customers run a quick comparison online to see what they could save, particularly if they haven’t switched or fixed their tariff in the past year.

Will Owen, energy expert at Uswitch.com, said: “With bills going up as the October price cap takes effect, now is a great time to lock in a cheaper rate. Households could save around £233 a year by switching to the cheapest fixed deal on the market.

“There are plenty of competitive fixed offers available on the market from both large and small suppliers, such as Fuse Energy’s special deal with Uswitch, offering savings of £185 per year. If you haven’t fixed in a year or more, you’re probably on a standard tariff and paying more than you need to. Running a quick energy comparison is the best way to find out if you could lock in a cheaper rate.”

According to Uswitch, the cheapest current tariff is offered by Outfox Energy, with its “Outfox the Price Cap – Oct 2025 – 12M v9.0” plan. It costs £1,522 a year on average, saving households £233 annually against the price cap. This 12-month fix is available directly through Outfox the Market, with exit fees of £75 per fuel.

Two other Outfox deals also feature prominently: a 15-month fix at £1,524 (saving £231) and a 24-month fix at £1,525 (saving £230), both significantly below the price cap. These longer deals offer households more certainty over their bills at a time when future wholesale prices remain uncertain, though they carry higher exit fees if you choose to leave early.

The fourth cheapest deal is from Ecotricity, with its 12-month “EcoFixed 1 Year Green Tariff Oct 25 V1” costing £1,527 a year — a £228 saving compared with the cap. The tariff is available directly through Ecotricity, with a £75 exit fee per fuel.

Rounding out the top five is Fuse Energy’s 13-month fixed tariff, available through Uswitch and other comparison sites, with an annual cost of £1,570. That works out to a saving of £185 a year. Fuse also has a 12-month fix at £1,588, saving £167 a year.

Beyond the top five, other competitive options include fixed deals from E.ON Next, EDF Energy and British Gas, with savings ranging from £110 to £170 a year depending on the length of the fix and exit fee structure.

These tariffs represent a notable shift from the past two years, when most fixed deals were priced higher than the variable tariff, making switching less attractive. But with wholesale energy costs stabilising, suppliers are now offering fixed rates below the cap – something not seen consistently since before the 2021 energy crisis.

The price cap, set by Ofgem, is currently £1,755 for a typical dual fuel household paying by direct debit. It rose at the start of October, putting more pressure on household budgets heading into winter. The cap limits the unit rates and standing charges suppliers can charge customers on standard variable tariffs, but it doesn’t guarantee your exact bill – households using more energy will pay more.

While the cap provides some protection, it doesn’t stop suppliers from offering cheaper fixed deals. For many households, locking in now could provide welcome price certainty, particularly as energy use increases during the colder months.

However, consumers should always check exit fees and fix lengths before switching. Some deals have higher charges if you leave early, which could matter if prices fall further in future.

All figures are based on Uswitch.com data as of 9:00am on October 13, 2025. Tariffs listed exclude pay-as-you-go, bundles and renewal-only deals, and prices can vary by region.

The energy regulator Ofgem updates the price cap every three months, meaning the next change will come in January. For anyone unsure whether switching makes sense for their home, running a quick comparison is the simplest way to find out. As Owen notes, “Locking in a cheaper tariff now could offer peace of mind for the year ahead – and leave you with more in your pocket by next winter.”