Know your bill
The two numbers that tell you what you’re paying.
A practical guide to unit rates, standing charges and a comparable annual cost.
A unit rate is the price for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) you use. A standing charge is a daily charge, usually payable even when you use no energy. Compare both when looking at tariffs.
For an unchanged single-rate tariff, multiply annual usage by the unit rate, then add 365 days of standing charges. If the rates are in pence, divide the result by 100 to get pounds. For example, 2,000 kWh at an illustrative 25p per kWh plus 50p per day totals £682.50 for a 365-day year. This is a worked example, not a current offer.
The price cap limits the rates a supplier can charge for covered default tariffs. It does not cap the total you spend: a household using more energy pays more. Your payment method, region and meter arrangement also matter when selecting a benchmark.
Our household cards show regional Direct Debit, single-rate benchmarks. If you have an Economy 7 or another multi-rate tariff, work out each usage period separately. Fixed-term deals can differ from the default-tariff benchmark.
The calculator assumes the rates stay unchanged for a full year. Recalculate when your tariff changes and check whether VAT, fees or discounts are already included in the figures you enter.
Sources
Prepared with AI assistance for UtilityPrices. Published 10 October 2026. Sources and editorial methodology are available below.