No Standing Charge/Zero Standing Charge Tariff

MattMattMattUK

Coppout said:

Hi - not so much about zero rate charge but whether there should be one at all. I currently have gas and electricity supplied but my only gas use is the kitchen hob. That has therefore generated very small usage charges but the full standing charge. We are getting a new kitchen and thinking I was being clever, opted for an electric (induction) hob. I asked my supplier what and when they needed to know so as to lose the SC for Gas. They replied that the SC is for the gas meter and even if I didn't use any I'd still be charged! I replied asking what if I changed supplier and only asked for electricity - would they try and charge me for a Gas standing charge? As yet - no response. Any thoughts please?

They will not stop charging you the standing charge whilst you have the meter, but you just ask for the supply to be capped and then either pay for the meter to be removed, or wait six months and they will usually remove the meter FOC. How do you currently heat your home?

lulu999

As they've stated, if you've a live gas meter, you're subject to a standing charge.

You've a couple of choices.

1. Change to a provider with no standing charge. At the moment I believe Utilita is the only one available. You may have to insist to getting them to take you on!

2. Get the gas supply capped off. They'll probably leave the meter in situ and put a lock on the isolator.(I had this done when I first had gas installed in my house. I hadn't installed a gas boiler or central heating and wasn't charged anything until I got them back out to uncap the supply when a boiler/etc had been installed and I was ready to use gas.)

[Deleted User]

Coppout said:

Hi - not so much about zero rate charge but whether there should be one at all. I currently have gas and electricity supplied but my only gas use is the kitchen hob. That has therefore generated very small usage charges but the full standing charge. We are getting a new kitchen and thinking I was being clever, opted for an electric (induction) hob. I asked my supplier what and when they needed to know so as to lose the SC for Gas. They replied that the SC is for the gas meter and even if I didn't use any I'd still be charged! I replied asking what if I changed supplier and only asked for electricity - would they try and charge me for a Gas standing charge? As yet - no response. Any thoughts please?

You will still be charged by the old supplier for your gas supply.

Coppout

MattMattMattUK said:

Coppout said:

Hi - not so much about zero rate charge but whether there should be one at all. I currently have gas and electricity supplied but my only gas use is the kitchen hob. That has therefore generated very small usage charges but the full standing charge. We are getting a new kitchen and thinking I was being clever, opted for an electric (induction) hob. I asked my supplier what and when they needed to know so as to lose the SC for Gas. They replied that the SC is for the gas meter and even if I didn't use any I'd still be charged! I replied asking what if I changed supplier and only asked for electricity - would they try and charge me for a Gas standing charge? As yet - no response. Any thoughts please?

They will not stop charging you the standing charge whilst you have the meter, but you just ask for the supply to be capped and then either pay for the meter to be removed, or wait six months and they will usually remove the meter FOC. How do you currently heat your home?

Electricity (Air source heat pump)

Coppout

Coppout said:

MattMattMattUK said:

Coppout said:

Hi - not so much about zero rate charge but whether there should be one at all. I currently have gas and electricity supplied but my only gas use is the kitchen hob. That has therefore generated very small usage charges but the full standing charge. We are getting a new kitchen and thinking I was being clever, opted for an electric (induction) hob. I asked my supplier what and when they needed to know so as to lose the SC for Gas. They replied that the SC is for the gas meter and even if I didn't use any I'd still be charged! I replied asking what if I changed supplier and only asked for electricity - would they try and charge me for a Gas standing charge? As yet - no response. Any thoughts please?

They will not stop charging you the standing charge whilst you have the meter, but you just ask for the supply to be capped and then either pay for the meter to be removed, or wait six months and they will usually remove the meter FOC. How do you currently heat your home?

Electricity (Air source heat pump)

Sorry - with u/floor heating

Ectophile

Coppout said:

I replied asking what if I changed supplier and only asked for electricity - would they try and charge me for a Gas standing charge? As yet - no response. Any thoughts please?

Then the new supplier would take over your electricity supply.  You would still be with your old supplier for gas.  The only way to stop the standing charges is to have the supply disconnected.

Coppout

Just to advise what has happened in case it helps anyone.

Having challenged their original response saying I would still have to pay the standing charge, I received a further reply from someone else at the supplier advising that once the meter was capped (or removed) then they would cease the charge. That's now been done and they have confirmed  I will be paying electricity only from today.

Thanks to those who responded to my post