Standing Charge is im sure the suppliers way of making a tariff look more attractive for example: if british gas is offering a rate of 4p per unit and EON is offering 2p per unit with as standing charge of 27p per day on the face of it EON is half the price!!! not true it is all about your annual consumption for example: if you are using 4000kWh a year then BG = 0.04 * 4000 = £160 a year and EON = 0.02 * 4000 + 0.27 * 365 = £80 +£98.55 = £178.55 a year BG wins however on the flip side with a consumption of 8000 then BG = 0.04 * 8000 = £320 a year and EON = 0.02 * 8000 + 0.27 * 365 = £160 +£98.55 = £258.55 a year EON Wins so its best to do your sums before you switch (my maths teacher would be proud) btw sainsburys energy won for me 2.1p no standing charge!!!! thanks energyseeker