Gas and Electric Standing Charges & Tariffs Explained 

How much is the average standing charge for electricity & gas? 

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. 

What no standing charge tariffs are available? 

Some energy suppliers offer energy tariffs with no standing charge. However, these are only advisable in certain circumstances as these types of tariffs will have higher unit rates. 

A tariff without standing charges is often most suited to customers with low energy usage or those who use energy infrequently.

For example, if you run a seasonal business or one which is only open a few days a week, a no standing charge tariff could reduce your bills. When you business is closed and you don't use energy, you won't face any bills.

If you're a domestic customer who owns a holiday home, a no standing charge tariff could be ideal. As you will only be charged for the energy you use, you can save money when the property is not in use.

What are the benefits of a no standing charge tariff?

There are several benefits of no standing charge tariffs. These include:

• No daily charges ­– you only pay for the energy you use
• Unit rates can be reduced once you use a certain amount of energy

Due to these advantages, a no standing charge tariff is typically best suited to properties that aren’t in frequent use. For instance, a home that is only occupied for a few months a year could benefit from a no standing charge tariff and will only be charged for the energy used when someone is present in the property.

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 do 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.

Should businesses switch to no standing charge tariffs?

As with all energy tariff options, no standing charge business energy deals have their advantages and disadvantages.

Only paying for the energy you use can be particularly useful for seasonal businesses who may not operate at all for periods of the year. With a no standing charge tariff, you won’t be facing energy costs whilst the business isn’t operating.

Businesses which only open for a few days a week may also benefit from a no standing charge tariff.

However, as with domestic users, businesses will likely pay higher energy unit rates for the business gas and business electricity used. For high energy users, this comes mean an increase in your overall energy costs.

At Love Energy Savings, we have a team of business energy experts who can provide advice on choosing the right tariff when comparing business energy suppliers.

By switching your business energy with us, you will have a dedicated account manager to support you throughout the switching process.

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 to find out how much you could save by switching to a no standing charge today.

We compare prices from the UK's best energy providers. See how much you can save today!