Standing charges whilst gas and electricity switched off?

Marty771111111111111111111

I have looked through the forum but I can only see a post from 2015 and wondered if anything had changed?

I will be leaving my property for months at a time, switching all utilities off from fuse box and gas unit. I am being told that the standing charge will still be implicated.
I was "chosen" to go with EDF after Green Networks went bust, I am on "deemed" tariff which is the a standard tariff with a different name.

I read on the forum post from 2015 that if you were on a standard tariff then you didn't have to pay, yet EDF say I am still liable?

Any help appreciated, thanks.

MultiFuelBurner

You do have to pay the standing charge unless you have your gas and electricity disconnected whilst away then reconnected when you return.

At massive cost

Utilita offer a zero standing charge but load it up on the first few units used but could be worth it for you 

400ixl

Where did your read that anyone on the standard tariff does not have to pay the standing charge?

If the meter is present at the property then the standing charge applies.

There used to be and may still be a tariff which does not have a standing charge and it is built into the unit rate, but if they exist they are rare. This would likely be your only way to avoid the standing charge at the moment.

EDF were your supplier of last resort when Green Networks failed. There is nothing to stop you moving elsewhere if there is a provider which suits you better.

Robin9

Have you spoken to your Insurers? They may require min heating to prevent frozen pipes.

la531983

400ixl said:

There used to be and may still be a tariff which does not have a standing charge and it is built into the unit rate, but if they exist they are rare. This would likely be your only way to avoid the standing charge at the moment.

Utilita offer one, I believe

bagand96

The standing charge is for your property to be connected to the grid/network and is payable whether you use energy or not.

I believe there is something in the legislation around Gas supplies that says if you become responsible for a property (ie move in) and do not use any Gas then it cannot be deemed you have taken a supply so standing charges cannot be levied.  I might not have that all correct, sure someone will be able to correct if I'm wrong.  Might that be what you read?  It wouldn't apply to your circumstances anyway.

CliveOfIndia

As per previous comments, you'll always have to pay a standing charge whether or not you actually use any gas/electricity (unless the supplier actually disconnects you, which is not really practical if it's only temporarily).

Some suppliers do offer different tariffs which broadly give you the option of low standing charge and higher unit rate, or high standing charge but lower unit rate.  The latter is usually a good bet for people who use a lot, the former might save you some money.  It might be worth seeing if you can find a supplier who gives you this option.

Reed_Richards

Way back on this forum I remember reading a post from someone who reported that their supplier did not impose a standing charge on them for zero use.  But I cannot remember who that supplier was.  And it might have been a special concession, not something offered to all customers. 

QrizB

Reed_Richards said:

Way back on this forum I remember reading a post from someone who reported that their supplier did not impose a standing charge on them for zero use.  But I cannot remember who that supplier was.  And it might have been a special concession, not something offered to all customers. 

HertsLad gets a refund of his standing charge if he uses no energy for a full year, which might be what you're thinking of?

Scot_39

According to MSE article linked from top post hee on SC - Utilita does the only SC free tariff.

https://blog.moneysavingexpert.com/2023/07/martin-lewis--why-are-energy-standing-charges-so-high--what-can-/?_ga=2.125279050.117282569.1708473133-570551185.1708473133#tariff

They recover from kWh rates - first 2 per day are higher priced inc SC effectively and then drops to a more standard rate.

But it's not an Ofgem capped deal and the only quote I remember reading here worked out more expensive for days when use the 2kW or more.

But if genuinely empty for months with zero or low use - you might want to look into it - get a quote and churn the numbers for your expected use.

wrf12345

If the house is always going to be empty in the winter then getting rid of the gas meter might be an option, though it might devalue the property if you ever want to sell (in a decade probably ok as heat pumps will rule).