Energy standing charge refund UK: who qualifies?
Find out whether you could be due a standing charge refund and compare whole-of-market home energy deals with EnergyPlus. Submit the form to see your options and next steps in minutes.
- Clear eligibility checks for common refund scenarios (billing errors, incorrect tariff setup, vacant properties)
- Understand standing charges, back-billing rules and what evidence you may need
- Whole-of-market comparison for home gas & electricity to reduce future standing charges
Home energy only. We’re a comparison service (whole-of-market). Refunds depend on your supplier and circumstances.
Check if you might be due a standing charge refund (and reduce future costs)
In the UK, a supplier will usually charge a daily standing charge on your gas and/or electricity account. A “standing charge refund” typically applies when you’ve been charged the wrong standing charge or charged it when it shouldn’t have been applied (for example, account setup errors, incorrect meter details, or billing during a verified period of non-supply).
This page explains who may qualify, what evidence helps, and the practical steps to take. If you also want to cut ongoing bills, EnergyPlus can compare whole-of-market home energy tariffs and show your options.
Important: There is no universal UK scheme that automatically refunds everyone’s standing charges. Refund outcomes depend on your supplier, tariff terms, billing accuracy, and the facts of your case.
When a refund is most likely
- Incorrect tariff or rate applied (e.g., you were on the wrong region, meter type, or payment method rate).
- Account setup errors after a move-in, switch, or meter exchange.
- Wrong start/end dates causing standing charges to be billed outside your responsibility.
- Billing and back-billing issues where supplier mistakes may limit what they can charge for older periods.
- Documented non-supply scenarios (rare, but possible) such as confirmed disconnection or supply not live.
Get your comparison & next steps
Complete the form to compare whole-of-market home energy deals. We’ll also show what to check on your bill if you think the standing charge looks wrong.
Why people look for standing charge refunds
If your bills have jumped, it’s normal to scrutinise the standing charge. But the key question is whether your supplier applied it correctly. Here are the most common “refund triggers” and why they matter.
Incorrect standing charge rate
A wrong tariff, region, meter type, or payment method can lead to the wrong daily charge. If you’ve been overcharged, a correction can result in a credit or refund.
Move-in / move-out date disputes
Standing charges should only apply while you’re responsible for the property’s account. Incorrect dates can create charges that should fall to a previous occupier or landlord.
Supplier billing errors
Mistakes in meter details, account setup, or delayed billing can lead to incorrect charges. UK back-billing expectations may limit how far back some charges can be applied when it’s the supplier’s fault.
Prepayment meter issues
If a meter was incorrectly set to prepay or the wrong prepay rates were used, you may have paid more than you should. Evidence from meter records and statements helps.
Duplicate accounts / wrong meter
Occasionally, a supplier bills you for the wrong MPAN/MPRN (the unique electricity/gas supply numbers). If standing charges were applied to the wrong supply, a correction can follow.
Vacant property confusion
A vacant home can still have a standing charge if the supply remains live. Refunds are usually only due if the account responsibility or supply status was recorded incorrectly.
What is a standing charge (and why do we pay it)?
A standing charge is a fixed daily amount you pay for having an energy supply connected. It helps cover costs such as maintaining the energy network, running your meter, and supplier administrative costs. You pay it whether you use energy or not (unless your tariff terms or a specific supply situation means it should not apply).
On your bill, the standing charge is usually shown separately from the unit rate (pence per kWh). If you’re trying to work out whether you’ve been overcharged, you need to check both the rate and the dates it was applied.
| Bill item | What it means | Common refund red flags |
|---|---|---|
| Standing charge (p/day) | Fixed daily amount for having a supply. | Rate doesn’t match your tariff; applied on dates before you moved in/after you moved out; billed against the wrong meter/supply number. |
| Unit rate (p/kWh) | What you pay per unit of energy used. | Wrong tariff; estimated reads causing incorrect consumption; meter details mismatch. |
| Billing period | The dates the supplier is charging for. | Periods overlap with another account; large “catch-up” bill after supplier delay; disputed occupancy dates. |
| Meter identifiers (MPAN/MPRN) | Unique IDs for your electricity/gas supply. | Supplier has the wrong MPAN/MPRN; you’re billed for a neighbour’s meter; duplicate account created after a switch. |
Tip: If your bill shows two standing charge lines (e.g., “electricity standing charge” and “electricity standing charge – previous rate”), that can be normal after a tariff change. The question is whether the dates and rates match your tariff documents.
