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Energy Price Cap Calculator – how much more will you pay from January?

And what are the unit rates and standing charges under the Price Cap?

Chris Knight
Chris Knight | Edited by Andrew Capstick
Updated 27 November 2023

The Energy Price Cap, which controls what most households pay for energy, will rise by 5% on average on 1 January 2024. Use the calculator in this guide to find out how much YOUR bill is likely to rise by.

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In this guide

The Energy Price Cap will rise by 5% to £1,928 a year on 1 January 2024, based Ofgem's typical use figures for a direct debit household. What YOU PAY will depend on your usage, where you live and how you pay. So use our calculator for an estimate of the change to your bills...

How much more you'll pay under the Energy Price Cap from January

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 Price Cap from 1 January until 31 March 2024.

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The Energy Price Cap unit rates & standing charges

Here are the average unit rates for dual-fuel customers paying by direct debit under the Energy Price Cap...

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

 

NEW Energy Price Cap

rates from 1 January to 31 March 2024

Current Energy Price Cap

rates from 1 October to 31 December 2023
Gas 

Unit rate: 7.42p per kilowatt hour (kWh)

Standing charge: 29.60p per day

Unit rate: 6.89p per kWh

Standing charge: 29.62p per day
Electricity

Unit rate: 28.62p per kWh

Standing charge: 53.35p per day

Unit rate: 27.35p per kWh

Standing charge: 53.37p 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 7% higher.

  • Prices vary by region – see regional direct debit rates and charges for 1 January to 31 March 2024

    What were the standing charges and unit rates for gas and electricity under the Energy Price Cap on direct debit for my region from 1 January to 31 March 2024?

      Gas  Electricity
    North West

    Unit rate: 7.42p per kWh
     

    Standing charge: 29.60p per day

    Unit rate: 28.44p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 51.80p per day
    Northern

    Unit rate: 7.34p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.60p per day

    Unit rate: 27.81p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 57.44p per day
    Yorkshire 

    Unit rate: 7.35p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.60p per day

    Unit rate: 27.79p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 56.00p per day
    Northern Scotland

    Unit rate: 7.37p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.60p per day

    Unit rate: 28.48p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 59.38p per day 
    Southern

    Unit rate: 7.52p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.60p per day

    Unit rate: 28.79p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 49.97p per day 
    Southern Scotland

    Unit rate: 7.37p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.60p per day

    Unit rate: 28.16p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 62.08p per day
    North Wales & Mersey

    Unit rate: 7.45p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.60p per day 

    Unit rate: 29.57p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 62.21p per day 
    London

    Unit rate: 7.42p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.60p per day

    Unit rate: 29.73p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 38.50p per day 
    South East 

    Unit rate: 7.45p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.60p per day

    Unit rate: 29.38p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 47.56p per day 
    Eastern

    Unit rate: 7.31p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.60p per day

    Unit rate: 29.22p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 44.00p per day 
    East Midlands

    Unit rate: 7.29p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.60p per day

    Unit rate: 28.02p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 50.69p per day 
    Midlands 

    Unit rate: 7.34p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.60p per day

    Unit rate: 28.12p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 54.36p per day 
    South Western

    Unit rate: 7.62p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.59p per day

    Unit rate: 28.43p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 58.68p per day 
    South Wales

    Unit rate: 7.57p per kWh 

     

    Standing charge: 29.59p per day

    Unit rate: 28.71p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 54.21p 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 October to 31 December 2023

    What are the standing charges and unit rates for gas and electricity under the Energy Price Cap on direct debit for my region from 1 October to 31 December 2023?

      Gas  Electricity
    North West

    Unit rate: 6.90p per kWh
     

    Standing charge: 29.62p per day

    Unit rate: 27.21p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 51.81p per day
    Northern

    Unit rate: 6.82p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.62p per day

    Unit rate: 26.58p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 57.46p per day
    Yorkshire 

    Unit rate: 6.83p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.62p per day

    Unit rate: 26.52p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 56.02p per day
    Northern Scotland

    Unit rate: 6.85p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.62p per day

    Unit rate: 27.26p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 59.40p per day 
    Southern

    Unit rate: 6.99p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.62p per day

    Unit rate: 27.51p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 49.99p per day 
    Southern Scotland

    Unit rate: 6.85p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.62p per day

    Unit rate: 26.88p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 62.10p per day
    North Wales & Mersey

    Unit rate: 6.93p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.62p per day 

    Unit rate: 28.26p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 62.23p per day 
    London

    Unit rate: 6.90p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.62p per day

    Unit rate: 28.43p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 38.52p per day 
    South East 

    Unit rate: 6.92p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.62p per day

    Unit rate: 28.10p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 47.58p per day 
    Eastern

    Unit rate: 6.78p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.62p per day

    Unit rate: 27.93p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 44.02p per day 
    East Midlands

    Unit rate: 6.76p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.62p per day

    Unit rate: 26.76p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 50.71p per day 
    Midlands 

    Unit rate: 6.82p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.62p per day

    Unit rate: 26.85p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 54.38p per day 
    South Western

    Unit rate: 7.10p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 29.61p per day

    Unit rate: 27.18p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 58.70p per day 
    South Wales

    Unit rate: 7.05p per kWh 

     

    Standing charge: 29.61p per day

    Unit rate: 27.45p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 54.23p per day 
    Assumes payment by direct debit and includes VAT (at 5%).

