What Happens If You Miss Your Energy Tariff Renewal?
Life gets busy. Renewal letters pile up with the post. And before you know it, your fixed energy deal has quietly expired and you're paying more than you need to.
It happens to more households than you'd think.
Here's exactly what happens when you miss your energy tariff renewal, what it means for your bills, and what to do about it.
You get rolled onto a Standard Variable Tariff (SVT)
When a fixed energy deal ends and you haven't chosen a new one, your supplier automatically moves you onto their Standard Variable Tariff (sometimes called a default tariff).
This isn't a punishment. It's just the fallback.
But it's usually more expensive than a competitive fixed deal, and the price can change every quarter in line with the Ofgem energy price cap.
That brings us to why it matters right now.
The price cap protects you, but it doesn't guarantee good value
Ofgem's energy price cap limits what suppliers can charge per unit on SVTs. It's reviewed every three months: January, April, July, and October.
It's a safeguard, not a promise that you're on a good deal.
The cap sits at £1,641 per year for a typical dual-fuel household paying by Direct Debit (April to June 2026). From 1 July 2026, that rises by 13% to £1,862. That's roughly £18 a month extra for the average household, driven by higher wholesale gas costs linked to instability in international energy markets.
If you've drifted onto an SVT, what you pay can move with the cap each quarter.
Your supplier should have warned you
Under Ofgem rules, suppliers must write to you between 42 and 49 days before your fixed tariff ends, explaining your options. This is called your Statement of Renewal Terms.
If you missed it, check:
- your email inbox (and spam)
- your online account
- paper post
- your latest bill
Are there exit fees if you leave?
If your fixed deal has already ended and you're now on an SVT, there are no exit fees.
If your deal is still active but ending soon, you can switch to a new supplier within the final 49 days of your contract without paying exit fees, even if your tariff usually has them.
What should you do now?
1. Check where you stand
Look at your current tariff name and end date in your bill or supplier account. If it says "Standard Variable", "Default", or "SVT", you've likely already rolled over.
2. Compare the market
Use a comparison service (Uswitch, MoneySuperMarket, or MSE Energy Club are good starting points) and compare unit rates + standing charges, not just headline annual cost.
3. Decide: fixed certainty or variable flexibility
Some fixed-rate deals are currently available below SVT cap levels, which can save money if prices stay high or rise further.
If wholesale prices fall, SVTs may come down too.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer. This is a certainty vs flexibility decision.
4. Switch if needed
Switching suppliers is usually straightforward and your supply isn't interrupted. The new supplier handles the transfer, and many switches complete within five working days.
How Groat can help
One of the most common household money leaks is quietly rolling onto expensive default tariffs for months without realising.
Groat helps you track bills over time, spot creeping costs, and stay ahead of renewal dates.
If this post sounds familiar, these guides can help you tighten your full renewal system:
- [How to Stop Missing Contract Renewals in the UK](/blog/how-to-stop-missing-contract-renewals-uk)
- [How to Track Household Bills in the UK](/blog/how-to-track-household-bills-uk)
If your energy bill looks higher than expected, check whether tariff rollover is the reason.
Energy prices and price cap figures are correct as of May 2026. Always compare live tariffs before switching.
— Team Groat