Standing Charge Calculator

What is a standing charge?

A standing charge is a fixed daily fee you pay to your energy supplier just to be connected to the gas and electricity networks — before you use a single kilowatt-hour. It covers the cost of maintaining the pipes and wires, taking meter readings, government social and environmental schemes, and the cost of suppliers that have gone bust. You pay it every single day of the year, even if you are away and use no energy at all.

Under the Ofgem energy price cap for 1 April to 30 June 2026, the typical standing charges (England, Scotland and Wales average, paying by Direct Debit, including 5% VAT) are 57.21p per day for electricity and 29.09p per day for gas — 86.30p a day, or around £315 a year, for a dual-fuel home. Standing charges vary by region depending on your distribution network, so check your own bill for the exact figure. This calculator is for households on a standard variable (default) tariff; fixed deals can differ.

How it works

• Enter your electricity and gas standing charges in pence per day (pre-filled with the latest Ofgem cap rates — copy yours from your bill if different).
• Choose whether you have dual fuel, electricity only or gas only.
• The calculator multiplies your daily charge by 365 to get the annual cost: Annual = (pence per day ÷ 100) × 365.
• It then shows the cost per day, month, quarter and year, and what share of your total annual bill the standing charge represents.

Worked example

Take a typical dual-fuel home on the April–June 2026 price cap:

• Electricity: 57.21p ÷ 100 × 365 = £208.82 a year
• Gas: 29.09p ÷ 100 × 365 = £106.18 a year
• Combined: 86.30p a day × 365 = £315.00 a year (about £26.25 a month)

Against the typical £1,641 annual price-cap bill, that £315.00 of standing charges is roughly 19.2% of the bill — money you owe before heating or lighting your home.

Frequently asked questions

Can I avoid paying the standing charge?

On most standard tariffs, no. Ofgem introduced a "zero standing charge" tariff option from 2025, but those deals usually charge a higher unit rate to recover the same fixed costs, so they only suit very low energy users. Always compare the total annual cost, not just the standing charge.

Why are standing charges different where I live?

The standing charge includes the cost of your local distribution network, which varies by region. Ofgem publishes the cap by region, so the daily charge in, say, the North West can differ from London or the South West. Enter your own figure from your bill for an exact result.

Do I pay the standing charge if my home is empty?

Yes. The standing charge applies every day your meter is connected, regardless of usage. If a property is genuinely unoccupied long-term you may be able to ask your supplier about a disconnection, but for most homes the daily charge is unavoidable.

Are these the same as my actual rates?

The pre-filled figures are the Ofgem price-cap averages for 1 April to 30 June 2026 on a standard variable tariff paid by Direct Debit. If you are on a fixed deal, prepayment meter, or in a different region, your standing charge may be higher or lower — overwrite the inputs with the figures from your latest bill.

Source: Ofgem — Energy price cap 1 April to 30 June 2026. Figures verified June 2026. Standing charges vary by region; this tool is for guidance only.

Related tools: Electricity Cost Calculator, Gas Bill Calculator, Energy Bill Calculator, Cost of Living Calculator and all UK calculators.