Guides
Ofgem price cap vs Agile
The price cap is not a half-hourly tariff, so comparisons are always estimate-only.
Short answer
The Ofgem price cap and Agile are different kinds of tariff. The price cap is a benchmark for standard tariffs, while Agile changes every half-hour. That means any comparison between them is estimate-focused unless you also understand when the household actually uses electricity.
If you want live context while reading, check the dashboard, test a real run in the appliance timer, set a trigger in alerts, or compare the same day across regions.
Why they differ
The price cap is not a live half-hourly tariff. It is a benchmark level that standard variable tariffs cannot exceed for a typical customer profile. Agile, by contrast, is a real half-hourly import tariff whose value depends on the shape of each day. Comparing them is useful, but only if you remember they describe different things.
Usage timing matters
Agile outcomes depend on when you use electricity. That makes any comparison estimate-only unless you also know the household’s timing pattern. Two homes with the same annual usage can land in very different places if one uses power overnight and the other loads up the evening peak. This is why the dashboard, appliance timer, and alerts are all more useful than a single annual headline.
Treat results carefully
A simple flat-rate comparison can still be useful, but it is not the same as a full bill comparison. The price cap can help you judge whether Agile looks broadly high or low relative to a familiar benchmark. It cannot tell you what your real bill would be without a usage pattern. Use the compare tool as a first-pass estimate, not a guarantee.
Example
The price cap is not a half-hourly tariff. A flat 25p/kWh benchmark and an Agile day averaging 25p/kWh are not equivalent if Agile also contains a 35p–40p peak that catches your main usage. Two homes with the same annual usage can still see very different outcomes depending on timing.
What to watch out for
Do not treat a unit-rate estimate as a guarantee that Agile will beat a capped or fixed tariff for your bill. A cap comparison is a benchmark, not a personalised outcome.
Related tool
Use the practical view next
Related guides
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Best time to run a washing machine on Agile
The best slot is not always the most practical slot, so compare cheap windows against when you actually need the cycle to finish.
Best time to charge an EV
Agile can work for EV charging when you have enough overnight or daytime flexibility.
Reminder
These guides are practical and estimate-focused. They are not personalised tariff advice, and they do not replace a full bill comparison.