Lucrezia Ciotti With winter approaching, choosing the right gas and electricity rates can help families keep household expenses low. Heating increases gas consumption, while recent changes in electricity prices make it important to check your supplier's terms and conditions. According to analyses by Osservatorio Segugio.it, updated as of October 5, 2026, the best choice between the free market and protected services depends primarily on annual consumption and contract costs.
Gas and electricity bills: fixed or variable price, which one to choose to save money on?
Fixed-price offers allow you to keep your energy costs unchanged for the set period, protecting you from potential price increases. Variable rates , on the other hand, follow market trends and can be advantageous when prices drop, but can also expose you to new price increases.
To find the best solution, it's not enough to compare the cost per kWh or Smc: you also need to consider fixed fees and other economic conditions.
An important check concerns the offer expiration date , which is indicated on the bill and separate from the overall contract duration. In the event of price changes, the supplier must generally notify the customer in writing at least three months in advance.
This allows you to compare alternatives before renewing. Furthermore, starting October 1, 2026, the electricity reference price for vulnerable customers in the Greater Protection category increased by 37,3% compared to the previous quarter.
Gas and electricity bills: how much can you save by changing your tariff?
Segugio.it's simulations show that the most cost-effective option varies based on consumption . In Milan, for a family that also uses gas for heating and consumes 900 Smc per year, the estimated cost with vulnerability protection is €1.399,76, compared to €1.242,37 for the best fixed offer on the free market. The potential savings is therefore €157,39 per year. For those who consume only 220 Smc per year, however, the two solutions are almost equivalent: €400,67 and €402,36, respectively.
Energy consumption also impacts the results for electricity. With annual consumption of 1.200 kWh, the estimated cost is €471,03 with the Maggior Tutela plan and €473,25 with the best fixed rate. For consumption of 2.700 kWh, however, the free market is more affordable: €825,77 versus €896,13, a difference of 7,9%.
According to the Observatory, eight out of ten consumers could benefit from more advantageous conditions, with an estimated median saving of approximately €140 per year per supply. To check available alternatives, you can use the ARERA Offers Portal, comparing offers based on your consumption. The advice is to periodically evaluate your bill , without assuming that a fixed or variable price is always more convenient: the choice depends on family habits, additional costs, and market trends.
Gas and electricity bills: ways to save money
In terms of energy consumption, you can save by setting your heating to around 19°C , avoiding heating unused rooms, and scheduling it to turn on based on your home's hours. Regular boiler maintenance and venting radiators when necessary help keep your system efficient. As for electricity, it's best to use energy-efficient appliances , run washing machines and dishwashers with full loads, choose low-temperature programs, and turn off appliances left on standby unnecessarily. Replacing old light bulbs with LEDs can also reduce consumption. Finally, regularly monitoring your readings and comparing actual costs with the estimated bill allows you to identify any anomalies and take prompt action.