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What are the price cap unit rates?

Energy Price Guarantee Calculator – how much will I pay from April?

And what are the unit rates and standing charges under the EPG?

Chris Knight
Chris Knight | Edited by Gary Caffell
Updated 21 March 2023

The Energy Price Guarantee currently sets the price almost everyone pays for their energy.

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In this guide

It’s a state-subsidised discount off the price cap rates which currently keeps a typical household bill at £2,500/year (see Martin's explainer of how it works below). The Government was planning to increase this to £3,000/year from 1 April, but we have been campaigning against this and it has now been confirmed the Energy Price Guarantee will remain at £2,500/year in a win for Martin Lewis and MSE.

However, there will still be a rise for everyone in April as the Government’s £66/£67 a month energy support is ending. And what you actually pay will depend on your usage, where you live and your payment method. This guide has a calculator to help you work out the impact on your bills and the new EPG unit rates and standing charges.

How much you'll pay under the Energy Price Guarantee from April

If you're on a standard tariff (most are), plug your figures into the calculator for an estimate of what you'll pay under the Energy Price Guarantee from 1 April 2023 until 30 June 2023, factoring in the end of the £400 support that all households have been getting and slight tweaks to the standing charges and unit rates that will also see a shift in costs...

How the Price Guarantee and Price Cap works

Watch Martin explain how it works, or if you’d rather read, we've got all the latest info in our Energy Price Guarantee need-to-knows.

How the Price Guarantee and Price Cap works
Embedded YouTube Video

The Energy Price Guarantee unit rates & standing charges

Here are the average unit rates for dual-fuel customers paying by direct debit under the Government's Energy Price Guarantee...

On Eco 7, Eco 10 or other non-standard tariff? Firms should reduce tariffs so the reduction works on the weighted average of the combined rates (about 4p per kilowatt hour for gas, dropping to 2p from 1 April, and 17p per kilowatt hour for electric), but it's up to firms how they implement this, so we can't say for certain what the rates you'll pay are.

DIRECT DEBIT: What are the average standing charges and unit rates for gas and electricity?

 

New Energy Price Guarantee

rates from 1 April to 30 June 2023

Current Energy Price Guarantee

rates from 1 January to 31 March 2023
Gas 

Unit rate: 10.31p per kilowatt hour (kWh)

 

Standing charge: 29.11p per day

Unit rate: 10.33p per kilowatt hour (kWh)

 

Standing charge: 28.49p per day
Electricity

Unit rate: 33.21p per kWh

 

Standing charge: 52.97p per day

Unit rate: 34.04p per kWh

 

Standing charge: 46.36p per day
Rates and standing charges are averages, which vary by region. Assumes payment by direct debit and includes VAT (at 5%). For those who pay each month after getting a bill, it's typically 6-8% higher.

  • Prices vary by region – see regional direct debit rates and charges for 1 Jan to 31 March 2023

    What are the standing charges and unit rates for gas and electricity under The Energy Price Guarantee on direct debit for my region from 1 January to 31 March 2023?

      Gas  Electricity
    North West

    Unit rate: 10.33p per kWh
     

    Standing charge: 28.49p per day

    Unit rate: 33.33p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 43.26p per day
    Northern

    Unit rate: 10.20p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 28.49p per day

    Unit rate: 31.87p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 49.93p per day
    Yorkshire 

    Unit rate: 10.25p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 28.49p per day

    Unit rate: 33.03p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 49.55p per day
    Northern Scotland

    Unit rate: 10.28p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 28.49p per day 

    Unit rate: 32.77p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 51.07p per day 
    Southern

    Unit rate: 10.46p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 28.49p per day 

    Unit rate: 34.28p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 44.41p per day 
    Southern Scotland

    Unit rate: 10.28p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 28.49p per day

    Unit rate: 33.91p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 50.66p per day
    North Wales & Mersey

    Unit rate: 10.34p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 28.49p per day 

    Unit rate: 36.45p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 48.60p per day 
    London

    Unit rate: 10.51p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 28.49p per day

    Unit rate: 36.08p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.16p per day 
    South East 

    Unit rate: 10.30p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 28.49p per day

