Compare fixed, variable, and dynamic energy contracts
Table: Compare fixed, variable, and dynamic contract
| Fixed | Variable | Dynamic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price changes | Is fixed for the duration of your contract | Usually changes monthly, ever 3 months, or every 6 months | This changes hourly for electricity and daily for gas |
| Monthly amount | Fixed monthly amount for an entire year | Fixed monthly amount for an entire year or with every (major) rate change | Depending on the supplier, this changes monthly based on consumption or it's a fixed monthly amount for the entire year |
| Cancellation fee | Yes | No | No |
Price changes
Fixed contract: fixed price
You agree on a fixed price for gas and electricity for a certain period with your energy supplier. This period is usually 1, 3, or 5 year(s).
Variable contract: price per time period
You set an energy rate for a specific period of time that applies at that moment. Depending on your supplier, these rates change every month, quarter, or another duration.
Dynamic contract: price changes
You buy electricity and gas at current prices. The electricity price varies per hour and the gas price per day. You can see the hourly and daily prices for the next day 1 day in advance.
Monthly amount
Fixed and variable: based on consumption
For a fixed and variable energy contract, your installment amount depends on your energy consumption. You pay this installment amount every month and it remains the same for the agreed on period of time during which you buy electricity and/or gas. With the annual statement, the amount can change. That's because:
- You're moving
- Your energy rates are changing
- You're taking out a new energy contract
Dynamic contract: price changes
This varies per energy supplier. With a dynamic contract, you pay a changing monthly amount that depends on your energy consumption and the dynamic prices of that month. With other energy suppliers, you pay a fixed amount that you can find in your annual statement at the end of the year.
Cancellation fee
Fixed contract: based on consumption
Switching energy suppliers before your fixed contract is over? You have to pay a cancellation fee. After your fixed energy contract, you receive an offer for a new fixed contract. If you don't accept, you automatically switch to a variable contract.
Variable contract: based on consumption
With a variable energy contract, you often have a 1-month cancellation period. You don't have to pay a cancellation fee for this.
Dynamic contract: price changes
With most suppliers, you can always cancel a dynamic energy contract. You don't have to pay a cancellation fee.
Which energy contract suits me?
Which energy contract suits you, depends on your home situation, your consumption, and your personal wishes. Take a look at your consumption, for example. Does it change often? A variable or dynamic contract suits you better. Do you prefer certainty? A fixed energy contract offers you the certainty you pay the same monthly amount for a longer period.
