What happens when your energy deal ending date arrives
Somewhere on last year’s welcome email is a date you probably never wrote down. It’s the day your fixed energy deal ends, and once it passes, your supplier moves you onto its standard variable tariff automatically. No form, no phone call, no warning banner on your account. It just happens.
That’s not a scandal. It’s how the market has always worked. But it is the moment your supplier is quietly hoping you’ll ignore, because a variable rate tends to track close to the Ofgem price cap, and the cap has been anything but flat this year.
This guide is about that one date: what an energy deal ending actually means for your bill, why doing nothing is the expensive option, and the quick check that avoids it. If you want the fuller picture of how fixed rates work first, our guide to fixed price energy tariffs covers the basics.
Is my energy deal ending soon?
Most fixed deals run for 12 or 24 months, so if you switched or renewed last autumn or the autumn before, this is roughly when they lapse. Check your online account or your most recent bill. Suppliers list an “end date” or “tariff end date” field, and most send a reminder email 42 to 49 days before, as required by Ofgem rules. Don’t rely on spotting it though. Reminder emails land in spam more often than anyone would like.
A quick five minute login is the whole job here. If the end date is within the next couple of months, your energy deal ending is close enough that it’s worth a look today rather than filing it away for later.
Why an energy deal ending matters more this year
Ofgem resets its price cap every three months, and the level for 1 October has just been set against a backdrop analysts have been calling one of the tighter winters for wholesale prices in a few years. Roll onto your supplier’s standard variable tariff right as that reset lands, and you could be paying the new capped rate with none of the certainty a fresh fix would have given you.
It’s worth being precise here. Nobody at Switcheroo can tell you exactly what your bill will be, because that depends on your usage, your region and the deal you land on next. What we can say is that an energy deal ending without a replacement defaults you to a rate that moves every quarter, and our guide to the standard variable tariff explains why that’s rarely the cheapest option sitting on the market on any given day.
What are my options before the rollover?
You’ve got three realistic paths, and none of them need more than a few minutes.
- Ask your current supplier for a new fix. Loyal customers can often get a renewal offer just by logging in or calling, though it’s rarely their cheapest deal.
- Compare the whole market. A few minutes on a comparison site shows what’s actually on offer today, fixed or variable, across every supplier licensed to serve your postcode.
- Do nothing and accept the standard variable tariff. This is allowed, and for some households it’s a genuine choice, especially if you expect prices to fall or you value the flexibility to leave without an exit fee. Just make sure it’s a choice, not an accident.
Whichever you pick, do it before the energy deal ending date, not after. Some new tariffs need a few weeks to activate, and starting the search early means you’re choosing from the whole market rather than whatever’s left. Thinking about locking in for longer this time? Our two year tariff guide weighs that up.
Will switching now save me money?
Possibly, and this is where we have to be careful rather than punchy. Whether a new fix beats staying on the standard variable tariff depends on how your usage compares to a typical household, where you live and what rates suppliers are offering that week. Fixed deals also trade a locked in unit rate for less flexibility, usually with an exit fee if you leave early.
The honest answer is that any saving depends on your situation, and the only way to know is to run your postcode and usage through a comparison. Roo’s done the boring bit of pulling every live deal into one place, so it takes about as long as making a cup of tea to see where you’d land once your energy deal ending date arrives. Ofgem’s own household energy advice covers your switching rights in full, including the notice suppliers must give you.
Key takeaways
- Check your account or latest bill for your tariff end date today, not when the reminder email eventually turns up.
- An energy deal ending automatically rolls you onto your supplier’s standard variable tariff, no action needed on their part.
- An energy deal ending is not an emergency. Your supply carries on without a break either way.
- Standard variable tariffs move with the Ofgem price cap every three months, so certainty is the thing you lose.
- Comparing before the rollover, not after, means you’re choosing from the full market.
- Any saving from switching depends on your usage and postcode. Treat figures as a guide, not a promise.
Frequently asked questions about your energy deal ending
- Will I be cut off if I don’t switch when my energy deal ends?
- No. Your supply continues without interruption. You’re simply moved onto that supplier’s standard variable tariff, and you can shop around or switch away at any point afterwards.
- How much notice do suppliers have to give before my deal ends?
- Ofgem requires suppliers to notify you between 42 and 49 days ahead of your tariff ending, usually by email or letter, along with cheaper alternatives if they have one.
- Can I switch before my current energy deal ends without paying an exit fee?
- Most suppliers let you switch penalty free in the final weeks before your tariff ends, often around 49 days out. Check your terms, as the exact window varies by supplier.
- Is the standard variable tariff always the most expensive option?
- Not always, but it’s rarely the cheapest on any given day, since it moves with the Ofgem price cap rather than being a fixed, negotiated rate. Comparing is the only way to know for sure.
- What information do I need to compare energy deals?
- Just your postcode and a rough idea of your annual usage from a recent bill. You don’t need a smart meter or your supplier’s permission to check what else is out there.
Your supplier is banking on that end date slipping past unnoticed. It takes longer to make a brew than it does to check where you stand.