    Unit rate: 35.40p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 42.68p per day 
    Eastern

    Unit rate: 10.31p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 28.49p per day 

    Unit rate: 35.13p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 38.94p per day 
    East Midlands

    Unit rate: 10.24p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 28.49p per day 

    Unit rate: 32.81p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 45.77p per day 
    Midlands 

    Unit rate: 10.33p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 28.49p per day

    Unit rate: 33.83p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 49.15p per day 
    South Western

    Unit rate: 10.43p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 28.49p per day

    Unit rate: 33.69p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 52.64p per day 
    South Wales

    Unit rate: 10.39p per kWh 

     

    Standing charge: 28.49p per day

    Unit rate: 33.97p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 49.17p per day 
    Assumes payment by direct debit and includes VAT (at 5%).

  • Prices vary by region – see regional direct debit rates and charges for 1 April to 30 June 2023

    What are the standing charges and unit rates for gas and electricity under The Energy Price Guarantee on direct debit for my region from 1 April to 30 June 2023?

      Gas  Electricity
    North West

    Unit rate: 10.32p per kWh
     

    Standing charge: 29.11p per day

    Unit rate: 32.72p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 51.42p per day
    Northern

    Unit rate: 10.24p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.11p per day

    Unit rate: 31.92p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 57.03p per day
    Yorkshire 

    Unit rate: 10.24p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.11p per day

    Unit rate: 32.36p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 55.60p per day
    Northern Scotland

    Unit rate: 10.27p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.11p per day

    Unit rate: 32.56p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 58.98p per day 
    Southern

    Unit rate: 10.41p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.11p per day

    Unit rate: 33.52p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 49.60p per day 
    Southern Scotland

    Unit rate: 10.27p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.11p per day

    Unit rate: 32.91p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 61.67p per day
    North Wales & Mersey

    Unit rate: 10.35p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.11p per day 

    Unit rate: 34.76p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 61.82p per day 
    London

    Unit rate: 10.32p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.11p per day

    Unit rate: 34.68p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 38.18p per day 
    South East 

    Unit rate: 10.34p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.11p per day

    Unit rate: 34.18p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 47.21p per day 
    Eastern

    Unit rate: 10.20p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.11p per day

    Unit rate: 33.98p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 43.66p per day 
    East Midlands

    Unit rate: 10.18p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.11p per day

    Unit rate: 32.40p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 50.31p per day 
    Midlands 

    Unit rate: 10.24p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.11p per day

    Unit rate: 32.81p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 53.96p per day 
    South Western

    Unit rate: 10.52p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.11p per day

    Unit rate: 32.79p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 58.28p per day 
    South Wales

    Unit rate: 10.47p per kWh 

     

    Standing charge: 29.11p per day

    Unit rate: 33.28p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 53.83p per day 
    Assumes payment by direct debit and includes VAT (at 5%).

Why have the standing charges increased?

Wholesale costs have come down over the last few months, which has resulted in a lower unit rates, but in turn, inflationary pressures have meant that network costs have increased. This has resulted in an increase in the standing charge rates you see.

Here are the average unit rates for prepayment customers under the Government's new Energy Price Guarantee...

PREPAYMENT: What are the standing charges and unit rates for gas and electricity?

  New Energy Price Guarantee rates from 1 April to 30 June 2023 Current Energy Price Guarantee rates from 1 January to 31 March 2023
Gas 

Unit rate: 10.55p per kWh

Standing charge: 37.80p per day

 Unit rate: 10.82p per kWh

Standing charge: 37.51p per day
Electricity

Unit rate: 32.05p per kWh

Standing charge: 58.08p per day

 Unit rate: 33p per kWh

Standing charge: 51.41p per day
Rates and standing charges are averages, which vary by region. Assumes payment by prepayment meter and includes VAT (at 5%).

  • Prices vary by region – see regional rates and charges for prepayment from 1 Jan to 31 March 2023

    What are the standing charges and unit rates for gas and electricity under The Energy Price Guarantee on prepayment for my region from 1 January to 31 March 2023?

