Brits warned they have just four weeks until energy bills rise for winter – what to do NOW to escape hikes

BRITS have just four weeks left until energy bills will rise ahead of winter, with experts warning that households should take action now to escape price hikes. Bills will rise by 4% to their highest level in three years for millions of households on October 1, under the regulator’s price cap. A typical household on a standard tariff will then pay £1,723 a year for their energy. And analysts have forecast that bills could go up by another 8.6% in January to £1,872 a year in a further blow to hard-pressed families. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! If you’re on a standard variable tariff – which is your energy supplier’s basic plan – you’re likely to be hit by these price increases. However, experts at USwitch say households can dodge these hikes by switching to a fixed deal now. There are currently 20 deals that are lower than Ofgem’s upcoming price cap, which could save you over £300, the price comparison website says. The cheapest fixed tariff on the market is an 18-month deal from Fuse Energy, at £1,538 for a typical home. That’s £334 below the £1,872 January price cap forecast by Cornwall Insight. Ben Gallizzi, an energy expert from Uswitch, said: “For the millions of households on standard variable tariffs, energy bills will rise on October 1 unless they take action now. Most read in Money “This is the time to get on top of your bills, with predictions showing an additional increase in January, when we use significantly more energy to heat our homes. “If you have never switched energy supplier or tariffs, or haven’t switched in over a year, you are probably on your supplier’s standard energy plan, which is likely not the cheapest option. “There are 20 fixed deals available that are cheaper than the price cap, with savings on offer of up to £185 compared to October rates. “These deals might not be around for long, so take a few minutes to check online to see what is available to you.” Top ten cheapest fixed energy tariffs right now Fuse Energy Tariff: August 2026 Fixed (18m) V15 Duration: 18 months Average annual bill: £1,538 Vs. July cap (£1,663): £125 below cap Vs. October cap (£1,723): £185 below cap Exit fees: £50 per fuel Availability: Uswitch.com, Confused, and Fuse Energy Fuse Energy Tariff: August 2026 Fixed (24m) V1 Duration: 24 months Average annual bill: £1,539 Vs. July cap (£1,663): £124 below cap Vs. October cap (£1,723): £184 below cap Exit fees: £50 per fuel Availability: Direct via Fuse Energy Outfox Energy Tariff: Fix’d Dual Aug26 24M v1 – Family Advantage+ Duration: 24 months Average annual bill: £1,565 Vs. July cap (£1,663): £98 below cap Vs. October cap (£1,723): £158 below cap Exit fees: £100 per fuel Availability: Direct via Outfox Energy Outfox Energy Tariff: Fix’d Dual Aug26 18M v1 – Family Advantage+ Duration: 18 months Average annual bill: £1,566 Vs. July cap (£1,663): £97 below cap Vs. October cap (£1,723): £157 below cap Exit fees: £75 per fuel Availability: Direct via Outfox Energy Ecotricity Tariff: EcoFixed – 2 Year August 26 v4 Duration: 24 months Average annual bill: £1,613 Vs. July cap (£1,663): £50 below cap Vs. October cap (£1,723): £110 below cap Exit fees: £100 per fuel Availability: Uswitch.com, Confused, and Ecotricity E.ON Next Tariff: Next Fixed 24m Exclusive v13 Duration: 24 months Average annual bill: £1,649 Vs. July cap (£1,663): £14 below cap Vs. October cap (£1,723): £74 below cap Exit fees: £100 per fuel Availability: Uswitch.com, Confused, and E.ON Next E.ON Next Tariff: Next Fixed 24m v67 Duration: 24 months Average annual bill: £1,670 Vs. July cap (£1,663): £7 above cap Vs. October cap (£1,723): £53 below cap Exit fees: £100 per fuel Availability: Uswitch.com, Confused, and E.ON Next So Energy Tariff: So Jellyfish 24m Duration: 24 months Average annual bill: £1,681 Vs. July cap (£1,663): £18 above cap Vs. October cap (£1,723): £42 below cap Exit fees: £95 per fuel Availability: Uswitch.com, Confused, and So Energy Sainsbury’s Energy Tariff: Sainsburys Fix and Reward Fixed 24m v51 Duration: 24 months Average annual bill: £1,686 Vs. July cap (£1,663): £23 above cap Vs. October cap (£1,723): £37 below cap Exit fees: £100 per fuel Availability: Direct via Sainsbury’s Energy Octopus Energy Tariff: Octopus 12M Fixed August 2026 v6 Duration: 12 months Average annual bill: £1,699 Vs. July cap (£1,663): £36 above cap Vs. October cap (£1,723): £24 below cap Exit fees: £50 per fuel Availability: Direct via Octopus Energy Comment now