There’s no denying that potential energy cost savings are small at the moment. But don’t let that put you off switching to a cheaper deal if you’re on an out-of-contract tariff.
Last March, customers could have saved more than £300 per year by switching gas and electricity deal. Currently, the biggest saving for an equivalent home is £139.
Savings look smaller because the price cap on standard (or out-of-contract) energy deals is around £100 lower than it was a year ago. But deals also aren’t as cheap.
However, if your tariff is ending, or you aren’t on a fixed tariff, you should find the best deal you can, or risk a price rise from 1 April when the new price cap in introduced.
Compare gas and electricity prices using Which? Switch, our independent energy comparison website, to see how much you could save on your energy bills.
You can also phone us on 0800 410 1149 or 01259 220235.
Top five cheapest gas and electricity deals
The tariffs we’ve listed here will save you at least £110 per year on your energy bills. This presumes that you’re currently on a tariff that costs the maximum permitted by the current price cap.
From 1 April, this is increasing by £95 per year. So if your supplier is among the many energy firms that are increasing prices to match, you’ll be faced with a bigger bill.
We’ve based the savings on a household which uses a medium amount of gas and electricity and pays by monthly direct debit. If you use more or less energy, how much you pay and how much you can save by switching will be different. Prices also vary by region.
| Company | Tariff | Annual price (medium user) | Fixed/ variable | Exit fee | Savings compared with the price cap | |
| 1 | Hub Energy | Hub Smart Choice Tariff 12 March 22 v3 – paperless | £903 | Fixed | £30 per fuel | £139 |
| 2 | Avro Energy | Simple and GoSwitcher – paperless | £914 | Fixed | £30 per fuel | £128 |
| 3 | Utility Point | Just Up 21 12M Fixed Wk09 – paperless | £919 | Fixed | £36 per fuel | £123 |
| 4 | Avro Energy | Simple and SuperSaving – paperless | £930 | Fixed | None | £112 |
| 5 | Goto Energy | Goto Standard Variable Tariff – paperless | £932 | Variable | None | £110 |
Prices are based on widely available dual-fuel tariffs for a medium user (Using Ofgem averages of 12,000kWh gas and 2,900kWh electricity), paying by fixed monthly direct debit with paperless bills. Prices are from Energylinx and are averages across regions, rounded to the nearest whole pound and correct on 10 March 2021.
Most of this month’s cheapest deals have an exit fee if you want to leave before the 12 months are up. If prices drop over the next few months, you might be able to save enough by switching to outweigh paying an exit fee. Keep exit fees in mind but they shouldn’t put you off switching.
Avro Energy’s deal is the exception, however. Its fixed rates mean that the amount you’re charged for each unit of gas and electricity you use won’t change for a year. But you also won’t have to pay a penalty if you want to switch tariff or supplier in that time.
The cheapest deal this month – by £11 per year – is from Hub Energy (previously called Gulf Gas & Power).
Find out more about Hub Energy and other small suppliers.
Related: See more tips for getting the best energy deal.
The cheapest gas and electricity deals from highly rated energy suppliers
One of the highest-ranked energy firms in our latest customer survey also offers one of the cheapest deals this month: Avro Energy.
Another high-scoring firm, People’s Energy, is selling one of the cheapest tariffs, although you’ll only be able to switch to it if you live in southern Scotland. If you do, it could save you £206 per year, compared with the new price cap.
To save money on energy without forfeiting good customer service, choose a tariff from a firm that’s among the best in our survey. Here are the cheapest tariffs from other firms that ranked in the top five.
| Which? survey position | Company | Tariff | Annual price (medium user) | Fixed/ variable | Exit fee | Savings compared with the price cap |
| 1 | Outfox the Market | Fix’d 21 8.0 – paperless | £935 | Fixed | None | £107 |
| 2 | Octopus Energy | Octopus Exclusive 12M Fixed March 2021 v1 – paperless | £995 | Fixed | None | £47 |
| 5 | Pure Planet | 100% Green 12m Fixed Mar21 v1 – paperless | £960 | Fixed | £30 per fuel | £82 |
Prices are based on widely available dual-fuel tariffs for a medium user (Using Ofgem averages of 12,000kWh gas and 2,900kWh electricity), paying by fixed monthly direct debit with paperless bills. Prices are from Energylinx and are averages across regions, rounded to the nearest whole pound and correct on 10 March 2021.
See all full results for the best and worst energy companies for 2021.
Which? energy pricing research
Prices are based on widely available dual-fuel tariffs, paying by fixed monthly direct debit, with paperless bills. Energy use is based on Ofgem’s annual average figures for a medium user (12,000kWh gas and 2,900kWh electricity).
Comparisons are based on the current price cap, in place until 31 March 2021. From 1 April it will increase to the equivalent of £1,138 for a medium user.
Data is from Energylinx. Prices given are averages across regions, rounded to the nearest whole pound and correct on 10 March 2021.
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/03/top-five-cheapest-energy-supplier-deals-for-march-2021/