      Gas  Electricity
    North West

    Unit rate: 10.80p per kWh
     

    Standing charge: 37.51p per day

    Unit rate: 31.3p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 48.33p per day
    Northern

    Unit rate: 10.72p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.51p per day

    Unit rate: 30.86p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 54.97p per day
    Yorkshire 

    Unit rate: 10.75p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.51p per day

    Unit rate: 31.98p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 54.58p per day
    Northern Scotland

    Unit rate: 10.77p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.51p per day 

    Unit rate: 31.74p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 56.1p per day 
    Southern

    Unit rate: 10.93p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.51p per day 

    Unit rate: 33.24p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 49.48p per day 
    Southern Scotland

    Unit rate: 10.77p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.51p per day

    Unit rate: 32.88p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 55.70p per day
    North Wales & Mersey

    Unit rate: 10.8p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.51p per day 

    Unit rate: 35.39p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 53.64p per day 
    London

    Unit rate: 10.97p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.51p per day

    Unit rate: 35.02p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 38.28p per day 
    South East 

    Unit rate: 10.77p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.51p per day

    Unit rate: 34.36p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 47.5p per day 
    Eastern

    Unit rate: 10.83p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.51p per day 

    Unit rate: 34.09p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 44.03p per day 
    East Midlands

    Unit rate: 10.73p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.51p per day 

    Unit rate: 31.78p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 50.83p per day 
    Midlands 

    Unit rate: 10.8p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.51p per day

    Unit rate: 32.79p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 54.19p per day 
    South Western

    Unit rate: 10.93p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.51p per day

    Unit rate: 32.67p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 57.67p per day 
    South Wales

    Unit rate: 10.83p per kWh 

     

    Standing charge: 37.51p per day

    Unit rate: 32.93p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 54.21p per day 
    Assumes payment by prepayment meter and includes VAT (at 5%).

  • Prices vary by region – see regional rates and charges for prepayment for 1 April to 30 June 2023

    What are the standing charges and unit rates for gas and electricity under The Energy Price Guarantee on prepayment for my region from 1 April to 30 June 2023?

      Gas  Electricity
    North West

    Unit rate: 10.53p per kWh
     

    Standing charge: 37.80p per day

    Unit rate: 31.57p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 56.54p per day
    Northern

    Unit rate: 10.48p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.80p per day

    Unit rate: 30.79p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 62.13p per day
    Yorkshire 

    Unit rate: 10.49p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.80p per day

    Unit rate: 31.22p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 60.70p per day
    Northern Scotland

    Unit rate: 10.50p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.80p per day

    Unit rate: 31.42p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 64.06p per day 
    Southern

    Unit rate: 10.64p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.80p per day

    Unit rate: 32.36p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 54.73p per day 
    Southern Scotland

    Unit rate: 10.50p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.80p per day

    Unit rate: 31.75p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 66.74p per day
    North Wales & Mersey

    Unit rate: 10.55p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.80p per day

    Unit rate: 33.58p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 66.89p per day 
    London

    Unit rate: 10.55p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.80p per day

    Unit rate: 33.51p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 43.37p per day 
    South East 

    Unit rate: 10.56p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.80p per day

    Unit rate: 33.01p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 52.35p per day 
    Eastern

    Unit rate: 10.47p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.80p per day

    Unit rate: 32.82p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 48.82p per day 
    East Midlands

    Unit rate: 10.42p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.80p per day

    Unit rate: 31.26p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 55.43p per day 
    Midlands 

    Unit rate: 10.45p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.80p per day

    Unit rate: 31.65p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 59.08p per day 
    South Western

    Unit rate: 10.80p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 37.80p per day

    Unit rate: 31.64p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 63.37p per day 
    South Wales

    Unit rate: 10.67p per kWh 

     

    Standing charge: 37.80p per day

    Unit rate: 32.13p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 58.94p per day 
    Assumes payment by prepayment meter and includes VAT (at 5%).

ON RECEIPT OF A BILL: What are the average standing charges and unit rates for gas and electricity?

