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A simple explanation of standing charges on your energy bill, what they cover, and why you pay them.
A standing charge is a fixed daily fee that appears on your energy bill. It's separate from the amount you pay for the gas and electricity you actually use.
The standing charge covers the cost of:
Think of it like a subscription fee—you pay it every day, regardless of how much energy you use.
Standing charges vary by supplier and region, but they're typically between 20p and 60p per day for electricity, and 20p to 40p per day for gas.
You'll see it on your bill as a daily rate, which is then multiplied by the number of days in your billing period.
Even if you use no energy at all, you're still connected to the network. The standing charge ensures that the costs of maintaining that connection are covered, regardless of your usage.
Some suppliers offer tariffs with no standing charge, but these usually have higher unit rates for the energy you use. This can work out better if you use very little energy, but for most households, a tariff with a standing charge is more cost-effective.
Energy & Utilities Writer
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