Martin Lewis: Why are energy standing charges so high? What can be done

GingerTim

Chris_b2z said:

The size of property is irrelevant.

The fact is that French consumers are given a choice and 70% of them are choosing the cheaper standing charge option even if it means having to limit the simultaneous usage of high power appliances. Those that find it too inconvenient can subscribe to a higher kVA rating and pay higher standing charge. It's the same choice we make when selecting broadband speed.

One argument given against reducing standing charges in UK is that it would require an increase in usage rate which would affect some vulnerable users. Does anyone have links showing that the French system of tiered standing charges having an adverse affect on vulnerable users?

Out of interest, which of the options on the French rate card would you choose if it was available here?

Chris_b2z

MattMattMattUK said:

Low users are usually those with solar, batteries and heat pumps, average users are usually families and higher users are usually elderly and the disabled.

Are there any published statistics that support your assumption?

Chris_b2z

GingerTim said:

Chris_b2z said:

The size of property is irrelevant.

The fact is that French consumers are given a choice and 70% of them are choosing the cheaper standing charge option even if it means having to limit the simultaneous usage of high power appliances. Those that find it too inconvenient can subscribe to a higher kVA rating and pay higher standing charge. It's the same choice we make when selecting broadband speed.

One argument given against reducing standing charges in UK is that it would require an increase in usage rate which would affect some vulnerable users. Does anyone have links showing that the French system of tiered standing charges having an adverse affect on vulnerable users?

Out of interest, which of the options on the French rate card would you choose if it was available here?

I live in a household with gas heating and no solar, batteries or heat pumps. The 6kVA option would probably be a sensible starting point for me. How about you?

MikeJXE

Chris_b2z said:

GingerTim said:

Chris_b2z said:

The size of property is irrelevant.

The fact is that French consumers are given a choice and 70% of them are choosing the cheaper standing charge option even if it means having to limit the simultaneous usage of high power appliances. Those that find it too inconvenient can subscribe to a higher kVA rating and pay higher standing charge. It's the same choice we make when selecting broadband speed.

One argument given against reducing standing charges in UK is that it would require an increase in usage rate which would affect some vulnerable users. Does anyone have links showing that the French system of tiered standing charges having an adverse affect on vulnerable users?

Out of interest, which of the options on the French rate card would you choose if it was available here?

I live in a household with gas heating and no solar, batteries or heat pumps. The 6kVA option would probably be a sensible starting point for me. How about you?

I live in a similar household, 1 bed flat energy rating B. gas heating no solar, batteries or heat pump. 

I rarely use the electric oven, maybe a couple of times a month, gas hob rarely used, my coffee intake has reduced from a dozen cups a day to two as water is more healthy my niece nurse tells me. 

I don't watch TV, I only use 1 led low energy bulb when it's dark, street light outside. 

I don't have a freezer only a fridge, washing is a couple of loads a month, microwave a few minutes a week. 

I do use (a lot) charger for iPad and iPhone.

My last full year usage was 587kWh, this is not through hardship, I live alone and do as I please, the heating goes on when temp indoors is below 19 or I don't feel warm. 

I have everything I need and nothing I don't. 

I have no idea if 6kVA would suffice but hoping someone might tell me

Chris_b2z

MikeJXE said:

I live in a similar household, 1 bed flat energy rating B. gas heating no solar, batteries or heat pump. 

I rarely use the electric oven, maybe a couple of times a month, gas hob rarely used, my coffee intake has reduced from a dozen cups a day to two as water is more healthy my niece nurse tells me. 

I don't watch TV, I only use 1 led low energy bulb when it's dark, street light outside. 

I don't have a freezer only a fridge, washing is a couple of loads a month, microwave a few minutes a week. 

I do use (a lot) charger for iPad and iPhone.

My last full year usage was 587kWh, this is not through hardship, I live alone and do as I please, the heating goes on when temp indoors is below 19 or I don't feel warm. 

I have everything I need and nothing I don't. 

I have no idea if 6kVA would suffice but hoping someone might tell me

Based on that usage pattern I would say you may be one of the households that could even operate with a supply limited to just 3kVA.
I'm sure you're not alone. Ofgem has not taken genuine low energy users into consideration when setting the standing charge rate cap. I hope you managed to switch to British Gas Fixed Lighter 12M tariff while it was available.

molerat

An interesting piece

https://www.medwayadvice.org.uk/news/why-standing-charges-are-fairer-you-might-think

MikeJXE

molerat said:

An interesting piece

https://www.medwayadvice.org.uk/news/why-standing-charges-are-fairer-you-might-think

But don't believe all you read 

 A clip from that piece 

"Standing charges are increasing to ensure a fairer transition to net zero

Standing charges for electricity have doubled since 2021, from £86 to £186 a year (for a typical household paying by direct debit),"

How can that be true, ?

I'm not a typical household and there are the same days in a year for me as everyone else 

BarelySentientAI

Chris_b2z said:

BarelySentientAI said:

Do you think the people who already say they won't do ToU tariffs because "nobody can tell me when to use electricity" would be happy if they couldn't use the oven & kettle at the same time unless they turned the lights and tv off?

I'm pretty sure the French would not tolerate a system where the owner of a lavish chateau pays the same exorbitant standing charge as someone in a tiny bedsit.

Sorry, confused what that has to do with the reaction of the British public to this system?

BarelySentientAI

Chris_b2z said:

MattMattMattUK said:

Low users are usually those with solar, batteries and heat pumps, average users are usually families and higher users are usually elderly and the disabled.

Are there any published statistics that support your assumption?

That issue is directly considered in the ofgem consultation on standing charges - don't have a link on my phone but is public and searchable

bristolleedsfan

MikeJXE said:

molerat said:

An interesting piece

https://www.medwayadvice.org.uk/news/why-standing-charges-are-fairer-you-might-think

But don't believe all you read 

 A clip from that piece 

"Standing charges are increasing to ensure a fairer transition to net zero

Standing charges for electricity have doubled since 2021, from £86 to £186 a year (for a typical household paying by direct debit),"

How can that be true, ?

I'm not a typical household and there are the same days in a year for me as everyone else 

Amount quoted is possibly average standing charge across all regions.