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SSE Tariffs: Fixed, Standard and Economy 7 Prices

Updated on
min reading
SSE logo on a white and blue background

SSE, a subsidiary of OVO Energy, provides gas and electricity to around 3.5 million households across the country, as well as other home services such as heating and boiler cover, phone and broadband. Do its energy prices justify such a large customer base? We break down the latest SSE tariffs in detail to see whether its users are getting the best deal possible.

💸 SSE Tariffs

SSE offers a range of tariffs at different price points, depending on customer circumstances and requirements. This includes fixed-price, variable, and prepayment plans. All of these tariffs are available as either dual fuel, gas only or electricity only.

We break down the various types of SSE tariffs in the sections below:

  • Tariffs for existing customers
  • Tariffs for new customers
  • Fixed rate tariffs
  • Pay As You Go tariffs

The SSE tariffs covered in this guide are for domestic energy customers. If you're searching for energy tariffs for your business, take a look at our business energy section.

Before looking at the list of SSE tariffs, let's take a look at how SSE compares in terms of pricing to the rest of the energy market. We’ll use Which? value for money scores to determine how each provider performs:

Suppliers' Value for Money Ranked by Which? Score
Energy Supplier Which? Value for Money score
Octopus Energy ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ovo Energy ⭐⭐⭐⭐
So Energy ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Utility Warehouse ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Outfox The Market ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Boost ⭐⭐⭐
Utilita ⭐⭐⭐
Sainsbury's Energy ⭐⭐⭐
Shell Energy ⭐⭐⭐
British Gas ⭐⭐
EDF Energy ⭐⭐
SSE (Takeover by Ovo Energy in June 2019) ⭐⭐
E.ON ⭐⭐
Scottish Power ⭐⭐
E.ON Next

*For illustrative purposes only. Figures taken from Which?'s September 2021 survey.

 
 

💡 SSE Tariffs for existing customers

Unfortunately, existing customers will likely find it impossible to get the best SSE tariffs. The supplier generally keeps its better deals for new customers as an incentive to sign up in the first place.

Customers who allow their SSE tariff to roll over after the end of their initial contract will find themselves automatically moved on to a standard variable rate. These are usually the most expensive prices an energy supplier can offer, so we recommend planning ahead and comparing energy deals to switch tariff or provider as soon as your current plan comes to an end.

For more information on SSE’s current standard variable tariff rates, scroll down to ‘Variable Tariffs’.

🧾 SSE Tariffs for new customers

Magnifying glass and energy tariff

Those on standard meters signing up with the supplier for the first time have a wider choice of SSE tariffs. Let’s take a look at these plans before comparing them against each other.

All SSE tariffs included in this guide are correct at the time of publishing. However, the provider does change its prices throughout the year.

Fixed-rate tariffs

A fixed-rate tariff is an energy plan where the unit price and daily standing charge remain the same for the duration of the contract, protecting households from sharp energy cost increases. SSE offers fixed tariffs of one or two years, where you’ll see no change to the locked-in price you initially sign up for, even if wholesale energy prices rise or fall.

SSE 2 Year Fix

The 1 Year Fix is SSE’s 24 month fixed price tariff. This plan comes with a smart meter included and, as well as guaranteed no price rises, there's also no exit fee if you leave before your term ends.

SSE 2 Year Fix tariff features:

  • Fixed energy prices for 24 months.
  • No early exit fee should you decide to switch tariff or provider.
  • Free smart meter and installation.

SSE seems to prefer that its customers pay by monthly direct debit, as it was the only method on offer to us when we took out a quote. 

Variable tariffs

Signing up for an SSE variable tariff, otherwise known as its standard tariff, means agreeing to potential changes in your unit rate and standing charge throughout the year as wholesale market prices fluctuate. While this is great when energy prices fall, it can also see steep increases in your energy costs.

Energy regulator Ofgem sets a price cap for variable tariffs around every six months, which is the recommended limit for how much a provider can charge you. SSE’s variable tariff rates often change around the same time to fall in line with this cap. The latest price cap came into effect in October 2021 and is set at £1,309.

Energy suppliers are required to let customers know of any change in prices at least a month in advance, at which point you can switch to another tariff or provider. SSE’s standard tariff comes with no minimum commitment and no exit fees, so customers are free to leave when they want.

SSE Standard Tariff features:

  • Cost of energy can change according to wholesale market prices.
  • No minimum commitment or end date.
  • No exit fees, should you wish to switch tariff or provider.

SSE Pay As You Go tariffs

Next, let’s take a look at SSE tariffs for prepayment customers. While a pay as you go energy plan can be great for keeping on top of your energy spending and knowing exactly how much you are paying each month, the truth is that this type of tariff usually works out more expensive than any other fixed or variable tariff.

SSE currently seems to offer just one prepayment tariff; its Standard Variable Pay As You Go.

Standard Variable Pay As You Go features:

  • Cost of energy can change according to wholesale market prices.
  • No minimum commitment or end date.
  • No exit fees should you wish to switch tariff or provider.

SSE Economy 7 tariffs

Economy 7 meter

Each of the SSE tariffs above are available on Economy 7 electricity plans, with two different unit rates depending on the time. A peak rate records energy usage throughout the day, while a cheaper, seven-hour off-peak rate is charged overnight.

This can be particularly useful for those with overnight storage heaters, which can be charged while prices are cheaper. However, you’ll want to keep a close eye on your electricity use during the day, as peak rates are usually a lot more expensive than what you would pay on a standard fixed plan.

SSE’s Economy 7 off-peak times differ according to location, but typically the seven-hour period is sometime between 10pm and 8.30am, depending on the time of year.

Does SSE offer a green tariff?

At present SSE does not offer any tariffs using 100% renewable energy. However, its partner OVO Energy does provide 100% renewable electricity as standard on all of its tariffs.

What is SSE’s cheapest tariff?

The best way to ensure you are on the cheapest SSE rates right now is to sign up as a new customer to the SSE 2 Year Fix tariff. While the unit rate on its standard variable tariff may fluctuate and occasionally be lower, a fixed tariff locks you in at the same price for the duration of the contract. This means that you’ll be protected from any sudden price hikes during the current energy crisis.

Is SSE the cheapest energy supplier? Whether SSE is the cheapest supplier for you depends on your own personal circumstances. What is the cheapest deal for one household may not be the best for another. As such, we recommend shopping around for the best deal. Here at Selectra, we can help you make up your mind with a variety of options from our handpicked panel of energy suppliers. For a free, no-commitment quote, speak to an energy expert on 020 3936 0059 or get a free callback now.

🎁 SSE bundles

In addition to its regular energy tariffs, SSE also offers ‘bundle’ deals, with another of its services included, such as boiler cover or one of its broadband packages. To find out more information about energy deals that include fibre internet and how to sign up, see our SSE Broadband guide.

The services and products mentioned on this website may only represent a small selection of the options available to you. Selectra encourages you to carry out your own research and seek advice if necessary before making any decisions. We may receive commission from selected partner providers on sales of some products and/or services mentioned within this website. Our website is free to use, and the commission we receive does not affect our opinion or the information we provide.

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