Average Gas & Electricity Prices per kWh in the UK

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:

• Unit rate - Measured in kilowatt hours (kWh), this is the amount you pay for the gas and electricity you use. If you have a fixed tariff, the unit rate is fixed, but your bills will still vary depending upon how much energy you use.
• Standing charge - This is a fixed daily fee to cover the cost of supplying gas and electricity to your house.

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.

Key Takeaways

• The best energy deals might not always have the lowest unit prices due to factors like standing charges.
• The average electricity cost per kWh in the UK is 28.62p, with regional variations affecting prices.
• For gas, the average cost per kWh across the UK is 7.42p, with a consistent standing charge of 29.60p per day across all regions.

What is the average electricity cost per kwh across the UK?

The average cost of electricity per kWh in the UK is 24.5p. That is a 14.4% decrease compared to previous rates. Here is the breakdown per region:

Standing Charges and Unit Rates based on Ofgem's Price Cap from 1st April 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.

What is the average electricity standing charge across the UK?

The average standing charge for electricity is 60.10p per day across the UK.

Use the table below to compare your daily standing charge for electricity, to the average cost per region:

Standing Charges and Unit Rates based on Ofgem's Price Cap from 1st April 2024

What is the average gas price across the UK?

The average cost of gas per kWh across the UK is 6.04p. Here is the breakdown per region:

Standing Charges and Unit Rates based on Ofgem's Price Cap from 1st April 2024

What is the average gas standing charge in my region?

The average standing charge for gas is is 31.43p per day across the UK. 

Use the table below to compare your daily standing charge for gas, to the average cost per region:

What is a kWh?

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.

How to calculate appliance energy use

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.

How to compare energy prices per kwh

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.