Who qualifies for an energy standing charge refund in the UK?
Most standing charge refund requests succeed when you can show a clear mismatch between what you were charged and what you should have been charged. Below are the main scenarios where a refund or account credit may be appropriate.
1) You were billed on the wrong tariff or rate
If your standing charge doesn’t match your tariff confirmation, welcome letter, or online account pricing, you may have been overcharged.
- Wrong payment method pricing (e.g., Direct Debit vs standard credit)
- Wrong meter type setup (e.g., economy/complex meters recorded incorrectly)
- Wrong regional pricing applied
2) The account dates are wrong (move-in/out)
Standing charges should align to the period you’re responsible for the supply. If you’re charged outside that, you may be due a correction.
- Supplier used the wrong move-in date
- Final bill covers dates after you left
- Two occupiers were billed for the same period
3) You were billed for the wrong meter/supply
If your supplier has the wrong MPAN/MPRN or the wrong meter serial number, standing charges may have been applied to a supply that isn’t yours.
- Neighbour’s meter billed to you
- Duplicate account after a switch
- Incorrect meter exchange records
4) Supplier error leads to back-billing limits
If a supplier failed to bill you correctly due to their own mistake, there may be limits on how far back they can recover charges. This can reduce what you owe for older periods, including standing charges.
The outcome depends on the timeline and circumstances, so keep records of when you provided reads or contacted the supplier.
Not usually eligible: Simply using little or no energy doesn’t normally stop standing charges. Even with zero consumption, a live supply can still incur a daily charge unless your tariff or supply status says otherwise.
How to claim a standing charge refund (practical steps)
If you believe your standing charges are wrong, focus on a clean, evidence-based request. These steps work for most UK suppliers and help you get a faster resolution.
- Gather proof: recent bills, tariff confirmation, screenshots of rates, and any emails about your move-in/move-out or switch.
- Check the basics on the bill: standing charge rate (p/day), dates charged, and whether there was a tariff change mid-period.
- Confirm meter and supply identifiers: meter serial number on the physical meter, plus MPAN/MPRN (often shown on the bill).
- Contact your supplier in writing: ask them to explain the standing charge rate applied and to correct any errors, including recalculating charges.
- Request a refund method: account credit, bank refund, or adjustment against your Direct Debit—whichever is appropriate.
- Escalate if needed: follow the complaints process and keep a timeline of interactions and reference numbers.
Template wording you can adapt
Use clear numbers and dates. Example:
“I believe I’ve been charged an incorrect standing charge for [fuel] from [date] to [date]. My tariff confirmation shows a standing charge of [x]p/day, but my bill shows [y]p/day. Please investigate and re-bill the period, confirming the correct tariff and the calculation. If I have been overcharged, please refund or credit the difference.”
While you’re at it: reduce the standing charge you pay going forward
Even if you don’t qualify for a refund, you may be able to lower your ongoing costs by switching tariff. Standing charges vary between suppliers and tariffs.
Compare whole-of-market tariffsComparison is for domestic customers. Availability depends on your postcode, meter type and supply details.