Here are the average unit rates for dual-fuel customers paying by prepayment under the Energy Price Cap...

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

 

NEW Energy Price Cap

rates from 1 January to 31 March 2024 (1)

Current Energy Price Cap

rates from 1 October to 31 December 2023 (1)
Gas 

Unit rate: 7.24p per kWh

Standing charge: 33.32p per day

 Unit rate: 6.67p per kWh

Standing charge: 34.20p per day
Electricity

Unit rate: 28.17p per kWh

Standing charge: 55.53p per day

 Unit rate: 26.92p per kWh

Standing charge: 55.52p per day

Rates and standing charges are averages, which vary by region. Assumes payment by prepayment meter and includes VAT (at 5%). (1) The Government has added a small subsidy on both gas and electricity standing charges to make sure those on prepay won't pay more than those on direct debit.

  • Prices vary by region – see regional rates and charges for prepayment for 1 January to 31 March 2024

    What are the standing charges and unit rates for gas and electricity under the Energy Price Cap on prepayment for my region from 1 January to 31 March 2024?

      Gas  Electricity
    North West

    Unit rate: 7.22p per kWh
     

    Standing charge: 33.32p per day

    Unit rate: 28.00p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 53.98p per day
    Northern

    Unit rate: 7.17p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.32p per day

    Unit rate: 27.37p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 59.60p per day
    Yorkshire 

    Unit rate: 7.18p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.32p per day

    Unit rate: 27.35p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 58.17p per day
    Northern Scotland

    Unit rate: 7.19p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.32p per day

    Unit rate: 28.04p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 61.53p per day 
    Southern

    Unit rate: 7.33p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.31p per day

    Unit rate: 28.35p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 52.16p per day 
    Southern Scotland

    Unit rate: 7.19p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.32p per day

    Unit rate: 27.72p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 64.21p per day
    North Wales & Mersey

    Unit rate: 7.24p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.32p per day

    Unit rate: 29.12p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 64.34p per day 
    London

    Unit rate: 7.24p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.32p per day

    Unit rate: 29.28p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 40.76p per day 
    South East 

    Unit rate: 7.25p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.32p per day

    Unit rate: 28.94p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 49.77p per day 
    Eastern

    Unit rate: 7.16p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.32p per day

    Unit rate: 28.77p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 46.23p per day 
    East Midlands

    Unit rate: 7.11p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.33p per day

    Unit rate: 27.58p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 52.88p per day 
    Midlands 

    Unit rate: 7.14p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.33p per day

    Unit rate: 27.68p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 56.53p per day 
    South Western

    Unit rate: 7.49p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 33.31p per day

    Unit rate: 27.98p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 60.83p per day 
    South Wales

    Unit rate: 7.36p per kWh 

     

    Standing charge: 33.31p per day

    Unit rate: 28.27p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 56.38p 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 October to 31 December 2023

    What are the standing charges and unit rates for gas and electricity under the Energy Price Cap on prepayment for my region from 1 October to 31 December 2023?

      Gas  Electricity
    North West

    Unit rate: 6.66p per kWh
     

    Standing charge: 34.21p per day

    Unit rate: 26.78p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 53.97p per day
    Northern

    Unit rate: 6.61p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.21p per day

    Unit rate: 26.14p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 59.59p per day
    Yorkshire 

    Unit rate: 6.62p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.21p per day

    Unit rate: 26.09p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 58.61p per day
    Northern Scotland

    Unit rate: 6.63p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.21p per day

    Unit rate: 26.83p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 61.52p per day 
    Southern

    Unit rate: 6.76p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.20p per day

    Unit rate: 27.07p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 52.15p per day 
    Southern Scotland

    Unit rate: 6.63p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.21p per day

    Unit rate: 26.45p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 64.21p per day
    North Wales & Mersey

    Unit rate: 6.68p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.20p per day

    Unit rate: 27.82p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 64.33p per day 
    London

    Unit rate: 6.67p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.20p per day

    Unit rate: 27.99p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 40.74p per day 
    South East 

    Unit rate: 6.69p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.20p per day

    Unit rate: 27.66p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 49.76p per day 
    Eastern

    Unit rate: 6.60p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.21p per day

    Unit rate: 27.49p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 46.22p per day 
    East Midlands

    Unit rate: 6.55p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.21p per day

    Unit rate: 26.33p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 52.87p per day 
    Midlands 

    Unit rate: 6.58p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.21p per day

    Unit rate: 26.42p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 56.52p per day 
    South Western

    Unit rate: 6.93p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.19p per day

    Unit rate: 26.75p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 60.82p per day 
    South Wales

    Unit rate: 6.79p per kWh 

     

    Standing charge: 34.20p per day

    Unit rate: 27.01p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 56.37p per day 
    Assumes payment by prepayment meter and includes VAT (at 5%).

