How do you find the right electricity and broadband deals?
Finding the right electricity and broadband deals comes down to knowing three things: what you pay now, when each contract ends, and what is on offer at your address. Most of us set these bills up once and never look again, which is exactly what suppliers and providers quietly count on.
The good news is that the two bills work differently, so the checks are different too. Energy is tied to a regulated price cap, while broadband is tied to a contract with its own rules. Get to grips with both and you can compare electricity and broadband deals in one sitting.
Start by pulling out your latest bills, before you look at any electricity and broadband deals. Note your annual energy use, your current rates and your broadband contract end date. That gives you a baseline, so you can tell whether a new offer is better or just looks it.
How does the price cap affect electricity and broadband deals?
The energy price cap limits what suppliers can charge on default tariffs, and it is the benchmark most electricity deals are judged against. Ofgem says it protects around 22 million households on default tariffs, and it is updated every three months.
From 1 October to 31 December 2026, Ofgem set the price cap for a typical household paying by Direct Debit for gas and electricity at £1,723 a year, up £60 from £1,663. That is an estimate for an average home, based on typical use, so your own bill will differ.
Ofgem also says around 35% of households, about 11 million, are on fixed tariffs and were not affected by that rise. When it announced the cap in August, it said fixed tariffs were available at £100 or more below the October price cap. Check what is on offer now, because fixed deals change.
Broadband has no price cap. What you pay is set by your contract, which is why the end date matters so much when you compare electricity and broadband deals side by side. Electricity and broadband deals need different checks.
Key takeaways
- Energy has a price cap on default tariffs. Broadband does not, so the contract terms matter more.
- Ofgem puts the typical dual fuel price cap at £1,723 a year from October 2026, for an average home.
- Ofcom says broadband providers must tell you when your contract is ending.
- Always check each contract end date before you switch.
What has changed for electricity bills this winter?
Household electricity bills in Great Britain no longer carry VAT. The government removed it on 1 October 2026 and, in the Autumn Budget on 28 October, said it will extend the cut until July 2027.
Ofgem says the VAT removal also benefits customers on fixed tariffs, with suppliers applying the discount automatically. So it applies whichever electricity deal you are on.
Ofgem has also pointed to other routes to a lower bill. It says many suppliers offer tariffs with cheaper electricity to smart meter customers for electricity used outside peak times, and that prepayment customers pay the lowest price cap rates. Whether those suit you depends on how and when you use power.
Our price cap guide for October has more on how the current cap works.
Should you bundle electricity and broadband deals?
Bundling can be worth a look, but do not assume it is cheaper. Some providers sell several services together, and where one does, compare the bundled price against what the same services cost separately.
Check the contract length too. Ofcom says that when you sign up for a phone, broadband or pay TV contract you are typically tied in for 12, 18 or 24 months, and that leaving early might mean an exit fee, also called an early termination charge.
A bundle can also tie two services to different dates. Ofcom says your end-of-contract notice must include details of other contracts you have taken as part of your bundle, including their end dates. Use it to line your renewals up. Our broadband and mobile bundles guide explains the broadband side in detail.
Any saving on electricity and broadband deals depends on your usage, your address and the deals available on the day, so treat advertised savings as estimates and read the small print.
What should you check before you switch?
Run through a short checklist before you commit to anything:
- Your contract end dates for broadband and any fixed energy deal.
- Any exit fee for leaving early, and any notice period.
- The price you will pay after any introductory period ends.
- Your annual energy use, so you can compare like with like.
Ofcom says your provider must send an end-of-contract notification, by text, email or letter, between 10 and 40 days before your contract ends. It must include your current price, what you will pay afterwards and the provider’s best deals, including prices only available to new customers.
That is useful, because it is the moment to compare. If you are already out of contract, Ofcom says you can shop around and could save money by switching. Our broadband contract check and energy bill schemes checklist are good starting points.
Comparing electricity and broadband deals takes a few minutes, and Roo will do the digging. The Do Nothing Default only works if you let it.
If you are ready to look, you can compare the best energy deals for your home in a few minutes.
Frequently asked questions about electricity and broadband deals
- Can I get electricity and broadband deals from one provider?
- Some providers sell several services together, but it varies. Compare any bundle against the separate prices, and check the end date for each service.
- Is there a price cap on broadband like there is on energy?
- No. The Ofgem price cap applies to default energy tariffs. Broadband prices are set by your contract.
- When should I look for new electricity and broadband deals?
- For broadband, when your end-of-contract notice arrives, which Ofcom says should be 10 to 40 days before your contract ends. For energy, check your fixed deal end date or follow price cap changes.
- Will I pay a fee if I leave my broadband early?
- Ofcom says you might pay an exit fee, also called an early termination charge, if you leave before your contract ends. Check your contract.
- Does the electricity VAT cut apply on a fixed tariff?
- Ofgem says the VAT removal also benefits customers on fixed tariffs, with suppliers applying the discount automatically. The cut applies to household electricity in Great Britain.
Sources
- Ofgem, Energy price cap will rise by 4% from October 2026 (26 August 2026). Supports the £1,723 cap, the 22 million households on default tariffs, the 35% (about 11 million) on fixed tariffs, fixed deals £100 or more below the cap, off-peak smart tariffs and prepayment paying the lowest cap rates.
- Ofcom, Are you in or out of contract? (updated 17 July 2026). Supports contract lengths, exit fees and the end-of-contract notice rules.
- GOV.UK, What the Autumn Budget 2026 means for your energy bills (28 October 2026). Supports the VAT removal and its extension to July 2027.
Checked 4 November 2026.
