British Gas has launched a fixed tariff that's lower than the current energy price cap and the cheapest of the big six suppliers, but the offer will close at midnight on 17 April.

A typical household that pays by direct debit can expect to pay £1,610 annually on the deal, putting it £31 below April's price cap of £1,641.

It's also over £250 below current predictions for the upcoming July cap, which independent energy analyst, Cornwall Insight, expects to sit at £1,861.

The deal is only available through the price comparison website Compare the Market – and it's only running until midnight on 17 April. It's available to new and existing British Gas customers, for single and dual fuel, and has exit fees of £50 per fuel.

Keep in mind that neither the price cap nor a fixed tariff limits your total bill. Instead, they lock in the maximum amount that a supplier can charge for the unit cost of energy. If you use more or less than a typical household, your annual bill will be different.

Tom Lyon, energy expert at Compare the Market, said: 'When comparing deals, it's helpful to look beyond the headline price and check the full details of the tariff, including standing charges, contract length and whether the plan suits your meter type and usage patterns.'

The outlook for fixed energy tariffs has improved since the Middle East conflict first started at the end of February.

According to the comparison website Uswitch, the number of fixed tariffs plummeted to 15 during the initial shock following the beginning of the conflict.

Its data more recently revealed that there were 28 fixed tariffs available, with deals coming down in price and offering savings against the current price cap.

Fixing your tariff now can protect you against future price volatility, giving you certainty over your monthly costs and helping you budget.

Smaller suppliers have regularly featured at the top of the list of the best energy deals, and we've seen Outfox Energy and Fuse Energy offer fixes below April's price cap.

However, some customers may prefer a well-known name when choosing their supplier.

Tom Lyons, Compare the Market's expert, said: 'Choosing a smaller energy provider isn't necessarily riskier, but it can be sensible to consider factors such as a company's financial stability, customer service record and tariff terms before making a decision.

'All licensed suppliers must meet Ofgem's regulatory standards, and if a provider were to exit the market your energy supply would continue while a new supplier is appointed.'