What Is a Standing Charge on Your Energy Bills? A Full Guide
When you check your energy bill, you’ll notice a small daily cost called a standing charge, even if you haven’t used much gas or electricity. It may look minor on paper, but over time, it adds up and affects your total annual energy bill, especially as energy prices continue to rise.
To manage your energy expenses wisely, it’s important to understand what this charge covers, how much you’re currently paying, and what reforms could change it in the coming years. This article explains exactly what you need to know about standing charges on your bills.
What Is a Standing Charge?
A standing charge is the fixed daily fee you pay to stay connected to gas and electricity. It’s on your bill every day, even if you don’t use a single unit of energy.
The money helps cover the cost of keeping the network running, things like meter maintenance, emergency support, and customer service. It also includes contributions to certain government schemes that support energy access and green projects.
In the UK, this charge is limited by Ofgem’s price cap, which sets the highest amount suppliers can charge for both your daily standing charge and the unit rate of energy. Suppliers can choose to charge less, and the exact amount depends on your region and how you pay your bill.
Key points to know
You’re charged per meter, per day, one fee for gas and another for electricity.
The charge covers network upkeep, meter services, and policy schemes.
Ofgem reviews and adjusts the limits every three months under the energy price cap to ensure fairness across suppliers.
How Much Are Standing Charges in the UK Today?
Let’s look at what you’re actually paying right now. As of October to December 2025, these are the average energy standing charges under Ofgem’s energy price cap. The prices include 5%VAT and cover England, Scotland, and Wales, though your exact rate depends on your region and how you pay.
Current Averages (Oct–Dec 2025)
On a typical standard tariff:
Standing charge for electricity (Direct Debit): 53.68 pence per day
Standing charge for gas (Direct Debit): 34.03 pence per day
These charges apply every day, even when you don’t use energy.
By Payment Type
Payment Type | Electricity Standing Charge | Gas Standing Charge | Annual Electricity | Annual Gas |
Direct Debit | 53.68p/day | 34.03p/day | ~£196/year | ~£124/year |
Prepayment Meter | 53.68p/day | 34.04p/day | ~£196/year | ~£124/year |
Standard Credit (pay on bill) | 61.82p/day | 41.76p/day | ~£226/year | ~£152/year |
How Standing Charges Have Changed in 2025
Standing charges haven’t stayed still this year. Here’s how the daily averages have shifted quarter by quarter for customers paying by Direct Debit:
2025 Period | Electricity | Gas |
Jan–Mar 2025 | 60.97p/day | 31.65p/day |
Apr–Jun 2025 | 53.80p/day | 32.67p/day |
Jul–Sep 2025 | 51.37p/day | 29.82p/day |
Oct–Dec 2025 | 53.68p/day | 34.03p/day |
Electricity charges dipped in spring and summer before rising slightly again this autumn. Gas charges, meanwhile, have climbed back up after a quieter mid-year period, mostly due to changes in network costs and standing charge adjustments under Ofgem’s quarterly review.
Regional Examples (Electricity, Single Rate)
Your postcode matters too. Here’s a snapshot of October–December 2025 standing charge for electricity across a few regions:
Region | Direct Debit | Standard Credit | Prepayment |
North West | 51.16p/day | 59.03p/day | 51.16p/day |
Northern | 59.86p/day | 68.32p/day | 59.86p/day |
London | 46.06p/day | ~54p/day | 46.06p/day |
North Wales & Mersey | 69.95p/day | ~73p/day | 69.95p/day |
London remains one of the cheaper regions, while parts of North Wales and northern Scotland sit at the higher end. These gaps mostly reflect differences in local network costs, which Ofgem includes when setting the cap.
You can look up your exact regional rate on Ofgem’s tables for Oct–Dec 2025 (Direct Debit, standard credit, or prepayment).
Why Many Consumers Feel It’s Unfair
A lot of people feel uneasy about standing charges, and it’s easy to see why. This setup often penalises low-use or low-income homes the most.
Whether you’re living alone, away from home for long periods, or actively reducing your consumption, you still pay the same daily fee as someone using far more electricity or gas. That can feel frustrating, especially when your efforts to save energy don’t reduce that portion of your bill.
Another common criticism is that standing charges have increased over the years while overall energy use has fallen. Consumers see it as paying for access rather than usage, which contradicts the idea of being rewarded for energy efficiency. For households struggling with energy bills or living in small properties, this daily fee can make budgeting harder.
Many people say it’s hard to understand what the charge covers or how it’s set, which makes it feel arbitrary and unfair. Ofgem has received tens of thousands of complaints about the standing charge in recent consultations, and it’s now reviewing how it could work better for everyone.
Can You Avoid or Reduce the Standing Charge?
There’s no easy way to completely avoid the standing charge while you stay connected to the energy network. But you can make choices that reduce how much it costs you overall or make it work better for your situation.
Here are some practical things you can do:
1. Look for tariffs with a lower (or zero) standing charge
Some suppliers already offer plans with smaller or even no standing charges. These often come with a higher unit rate per kWh, so they suit low-use households best. Ofgem plans to make this easier. By January 2026, every major supplier must offer at least one lower-standing-charge tariff in every region.
2. Disconnect a fuel you don’t use
If you’ve stopped using gas altogether, you can ask your supplier about a permanent disconnection. Once the gas meter is removed and the line capped, the daily charge stops. Just note there may be fees for the work, and reconnecting later can cost more.
3. If your home is empty or used rarely
Standing charges still apply if your property stays connected, even when no energy is used. For prepayment meters, keep a small top-up to stop debt building from unpaid daily fees.
4. Understand your payment method
Since April 2024, Ofgem has equalised standing charges for prepayment and direct debit customers. That means switching payment type won’t cut the charge, though standard credit customers still pay a bit more.
