How UK Rules Will Change Dual Fuel Tariffs by 2030

Dual fuel tariffs are a type of energy plan. A house gets gas and electricity from one energy supplier. There will be only one account for both of them. You do not get two bills. There is one point of contact, and you pay with just one direct debit.

Some of these energy plans have exclusive discounts. A single account can help you keep things simple. This makes it easy if you want to switch to another energy supplier later.

From 2026 to 2030, Ofgem’s energy price cap will follow new rules. The energy market will also change, with updates to standing charges and a few other rules. Because of these changes, the way dual fuel energy is priced and how we compare it will not be the same as before. If you know about these new rules, you can make better choices for the future. You might keep your current deal, get a new supplier, or decide to use separate suppliers for gas and electricity. This can help you feel good about what you pick for your home when it comes to the price cap and the way the energy market works.

The Current Landscape: Price Cap, Unit Rates & Standing Charges (2025 Baseline)

Ofgem’s energy price cap today

• From 1 July to 30 September 2025, the energy price cap for a normal home that pays by direct debit will be £1,720 each year.
• From 1 October 2025, the price cap will go up by 2%, so it will be £1,755 for the same type of home.
• The price cap decides the unit rates and standing charges for standard variable tariffs that energy companies give to people.

Note: The energy costs you see here are the average for England, Scotland, and Wales. The price you pay can be more or less. It will change based on where you live, the type of meter you have, and how much gas or electricity you use.

Why this baseline matters

This baseline matters because it sets the rules for how dual fuel tariff rules can change later on. A lot of energy suppliers work with a basic dual fuel deal that comes from the price cap. If you have a standard variable tariff or your fixed tariff is over, you will notice how these changes show up for you right away.

It helps you pick the best option when you look at new energy deals. You can use it to check if a fixed rate and fees when you leave are good for you.

New Rules on Standing Charges & Cost Redistribution

Ofgem’s plan to force lower standing charges by 2026

In September 2025, Ofgem told the big energy suppliers they have to offer at least one tariff with a lower standing charge by January 2026. The idea is to give people more choice when it comes to paying their fixed costs. But Ofgem also said bills might not always get lower. The total cost could go up if the unit rates increase instead.

For dual fuel energy, you may notice that the plans the suppliers offer have a lower daily fixed cost but higher unit rates. Sometimes, it may be switched around. There are some plans that have higher daily charges, but their unit rates are lower.

Effect on households and comparisons

• If you don’t use much energy, you might save money by picking a tariff that has a lower standing charge. When your energy use is low, the fixed costs make up more of your energy bill.
• If you use a lot of energy at home, you may not save as much with a lower standing charge. A higher unit rate can make up for the less expensive fixed cost, so your savings could be small.
• When you look at a dual fuel comparison, you should check both the unit rates for gas and electricity, and see what the standing charge is. This way, you have a better chance to get the cheapest option for your energy bill.

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Regulatory Shifts on Dual Fuel & Energy Market Reform 2026–2030

Consumer protection, switching rules & the Energy Switch Guarantee

Future rules will likely make customer service better for dual fuel suppliers. These rules may say that they have to solve problems faster. Bills will be easier to read, and people who need help the most will get extra support.

The Energy Switch Guarantee helps you when you change your energy supplier. It makes sure you do not lose power. You also will not get charged more money. Many people have seen this be true. The rules for the energy switch guarantee are expected to be more important in the future. If you move from one dual fuel supplier to another using just one energy account, this help can be bigger.

New rules can help people understand early exit fees and exit fees with fixed tariffs. This makes people feel safe about moving to a new plan. You will not have to worry about hidden costs. These steps let households feel better when they pick or leave a plan.

Licensing rules, tariff transparency & bundled offers

• Suppliers need to make sure that customers know if the tariffs are for dual fuel or single fuel. They have to show things like unit rates, standing charges, and any bundle discounts. All the details should be easy to read and simple to get.
• A licence for energy suppliers could have stricter rules. This can be about deals with bundles. It also makes sure any dual fuel discount is real and not just there to look good.
• A new supplier may have to follow rules that ask for a “no worse than separate suppliers” guarantee. This means the dual fuel plan has to give at least what you get with the best single fuel deals for electricity and gas. If the dual fuel plan is not as good, the supplier needs to show which parts are not as good.

Scenarios: How Households Will Be Affected Through 2030

Scenario A: Fixed dual fuel tariff holders

If you have a fixed tariff for your home, you will not see any changes from Ofgem’s energy price cap for now. The new price cap will only affect you when your contract ends.

• You may have to pay early exit fees if you leave the supplier before the end of your contract.
• When your contract ends, you will go onto a default dual fuel deal that can change with time unless you pick a new one.
• Your dual fuel plan may need to follow new rules one day. It could need to offer a standing charge that is not as high.