Rules, time limits and what to expect
Refunds and corrections are typically handled through your supplier’s billing and complaints process. The exact outcome depends on the nature of the error and the evidence available.
| Topic | What it means for standing charges | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Billing accuracy | Suppliers should apply the standing charge rate for your tariff and the correct billing dates. | Ask for a bill breakdown showing the daily rate and the number of days charged; compare to your tariff documents. |
| Back-billing (supplier error) | If the supplier failed to bill correctly, recovery of older charges may be limited in some circumstances. | If you get a large catch-up bill, ask whether back-billing protections apply and request a recalculation if relevant. |
| Complaints process | Refund disagreements are often treated as billing complaints. | Keep a written timeline; escalate formally if you’re not getting clear responses. |
| Evidence & recordkeeping | The stronger your proof (rates, dates, meter IDs), the quicker issues are resolved. | Save PDFs of bills, photos of meter serial numbers, and screenshots of tariff pricing. |
Good to know: A “refund” is often processed as an account credit first, then paid back if you request it (especially when an account is closed). Ask your supplier what options are available in your case.
Common mistakes that derail refund requests
Refund requests are often rejected because the claim doesn’t identify a specific billing error. Avoid these common pitfalls and you’ll usually get a clearer, faster outcome.
Saying “I didn’t use any energy”
Standing charges usually apply even with zero usage if the supply is live. Focus on rate accuracy, dates, and meter/supply identity.
Not checking tariff change dates
If you fixed your rate, renewed, or switched, the bill may legitimately show multiple standing charges for different periods. Ask for a breakdown by date.
Ignoring meter identifiers
If the wrong meter is linked to your account, the whole bill can be wrong. Take a photo of the meter serial number and compare it to the bill.
Only contacting by phone
Phone calls can be useful, but written contact creates a paper trail. Use email/chat and ask for written confirmation of the outcome.
FAQs: energy standing charge refunds in the UK
Can I get a standing charge refund if my home was empty?
Usually, an empty home still has a standing charge if the supply remained connected. You may have a case if the account responsibility dates were wrong, the supply wasn’t actually live, or you were billed for the wrong meter/supply.
Do standing charges apply on prepayment meters?
Yes. With prepayment, standing charges are commonly collected through the meter (often deducted from credit). If you think the rate is wrong or the meter setup is incorrect, ask your supplier to confirm the tariff details and dates applied.
How do I check if my standing charge is correct?
Compare the standing charge shown on your bill with your tariff confirmation (or the rates shown in your online account). Also check the billing dates and whether a tariff change occurred mid-period. If anything doesn’t match, request a written breakdown.
Is there a UK-wide standing charge refund scheme?
Not typically. Most “standing charge refunds” happen because of billing errors or incorrect account details. If you see viral posts suggesting everyone can claim, treat them cautiously and check the specifics.
If I switch supplier, can I still claim a refund from my old supplier?
Yes, you can raise a billing complaint with a previous supplier if you believe you were overcharged. Keep copies of your final bill, tariff details and move/switch dates so your old supplier can re-check the charges.
Will EnergyPlus process my refund claim for me?
EnergyPlus helps you compare whole-of-market home energy deals and understand what to look for on your bill. Any refund or billing correction is handled by your supplier through their standard process.
Trust & social proof
People typically come to EnergyPlus after spotting a higher daily charge, getting a catch-up bill, or moving home. Here’s what customers value when comparing domestic energy deals with us.
“I thought I needed a refund, but the guide helped me see my tariff had changed mid-month. I switched to a lower standing charge instead.”
— Domestic customer, Leeds
“The comparison was straightforward. It highlighted cheaper options for my postcode and meter type without the usual confusion.”
— Domestic customer, Bristol
“Useful checklist for what to ask my supplier. I got a correction on my move-in date and a credit on my account.”
— Domestic customer, Glasgow
Testimonials are illustrative of individual experiences. Your savings and eligibility for any bill correction depend on your tariff, meter type, supplier and circumstances.
Ready to check your standing charge and compare whole-of-market deals?
Submit your details to compare home energy tariffs for your postcode. If your standing charge looks wrong, use the steps on this page to raise a targeted query with your supplier.
- Domestic comparison (whole-of-market)
- Clear tariff breakdowns, including standing charges
- Fast form fill — no phone queues
Compare now
Back to Energy News