5. Make use of support schemes
If you’re struggling, look into help such as the Warm Home Discount or your supplier’s hardship funds. They won’t remove the standing charge, but they can ease the pressure on your overall bill.
6. Look long term: solar and home batteries
If you want to cut energy costs for good, it’s worth thinking beyond tariff changes. A solar energy setup with a home battery can store the energy you make during the day and power your home later, lowering your unit costs and easing the impact of the standing charge.
The EcoFlow STREAM series solar plant pairs STREAM smart batteries with solar panels that can sit on a balcony, rooftop, garden frame, or façade. You can tailor the setup to match your space.
Already have solar panels and a microinverter?
The EcoFlow STREAM AC Pro/AC add battery storage to your setup with easy AC coupling, no rewiring needed. Each unit stores 1.92 kWh, and you can link up to six for 11.52 kWh total capacity.
STREAM AC Pro output: 1,200W (800W grid-tied)
STREAM AC output: 800W
The AC Pro also supports off-grid solar system use, automatically switching to battery power during an outage to keep your essentials running (fridge, router, TV, fans, or dehumidifier).
EcoFlow STREAM AC Pro/AC
Need larger capacity from the start?
Go with the EcoFlow STREAM Ultra X + 2 x 450W Rigid Solar Panel bundle. Like the Ultra, the Ultra X also integrates a microinverter, charge controller, and a battery in one, so setting up is “plug and play.”
But as a step up, the Ultra X offers a bigger starting capacity of 3.84 kWh, expandable to 23 kWh. It takes up to 2,000W of solar input and delivers 1,200W AC output (or 2,300W in Parallel mode). You can pair it with two 450W panels (around 900Wp total) to recharge fully during the day and power your home through the evening.
EcoFlow STREAM Ultra X + 2 x 450W Rigid Solar Panel
All STREAM units connect to the EcoFlow app, which uses AI energy management and Solcast solar forecasts. The system studies time-of-use (TOU) electricity prices from suppliers like Octopus, charging when prices are low and discharging when rates rise, cutting costs automatically. It also tracks weather patterns to predict solar generation, helping you plan your energy use with minimal effort.
What Reforms Are Coming? What You Should Know
There’s been a lot of public pressure to change how standing charges work. Ofgem has responded with several key steps.
1. More choice, not one-size-fits-all
From January 2026, energy suppliers will need to offer at least one tariff in each region with a lower standing charge. The idea is to give you a real choice between paying a fixed daily fee or shifting more of that cost into your usage rate.
2. Testing “zero standing charge” models
Ofgem looked at a full zero-standing-charge cap earlier in 2025 but decided to focus first on flexibility. Trials and consumer research are under way to test whether totally scrapping the fee could work without raising costs too sharply for others.
3. Why it’s tricky to remove the charge altogether
Running the network, maintaining meters, and funding social or environmental schemes all carry fixed costs. If those are built entirely into the unit rate, heavier users, including some vulnerable households, could end up paying much more. So, the current push is toward choice and balance, not complete removal.
4. Consumer advocates’ view
Groups like Citizens Advice and MoneySavingExpert welcome more flexibility but warn that regional gaps and complex tariffs might leave some people behind. They’ve called for simpler comparisons and clearer billing to help consumers make informed decisions.
Conclusion
Standing charges aren’t going away, but they are changing. These daily fees keep the energy network running, yet they often feel unfair, especially for households using less power or gas. The key is understanding what a standing charge covers and how it affects your bill. With new low-standing-charge tariffs due by 2026, you’ll soon have more choice in how you pay. Take time to compare your options, check your usage, and pick the tariff that fits your lifestyle, so you’re not paying more than you need to for simply staying connected.
FAQs
What is a standing charge?
A standing charge is a small daily fee that keeps your energy supply connected. You pay it every day your home has an active connection, even if you don’t use any electricity or gas. This fee helps cover the cost of maintaining the pipes, wires, meters, and billing systems that make energy available to you, along with certain government schemes.
Each supplier sets its own rate, which varies by region and payment method. Ofgem limits how much suppliers can charge under its price cap. From October to December 2025, the average electricity standing charge is 53.68p a day across Great Britain.
Can I avoid paying a standing charge?
In most cases, no. If your supply is active, the standing charge applies, even if you don’t use any energy. Some suppliers offer rare “zero standing charge” tariffs, mainly for prepayment customers. These usually come with higher unit prices, which can work out better only for households that use very little power. Ofgem plans to require suppliers to offer at least one low-standing-charge option from winter 2025/26, so more choice is coming soon. Before switching, always compare the full cost, daily charge plus unit rates, to find what really saves you money.
Who has the cheapest standing charge for electricity?
There’s no single supplier that always offers the cheapest standing charge for electricity in the UK. Standing charges differ by region, payment type, and tariff. Some companies, like EDF, now have “low standing charge” or tracker deals, while others, including Utilita and E, offer zero-standing-charge prepayment tariffs.
However, those tend to have higher prices for the first units you use. The right choice depends on how much electricity your household uses and when. The easiest way to find your best deal is to compare all available tariffs with your postcode and usage details to see which one gives you the lowest total annual cost.
What is the maximum daily standing charge for electricity?
Under the current Ofgem price-cap period (1 Oct–31 Dec 2025), electricity standing charges differ by region. The highest electricity daily standing charge on a default tariff paid by direct debit is 69.95p/day in the North Wales & Mersey region.
The Great Britain average is 53.68p/day for direct debit, while people who pay “on receipt of bill” face higher averages (61.82p/day). Your own cap depends on where you live and how you pay, and suppliers can set lower charges than the cap. Fixed or special tariffs can also differ, so check your exact region and tariff.