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Rates & sources1 Jul – 30 Sep 2026
Ofgem average Direct Debit unit rates and standing charges for Great Britain from 1 July to 30 September 2026. Actual rates vary by region, payment method and meter type.
| Band / figure | Rate |
|---|---|
| Electricity unit rate | 26.11p/kWh |
| Gas unit rate | 7.33p/kWh |
| Electricity standing charge | 57.19p/day |
| Gas standing charge | 29.04p/day |
Source: Ofgem — Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges — source checked for 1 Jul – 30 Sep 2026.
When to use this calculator
- Before switching supplier, upgrading equipment or comparing energy-saving changes.
- When you want to test different usage or price scenarios quickly.
- When you need a simple estimate before requesting installer or supplier quotes.
- When a tariff is about to change and you want to model the bill impact.
A realistic UK planning example
Use these sample inputs as a quick scenario test, then change one variable at a time to compare outcomes.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Electricity Usage (kWh) | 35 |
| Annual Gas Usage (kWh) | 35 |
| Your Current Tariff | Ofgem price cap (standard) |
| Electricity Unit Rate (p/kWh) — if fixed | 5% |
After entering these figures, review annual electricity cost, annual gas cost and total annual bill together rather than in isolation. Then rerun the tool with one input adjusted.
How to read your results
Annual Electricity Cost
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Annual Gas Cost
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Total Annual Bill
The headline outcome of this calculation. It is most useful when read alongside the supporting metrics rather than in isolation.
Monthly Average
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Saving vs Price Cap
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Method & assumptionsAuthoritative sources
This calculator uses Ofgem’s Great Britain average Direct Debit rates for 1 July to 30 September 2026: 26.11p/kWh electricity, 7.33p/kWh gas, and daily standing charges of 57.19p and 29.04p respectively. They include VAT and are rounded to two decimal places. They are averages for England, Scotland and Wales; actual capped rates vary by region, payment method and meter type.
For a fixed tariff, enter the unit rates and standing charges from your tariff information. The tool annualises daily standing charges over 365 days and estimates usage costs from the kWh entered. It is a budgeting comparison, not a bill, price forecast or switching recommendation; check your supplier’s rates and terms before acting.
Common mistakes
- !Using the current tariff without testing a higher unit rate.
- !Forgetting the standing charge when comparing annual bills.
- !Treating the result as a supplier quote.
- !Using optimistic savings figures for an upgrade without a written estimate.
What to do next
- Run the same scenario with a 10% higher unit rate.
- Compare this result with a related energy calculator before requesting installer quotes.
- If you are evaluating an upgrade, rerun with actual quote figures.
- Set a reminder to rerun the calculation when your tariff renews.
Frequently asked
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