Here are the average unit rates for those who pay on receipt of a bill (also known as standard credit) under the current and new Price Cap...

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

 

NEW Energy Price Cap

rates from 1 January to 31 March 2024

Current Energy Price Cap rates

from 1 October to 31 December 2023
Gas 

Unit rate: 7.81p per kWh

Standing charge: 34.97p per day

Unit rate: 7.25p per kWh

Standing charge: 34.99p per day
Electricity

Unit rate: 30.12p per kWh

Standing charge: 60.01p per day

Unit rate: 28.79p per kWh

Standing charge: 60.03p 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 January to 31 March 2024

    What were the standing charges and unit rates for gas and electricity under the Energy Price Cap on receipt of a bill for my region from 1 January to 31 March 2024?

      Gas  Electricity
    North West

    Unit rate: 7.91p per kWh
     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 31.53p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 57.87p per day
    Northern

    Unit rate: 7.83p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 30.85p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 63.79p per day
    Yorkshire 

    Unit rate: 7.84p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 30.82p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 62.28p per day
    Northern Scotland

    Unit rate: 7.86p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 31.57p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 65.85p per day 
    Southern

    Unit rate: 8.01p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 31.91p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 55.95p per day 
    Southern Scotland

    Unit rate: 7.86p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 31.25p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 68.68p per day
    North Wales & Mersey

    Unit rate: 7.95p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 32.75p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 68.84p per day 
    London

    Unit rate: 7.91p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 32.86p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 43.92p per day 
    South East 

    Unit rate: 7.94p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 32.55p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 53.44p per day 
    Eastern

    Unit rate: 7.79p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 32.36p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 49.70p per day 
    East Midlands

    Unit rate: 7.77p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 31.05p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 56.70p per day 
    Midlands 

    Unit rate: 7.83p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 31.19p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 60.56p per day 
    South Western

    Unit rate: 8.12p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 31.54p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 65.11p per day 
    South Wales

    Unit rate: 8.07p per kWh 

     

    Standing charge: 34.34p per day

    Unit rate: 31.83p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 60.41p per day 
    Assumes payment on receipt of bill and includes VAT (at 5%).

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

    What are the standing charges and unit rates for gas and electricity under the Energy Price Cap on receipt of a bill for my region from 1 October to 31 December 2023?

      Gas  Electricity
    North West

    Unit rate: 7.81p per kWh
     

    Standing charge: 34.97p per day

    Unit rate: 29.94p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 58.37p per day
    Northern

    Unit rate: 7.73p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.97p per day

    Unit rate: 29.27p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 64.31p per day
    Yorkshire 

    Unit rate: 7.74p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.97p per day

    Unit rate: 29.25p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 62.80p per day
    Northern Scotland

    Unit rate: 7.76p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.97p per day

    Unit rate: 29.98p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 66.36p per day 
    Southern

    Unit rate: 7.91p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.96p per day

    Unit rate: 30.31p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 56.45p per day 
    Southern Scotland

    Unit rate: 7.76p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.97p per day

    Unit rate: 29.64p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 69.21p per day
    North Wales & Mersey

    Unit rate: 7.85p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.97p per day

    Unit rate: 31.13p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 69.34p per day 
    London

    Unit rate: 7.81p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.97p per day

    Unit rate: 31.29p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 44.37p per day 
    South East 

    Unit rate: 7.84p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.97p per day

    Unit rate: 30.93p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 53.92p per day 
    Eastern

    Unit rate: 7.69p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.97p per day

    Unit rate: 30.75p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 50.17p per day 
    East Midlands

    Unit rate: 7.67p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.98p per day

    Unit rate: 29.149p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 57.21p per day 
    Midlands 

    Unit rate: 7.73p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.97p per day

    Unit rate: 29.61p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 61.07p per day 
    South Western

    Unit rate: 8.02p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 34.96p per day

    Unit rate: 29.92p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 65.62p per day 
    South Wales

    Unit rate: 7.97p per kWh 

     

    Standing charge: 34.96p per day

    Unit rate: 30.22p per kWh

     

    Standing charge: 60.91p per day 
    Assumes payment on receipt of bill and includes VAT (at 5%).

What you should be doing now to help yourself

There are a few areas to focus on...

  • Have you got all the help you qualify for? Even with the Price Cap dropping, prices will still be unaffordable for many. Check our Struggling to pay – energy help guide to ensure you're getting all the help you are entitled to.

  • Should I fix my energy? The one bright spark in the energy market in recent months has been the return of more fixed tariffs. Based on current predictions, if any firm offers a fix for about 1% more than the October Price Cap, that looks a decent deal. Fixed deals for more than this may still be worth considering if you strongly value price certainty, especially given the Price Cap is set to rise again in January.

    But it's a complex decision, so for everything you need to think about, see our Should you fix? guide, or see Stick, switch or fix your energy tariff for a rundown of all the switching options.

  • How does the Energy Price Cap work? For full info, see our Energy Price Cap FAQs.

  • Try to cut your energy usage. There are lots of ways to reduce what you use. See our Energy saving tips, the Energy mythbusters guide for less clear-cut issues, and our Heat the human guide.

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