Scenario B: Households on variable or default dual fuel plans

• These will feel the change right away if there is a change in the cap or in wholesale energy prices.
• They may want to switch to plans with a cost that is set up differently. For example, they could pick one with a lower standing charge and a higher price for using energy. This depends on what the rules say.
• They need to check energy comparison more often. It is good for them to switch to better deals when these are offered.

Scenario C: Transition to low-gas use / hybrid systems

In homes where people start to use renewable energy or heat pumps, gas use will probably get lower over time. This change can be good for us and the environment as we go on.

• A dual fuel discount may not help much right now. This is because gas is a small part of the bill for most people.
• Some suppliers will soon offer new deals, such as mixing electricity with backup gas.
• A few people will use separate suppliers for a while. This will happen if their provider does not offer them good options for renewable energy.

What You Must Do Today to Prepare for the Changes

Use your recent bill for comparisons

Your recent bill has all you need. It shows your electricity usage, gas use, unit rates, standing charge, and type of meter. The bill also has how you pay. You can use these details to make a real dual fuel comparison. This helps you get good results and not depend on guesses.

Compare energy suppliers & deals regularly

• Use a tool to look up and check energy prices where you live. If you want both gas and electric in one deal, this can help you compare them.
• When you want to find good energy prices, do not just pick the lowest unit rate. Make sure to look at the standing charge and any exit fees too.
• Think about if a fixed tariff or a variable tariff is better for you and the way you live.

Monitor regulatory news & supplier announcements

• Make sure you follow the Ofgem consultations. Check for any new changes in rules that deal with standing charge reform. Know about the tariffs and what they mean.
• If your contract with your current energy supplier is ending, be ready to switch to a new supplier. Do this if your energy deal is not working for you.
• You can think about swapping to a new supplier before your contract ends. Find out first if there are early exit fees, so you don’t get caught with extra charges.

Understand your meter and payment method

• A smart meter gives you better meter readings. This helps you not get estimated bills and shows you how your usage goes up or down.
• The price cap is decided when you pay by monthly direct debit. If you pay by something else, like prepayment or standard credit, your price might be different.
• If you use a prepayment meter, the price cap for that way is not the same. From October 2025, most homes using prepay meters will pay about £1,707.

Key Risks & Watchouts Under New Regulation

Cost shifting instead of cost lowering

Lower standing charges might mean you pay more through higher unit rates. A dual fuel deal might look good at first because of its set costs. But if you use a lot of energy, it could end up costing you more overall.

Complexity in comparing plans

Now there are more types of tariffs, so families need to check energy plans with care. Some new energy plans may not show all details clearly. There may be changes in customer service, in how bills are handled, or with exit fees. People may not see these things easily.

Suppliers dropping less profitable customers

Suppliers can choose not to offer some plans if you pay a lot or use very little gas or electricity. At times, they may ask you to move to new dual fuel tariffs. The new deal may not be as good as what you had before.

Skipping smart meters and meter reading errors

Homes with old meters or no meter readings can get bills that are only guesses. The bills may not be right. This means people might have to pay too much or not enough for their energy.

What Might 2026–2030 Bring for Dual Fuel in the UK

More tariff flexibility & tailored pricing

• By the years 2028 to 2030, there may be time-of-use dual fuel tariffs. You might also see new tariffs that let you decide if a lower standing charge or a lower unit rate works better for you.
• Energy suppliers could offer hybrid choices. These plans let you use both renewable energy and some gas for backup, as electricity usage in homes goes up.

Stronger customer protections & transparency rules

• The rules may ask suppliers to show you a full list of costs. You can see how much you pay for the network and wholesale each time.
• The rules might be stricter for exit fees, forced rollovers, and exclusive discounts. These things can sometimes be hard to understand or not clear.

Ofgem’s continued oversight and reform

• Ofgem might change the way the price cap works. The group could stop tying it to changes in wholesale prices. They may make different caps for every area or zone.
• If wholesale prices fall a lot, the regulator could make big suppliers share lower prices with people sooner.
• There will be more checks on energy companies. They will look at extra charges added to bills, unfair help from services, and bills that are tough to read.

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How to Spot the Best Dual Fuel Deal During Regulatory Transition

• Pick plans that have tariffs lower than the energy price cap for how much you use.
• Choose offers that give you both gas and electric if the discount is real over getting them from separate suppliers.
• Do not choose plans that have big early exit fees, unless you feel sure you will be with them until the end.
• Go with suppliers who people say have good customer service.
• Make sure the plan matches your type of meter, or a smart meter, if you have one.
• Use dual fuel comparison sites every now and then, checking with up-to-date info in case new rules or changes to regulation come in.

FAQs: Regulation, Price Cap & Dual Fuel Bills