Standing charge April 2026 electricity

kb1956

Am I right in assuming that the standing charge for electricity is INCREASING but the charge for gas is decreasing?

Scot_39

On average yes. In some regions no the electric SC is droppingin some

Check your own region here.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/get-energy-price-cap-standing-charges-and-unit-rates-region

kb1956

Thank you so much I am in the North West so it looks like mine is coming down. A relief as I live in an all electric building so your reply is very helpful 👍

tfhnota

The Ofgem guy on the Martin Lewis Show said he understands why people were angry about the s/c but didn't mention that Ofgem had just put the s/c up for most consumers! Not sure if he was the top guy, possibly on a quarter of a million quid a year, most likely paid out of the s/c. The new low s/c tariff is a trial because "consumer feedback" told him they might be worse off, limited to 150k consumers and lasting a year - but he did not mention that no one will be forced on to the tariff so no-one will be worse off, absolutely taking the ….. he did clarify that the low s/c tariff will be a minimum reduction of £150 (the same amount that the govn took off the unit rate until Ofgem loaded it up with some more expenses).

IOWJJBTM2025

Hello - to be clear the North West Direct Debit Electricity standing charges for the Energy Price cap will go down on 1st April from 52.22p per day to 47.63p per day. In addition the Unit rate will also decease from 28.45p per kWh to 24.7p per kWh.

This assumes you are on the standard variable price cap tariff?

Have you considered trying the MSE Cheap Energy Club. You may be able to get a better deal?

If you get a better deal you will also get the government discount - the amount will depend on which supplier you select.

kb1956

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81899439#Comment_81899439

Hi IOW thanks very much for clarifying this makes a nice change for prices to go down. I'm currently on payg svr as I have just moved into a new property which has a key meter and waiting for a credit smart meter to be installed. I'm also waiting for new storage heaters to be installed via a government grant (I currently have no heating) so when that happens I will have to move to economy 7. Unfortunately my flat is in an electric only building so no choice about the type of heating. I'm already a member of the cheap energy club so will definitely be checking it out once heating and smart credit meter are installed.

Scot_39

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81899475#Comment_81899475

If you get a smart meter that communicates well - and your new NSH have restricted supplies - you might want to think about Snug Octopus.

If not - single wired and self timed - TOU might suit better than E7 as well.

Post nearer the time in place - for current tarrif options to suit your meter / wiring / heater - that could be better than e7.

kb1956

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81899545#Comment_81899545

Thanks very much although I have never had nsh before (always had gch until now) I'm not that keen on them but the grant only allows nsh. Excuse my ignorance but what is TOU?

Netexporter

TOU = Time of Use. Tariffs like Economy 7 that are priced at varying rates over the day.

Scot_39

TOU - time of use - I use for any modern - often more flexible smart meter dependent variants of the old E7 or E10 style - with 2 rates (or old RTS meters with 3 rates) for electric homes.

I know one poster from another forum - who runs their NSH on Octopus Cosy - which has off peak standard but also a 3 hr peak to avoid use.

Other suppliers do their own TOU too - EOn Next Smart Saver, EDF Freephase etc - they all need a little thought - best saved until know your metering and heater types.

Modern Lot 20 NSH - which they have to be in the UK if fitted new - are often a massive step forward in terms of control / programmability - so user efficiency.

Their not as cheap as gas to run in general - but on the right tariff - can sometimes get close (Snug is c9p off peak currently - much better than many E7 c15p off peak - or paying SVT c26p single rate for electric heating) - if need heat for many hours a day (retired, WFH etc).

So dont be put off by some comments from people who had the old ones (I still do - but I need to stay on top of them in periods like now - a hassle many do not bother with - and so can often cost more than necessary to run - where the daytime temps are swinging several degrees across a few days).

I read one poster recently who even said prefers his new smart programmable NSH to his old GCH - despite a higher running cost.