What actually makes up your energy bill?
Unit rates, standing charges and usage all play a part.
Understanding your current arrangements is the first step towards making an informed decision. Here's a practical starting point.
1. Unit rates
Your supplier charges a price for each unit (kWh) of electricity or gas that you use. Check your recent bill for the actual rate on your current tariff.
2. Standing charges
This is usually a daily charge for having a supply, whether you use energy that day or not. There can be different standing charges for gas and electricity.
3. Usage and Direct Debits
Your monthly Direct Debit may be set to smooth your costs across the year. Compare it with actual meter readings and your balance, rather than assuming it matches your monthly consumption.
What to do next
Find a recent bill and note your tariff, unit rates, standing charges and estimated yearly usage. Those details help you ask useful questions about your options.