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Fixed energy deals have been returning to the market following the energy crisis, leaving many households asking whether now is a good time to switch.

July's price cap is set at £1,720, and the best energy deals currently available can beat this level by up to £181 annually.

It's always worth comparing energy providers if you're looking to make savings and avoid paying more than you need to. 

Cornwall Insight, the independent energy consultancy, predicts the energy price cap will fall to £1,698 in October. The top fixed tariffs beat this prediction, so it could be worth locking in a deal.

Along with comparing energy tariffs, it's a good idea to try cutting your bill with our energy saving tips too.

The table below shows you the cheapest energy deals this week. It's a good idea to compare the best deals with what you are currently paying, because rates vary by region. 

Energy companies charge for energy by the kilowatt hour (kWh), so if you use more than the average household, you'll pay more. 

It's therefore important to check the unit rate - how much you're charged per kWh - on a new fixed tariff against that of your existing deal. 

> Compare the best energy deals with Uswitch* 

Best fixed energy deals this week

This is Money says: Two deals from Outfox Energy - previously called Outfox the Market - top our table of the best energy deals this week. 

But the supplier has increased its exit fees by £25 per fuel across each of its deals, which serves as a good reminder to check that you're happy with these costs when comparing energy suppliers.

Under Ofgem rules, your supplier needs to tell you when your fixed tariff is due to end and can't charge you exit fees when switching within the last 49 days of your contract.

Should I fix my energy and switch providers?

Switching to a fixed tariff from a variable one could put more money in your pocket. It's also worth thinking about fixing your energy if you like to know exactly how much your bills will be each month.

Energy costs and standing charges stay the same over the length of a fixed contract, helping you budget.

Jonathan Brearley, the chief executive of Ofgem, has said that customers should consider switching or fixing to try to lower costs and give certainty over payments. He's also said that prices are set to remain high and volatile for the foreseeable future. 

Energy consultancy Cornwall Insight releases monthly predictions for movements in the price cap and is predicting that it will decrease slightly to £1,698 in October.

Suppliers British Gas and EDF give more regular updates and the latest predictions are for a slight increase in the cap, but keep in mind that confidence in these are forecasts are low. 

Predictions are based on current prices and views and it's impossible to know exactly what will happen, especially the further into the future they look. 

The energy market is easily influenced by international events and political tensions that can't be forecast.

That being said, the best fixed energy deals at the moment beat these predictions, so fixing is really worth considering. 

How many fixed energy deals are there?

While there are now fixed-rate energy deals that households can switch to that undercut the Ofgem price cap and save money, it's taken a few years for providers to start offering them again.

Until the energy crunch arrived in late 2021, the advice was simple: households should switch energy providers regularly to get the best deal possible.

The cheapest deals were fixed-rate tariffs, with variable rates normally reserved for households that had reached the end of their cheap tariff and not switched.

But affordable fixed-rate deals began to vanish in autumn 2021, because wholesale energy prices started rising.

Many comparison sites then paused their energy switching services, energy providers stopped taking on new customers, and the common advice was that most people would be better off on deals subject to the Ofgem price cap.

This has left 22 million households lumbered with variable-rate deals.

With fixed energy tariffs returning to the market, switching energy provider could once again help you save money on bills.

Can my energy price increase on a fixed tariff?

Your energy provider can't raise your unit cost of energy or standing charge while you're on a fixed tariff.

Your bill could still move up and down depending on how much energy you use. If you use more, you'll pay more. 

It's the standing charge and cost per unit of energy that's fixed, not your overall bill.

Is now a good time to fix energy prices?

The price cap has risen three times in a row, meaning it's a good time to look for a fixed energy deal.

You could save money if you can find one that beats the current cap and forecasts for future changes. Be sure to consider how much the cap will move over the whole year, not just the next few months.

You can compare the best energy deals* for you based on your home and gas and electricity costs through This is Money's recommended partner Uswitch.