Standing Charges

oldnerd82

I am a low energy user. Why am I expected to pay over £250pa in Standing Charges, before I've even flicked a light switch?

At a time when everyone's bill is going through the roof how can the energy companies justify these extra fees, or are they just profiteering? and are there any tariffs available without standing charges, or with nil standing charges?

GingerTim

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6339555/mse-update-why-has-the-standing-charge-for-electricity-nearly-doubled#latest

You have to pay for the same infrastructure as everyone else, and we are all paying for the SOLR process.

And no - and don't expect low/zero standing charge tariffs for years. Utilita was the only one offering one recently, but shifted onto the first unit per day. They aren't now accepting switches.

DE_612183

There is a sticky at the top of the energy thread that explains all this - plus about 5-600 other threads that ask the same question.
MSE update: Why has the standing charge for electricity nearly doubled? — MoneySavingExpert Forum

To summarise - The S/c covers stuff other than usage, no they are not profiteering and yes you may be able to get tariffs without S/c but the usage rates will be high so you may not benefit.

pochase

And no, there are no tariffs without standing charges.

Zombie_government

Broadly speaking, standing charges seem to benefit higher energy users at the expense of lower energy users and people who own multiple properties.
Perhaps it is time to reform the billing system so that it benefits lower users, but also charges more for multiple property owners? No easy answers, but it's an interesting discussion.

pochase

Might be interesting the first time, but this is discussed at least three times every month.

GingerTim

Every week, I'd say!

pochase

Just a few of them

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6371589/standing-charges-stealth-tax/p1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6347113/the-new-price-cap-standing-charges/p1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6376361/the-standing-charge/p1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6363952/high-standing-charges-for-gas-and-electric/p1

oldnerd82

Thanks folks. I didn't appreciate that standing charges fund the SOLR process

oldnerd82

Thanks folks. I didn't appreciate that standing charges fund the SOLR process

Mstty

oldnerd82 said:

Thanks folks. I didn't appreciate that standing charges fund the SOLR process

Of which I thank you for saving my £33 credit from Symbio👍