Annual Standing Charge Cost
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Standing Charge Calculator
Your standing charge is the fixed daily fee you pay whether you use energy or not. Enter your daily rate to see exactly how much it adds up to over a month, quarter and full year — and how much of your annual bill is fixed cost before you've used a single unit.
Tip! — Your standing charge is shown on your energy bill in pence per day (p/day). The Ofgem price cap rates for April–June 2026 are pre-filled, but enter your own from your bill for an exact figure.
| Calculate For | |
| Electricity Standing Charge (p/day) |
Cost Breakdown
| Period | Days | Cost |
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| Run calculation to see breakdown | ||
GUIDE
How to Read Your Energy Bill
A section-by-section walkthrough of a UK energy bill — including where to find your standing charge and what every line means.
Read Guide →How to Use the Standing Charge Calculator
Step-by-Step
- Select single or dual fuel — choose single if you only want to calculate one fuel type, or dual to add gas and electricity standing charges together.
- Enter your standing charge rate — find this on your energy bill in pence per day (p/day). Ofgem price cap averages for April–June 2026 are pre-filled.
- Click Calculate — see your standing charge cost broken down by month, quarter and year, plus the combined annual figure for dual fuel households.
What Is a Standing Charge?
A standing charge is a fixed daily fee added to your energy bill regardless of how much gas or electricity you actually use. Even if you use zero energy on a given day, the standing charge still applies. It covers the cost of maintaining the pipes, cables and meters that connect your home to the energy network, as well as some supplier operating costs and government scheme contributions.
Current Standing Charges (April–June 2026)
Under the Ofgem price cap from 1 April to 30 June 2026, the average standing charges for customers paying by Direct Debit are 57.21p per day for electricity and 29.09p per day for gas. Combined, a dual fuel household pays around £315 per year in standing charges before using a single unit of energy. Regional rates vary — check your bill for your exact figure.
Why Standing Charges Matter
Standing charges are often overlooked because they appear as a small daily pence figure on your bill. But they add up significantly over a year — especially for low-usage households where the fixed cost can represent a large proportion of the total bill. Understanding your standing charge alongside your unit rate gives you a complete picture of what you are actually paying. Use the Unit Cost Calculator to see your usage cost separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a standing charge?
A standing charge is a fixed daily fee on your energy bill that you pay regardless of whether you use any energy. It covers network maintenance, metering and some government scheme costs.
What is the current electricity standing charge?
Under the Ofgem price cap from 1 April to 30 June 2026, the average electricity standing charge is 57.21p per day for Direct Debit customers. Your actual rate may differ by region and supplier.
What is the current gas standing charge?
The average gas standing charge under the April–June 2026 price cap is 29.09p per day for Direct Debit customers. Check your bill for your exact regional rate.
Can I avoid paying a standing charge?
Not on a standard variable tariff. However some suppliers offer tariffs with zero or reduced standing charges in exchange for a higher unit rate. Whether this saves you money depends on your usage level — low users may benefit from a lower standing charge.
How much do standing charges add up to per year?
Based on April 2026 price cap rates, electricity standing charges cost around £209 per year and gas around £106 per year. Combined, a dual fuel household pays approximately £315 per year before using any energy.
Why has my standing charge changed?
Standing charges are reviewed quarterly as part of the Ofgem price cap. They can change in either direction depending on network costs, policy levies and supplier operating costs. The electricity standing charge increased in April 2026 due to higher network investment costs.