The best energy deals on the market might not always offer the the lowest unit prices. This is due to the other factors such as the 'Standing Charge' that is applied each day whether energy is used or not.
There are all sorts of costs that make up your energy bill, but when comparing gas and electricity prices, there are two you need to focus on:
Although the cost of your energy bills ultimately depends upon how much gas and electricity you use each month, if you're looking for the best energy deal, then choose the one with the lowest unit rate and standing charge.
The average cost of electricity per kWh in the UK is 22.36p. That is a 8.7% decrease compared to previous rates. Here is the breakdown per region:
| Region | Average Electricity Price (p/kWh) |
|---|---|
| London | 23.53p |
| South East | 23.13p |
| Eastern | 23.08p |
| Southern | 22.49p |
| Southern Western | 22.10p |
| N Wales and Mersey | 23.23p |
| South Wales | 22.37p |
| Midlands | 21.69p |
| East Midlands | 21.65p |
| Yorkshire | 21.22p |
| North West | 22.59p |
| Northern | 21.28p |
| Southern Scotland | 21.83p |
| Northern Scotland | 22.90p |
Standing Charges and Unit Rates based on Ofgem's Price Cap from 1st July 2024
When comparing the electricity unit rates you are paying, it is sometimes helpful to understand what the average electricity cost is in your region. This is because energy prices differ depending on which part of the country you live in.
The average standing charge for electricity is 60.12p per day across the UK.
Use the table below to compare your daily standing charge for electricity, to the average cost per region:
| Region | Average Electricity Standing Charge (p/day) |
|---|---|
| London | 40.79p |
| South East | 56.93p |
| Eastern | 49.94p |
| Southern | 63.36p |
| Southern Western | 67.21p |
| N Wales and Mersey | 67.05p |
| South Wales | 63.27p |
| Midlands | 62.75p |
| East Midlands | 56.02p |
| Yorkshire | 67.45p |
| North West | 51.19p |
| Northern | 71.22p |
| Southern Scotland | 63.33p |
| Northern Scotland | 61.12p |
Standing Charges and Unit Rates based on Ofgem's Price Cap from 1st July 2024
The average cost of gas per kWh across the UK is 5.48p. Here is the breakdown per region:
| Region | Average Gas Price (p/kWh) |
|---|---|
| London | 5.55p |
| South East | 5.41p |
| Eastern | 5.40p |
| Southern | 5.56p |
| Southern Western | 5.76p |
| N Wales and Mersey | 5.45p |
| South Wales | 5.69p |
| Midlands | 5.44p |
| East Midlands | 5.34p |
| Yorkshire | 5.45p |
| North West | 5.40p |
| Northern | 5.47p |
| Southern Scotland | 5.40p |
| Northern Scotland | 5.40p |
Standing Charges and Unit Rates based on Ofgem's Price Cap from 1st July 2024
The average standing charge for gas is is 31.41p per day across the UK.
Use the table below to compare your daily standing charge for gas, to the average cost per region:
| Region | Average Gas Standing Charge (p/day) |
|---|---|
| London | 32.03p |
| South East | 30.94p |
| Eastern | 31.01p |
| Southern | 30.78p |
| Southern Western | 30.97p |
| N Wales and Mersey | 31.87p |
| South Wales | 31.73p |
| Midlands | 31.44p |
| East Midlands | 31.10p |
| Yorkshire | 31.53p |
| North West | 31.59p |
| Northern | 31.56p |
| Southern Scotland | 31.66p |
| Northern Scotland | 31.58p |
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the unit of energy that suppliers use to measure how much gas and electricity you're using, and works out at 1,000 watts (W) - or 1 kilowatt (kW) - of energy used for one hour (h).
The amount you pay per kWh will depend upon your supplier and the type of tariff you're on. It's important to know what unit rate, so you know how much you're paying for the energy you use, and can use this figure when comparing gas and electricity prices.
Choosing a deal with a lower unit rate is one of the simplest ways to cut your energy costs, but it also helps to switch to energy efficient appliances, or at least use your existing appliances more efficiently. That's why it helps to know how much energy your appliances use. Use our electricity cost calculator to find out.
The power of your electrical appliances, from light bulbs to washing machines is measured in watts. Once you know this figure, you can work out the running costs of any appliance by multiplying the wattage by the number of hours it's been used, then dividing this figure by 1,000.
A 50W light bulb, for example, would need to be switched on for 20 hours to use 1kWh of energy, while a 200W games console would need to be played for five hours to use 1kWh of energy.
The simplest way to compare energy prices per kWh is to run an energy price comparison at The Energy Shop. We'll show you a range of money-saving deals, alongside how much each could save you if you switch.
To start your energy comparison, enter your postcode and house number above, and we'll find a deal to cut the cost of your gas and electric bills. You just then need to choose the deal you prefer, and we'll help you switch energy supplier and save money.
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The Energy Shop is a free, independent and impartial energy comparison service. We can help you compare and switch energy suppliers to save money. Our service is accredited by the Ofgem Confidence Code.