  New Energy Price Guarantee rates from1 April to 30 June 2023 Current Energy Price Guarantee rates from1 January to 31 March 2023
Gas 

Unit rate: 10.98p per kWh

 

Standing charge: 34.34p per day

Unit rate: 11.27p per kWh

 

Standing charge: 33.54p per day
Electricity

Unit rate: 35.90p per kWh

 

Standing charge: 59.51p per day

Unit rate: 37.67p per kWh

 

Standing charge: 52.40p per day
Rates and standing charges are averages, which vary by region. Assumes payment on receipt of a bill and includes VAT (at 5%).

  • Prices vary by region – see regional rates and charges for payment on receipt of a bill from 1 Jan to 31 March 2023

    What are the standing charges and unit rates for gas and electricity under The Energy Price Guarantee on receipt of a bill for my region from 1 January to 31 March 2023?

      Gas  Electricity
    North West

    Unit rate: 11.26p per kWh
     

    Standing charge: 33.54p per day

    Unit rate: 36.93p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 49.14p per day
    Northern

    Unit rate: 11.13p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.54p per day

    Unit rate: 35.39p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 56.17p per day
    Yorkshire 

    Unit rate: 11.17p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.54p per day

    Unit rate: 36.59p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 55.76p per day
    Northern Scotland

    Unit rate: 11.21p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.54p per day 

    Unit rate: 36.33p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 57.37p per day 
    Southern

    Unit rate: 11.40p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.54p per day 

    Unit rate: 37.93p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 50.35p per day 
    Southern Scotland

    Unit rate: 11.21p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.54p per day

    Unit rate: 37.54p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 56.94p per day
    North Wales & Mersey

    Unit rate: 11.28p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.54p per day 

    Unit rate: 40.21p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 54.76p per day 
    London

    Unit rate: 11.45p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.54p per day

    Unit rate: 39.82p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 38.49p per day 
    South East 

    Unit rate: 11.23p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.54p per day

    Unit rate: 39.11p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 48.52p per day 
    Eastern

    Unit rate: 11.24p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.54p per day 

    Unit rate: 38.83p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 44.58p per day 
    East Midlands

    Unit rate: 11.17p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.54p per day 

    Unit rate: 36.38p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 51.78p per day 
    Midlands 

    Unit rate: 11.27p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.54p per day

    Unit rate: 37.45p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 55.34p per day 
    South Western

    Unit rate: 11.37p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.54p per day

    Unit rate: 37.32p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 59.01p per day 
    South Wales

    Unit rate: 11.33p per kWh 

     

    Standing charge: 33.54p per day

    Unit rate: 37.60p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 55.36p per day 
    Assumes payment by prepayment meter and includes VAT (at 5%).

  • Prices vary by region – see regional rates and charges for payment on receipt of a bill from 1 April to 30 June 2023

    What are the standing charges and unit rates for gas and electricity under The Energy Price Guarantee on receipt of a bill for my region from 1 April to 30 June 2023?

      Gas  Electricity
    North West

    Unit rate: 10.99p per kWh
     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 35.39p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 57.87p per day
    Northern

    Unit rate: 10.90p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 34.55p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 63.79p per day
    Yorkshire 

    Unit rate: 10.91p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 35.01p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 62.28p per day
    Northern Scotland

    Unit rate: 10.94p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 35.22p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 65.85p per day 
    Southern

    Unit rate: 11.09p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 36.23p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 55.95p per day 
    Southern Scotland

    Unit rate: 10.94p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 35.59p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 68.68p per day
    North Wales & Mersey

    Unit rate: 11.02p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 37.54p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 68.84p per day 
    London

    Unit rate: 10.99p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 37.46p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 43.92p per day 
    South East 

    Unit rate: 11.02p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 36.92p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 53.44p per day 
    Eastern

    Unit rate: 10.87p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 36.72p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 49.70p per day 
    East Midlands

    Unit rate: 10.85p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 35.05p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 56.70p per day 
    Midlands 

    Unit rate: 10.90p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 35.48p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 60.56p per day 
    South Western

    Unit rate: 11.20p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 35.46p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 65.11p per day 
    South Wales

    Unit rate: 11.15p per kWh 

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 35.98p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 60.41p per day 
    Assumes payment by prepayment meter and includes VAT (at 5%).

What you should be doing now to help yourself

There are no regular tariffs meaningfully cheaper than the Price Guarantee, so you can't switch and save right now. Yet there are three areas to focus on...

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