Gas and Electric Standing Charges & Tariffs Explained
After checking your energy bill, you may be wondering what a standing charge is.
A standing charge is applied to most energy bills for both domestic energy and business energy. Energy suppliers add a daily standing charge to cover the cost of supplying gas and electricity to your property and business premises.
Energy suppliers will set their own electricity and gas standing charge based on a number of commercial decisions. Your daily standing charge includes upkeep/ maintenance of the supply network, meter reading visits and any government support schemes.
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Could Homeowners Save Money With a No Standing Charge Tariff?
The main benefit of a no standing charge is that you will only pay for the energy you use.
This can be ideal for anyone who owns a property they will not be using year-round, such as a holiday home. When you are not using the property, you will have little to no energy costs to pay.
However, choosing a no standing charge tariff will often mean you have to pay higher energy unit rates for the gas and electricity you use.
Whether you can save money on your energy bills with a no standing charge tariff will depend on your individual circumstances.
Although high energy users would be unlikely to see savings, if your energy use over the year is relatively small, you could find savings with a no standing charge tariff.
What Is the Cost of Home Energy Standing Charges?
Each energy supplier charges a different amount depending on a variety of factors including the tariff you select. Some energy suppliers offer no-standing charge tariffs.
Here are the average standing charges for gas and electricity:
- Electricity standing charge ranges from 5p to 60p per day
- Gas standing charge ranges from 10p to 80p per day.
Can I Switch to a Prepayment No Standing Charge Tariff?
If your home uses a prepayment meter, you can still switch to a no standing charge tariff.
The pros and cons of a no standing charge tariff for customers who pre-pay for energy are much the same as any other tariff. You may face a higher unit rate and you should compare the full cost of your tariffs to find out how much you can save by switching.
How to Switch to a No Standing Charge Tariff With Love Energy Savings
At Love Energy Savings, we work with a wide range of suppliers to bring you the best possible choice when it comes to finding the right gas and electricity deal for you.
With our innovative energy comparison engine, you can even compare our best no standing charge tariffs. Our dedicated account managers will then handle the entire switching process on your behalf.
Try our free comparison tool below to find out how much you could save by switching to a no standing charge today.
How to Switch
No Standing Charge Tariff FAQs
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Where on my energy bill can I find the standing charge?
You can usually find your standing charge marked as units of daily usage on your bill.
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What are the disadvantages of no standing charge tariffs?
The main disadvantage of tariffs with no standing charge is the higher unit costs. These expensive rates can cause your energy bills to rise if you use a significant amount of energy. Fixed-rate tariffs that include a standing charge tend to offer cheaper and more competitive unit rates.
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Which suppliers offer no standing charge tariffs?
Most energy suppliers will offer a no standing charge option to their customers. With Love Energy Savings, you can compare our huge range of trusted energy suppliers in a matter of seconds.
To compare the latest no standing charge tariffs, simply complete our quick online energy comparison tool.