Default
Standard variable
The tariff you’re on if you never chose one or your fix ended. Rates are limited by the Ofgem price cap and change every three months.
- Price changes
- Every 3 months
- Exit fees
- None
- Watch for
- Rises at each cap
Which tariff type should you choose?
- You want certainty: a fixed tariff, ideally priced at or below the current price cap.
- You think prices will fall: stay on standard variable or a tracker, and accept that rates can also rise.
- You have an EV, battery or heat pump: a time-of-use, EV or heat pump tariff usually beats everything else if you can shift usage.
- You use very little energy: look at the Ofgem lower standing charge pilot tariffs.
- You have storage heaters: check you are on Economy 7 or 10, and that your heaters charge during the cheap hours.
Sources: Ofgem: lower standing charge tariffs, next steps · Ofgem: Smart Export Guarantee.
Unit rates vs standing charges
Every tariff has two parts. The unit rate is what you pay per kWh. The standing charge is a fixed daily amount that covers network and supplier costs, whether you use energy or not. A tariff with a low unit rate but a high standing charge can cost more if you use little energy, so always compare both for your own annual usage.
Last updated: 15 October 2026
