Electricity Tariff Comparison
Compare two electricity tariffs or providers. See which plan saves you money based on your usage, standing charges, and unit rates.
Enter Your Values
Using shared profile · 3,500/mo · EUR — edit on Dashboard
Results update automatically as you change values.
What-If Scenarios
Results update instantlyCost Breakdown
Year 1 Cost Comparison
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Annual Cost Over Time
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Side-by-Side Comparison
Bars show relative size · ✓ marks the better option- Daily Standing Charge
- €0.45
- Unit Rate
- €0.28
- Year 1 Total
- €1,144
- Monthly (Year 1)
- €95
- 3-Year Total
- €3,537
- Effective Rate (Y1)
- €0.33
- Daily Standing Charge
- €0.25
- Unit Rate
- €0.32
- Year 1 Total
- €1,211
- Monthly (Year 1)
- €101
- 3-Year Total
- €3,744
- Effective Rate (Y1)
- €0.35
| Factor | Recommended Plan A | Plan B |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Standing Charge | €0.45 | €0.25 |
| Unit Rate | €0.28 | €0.32 |
| Year 1 Total | €1,144 | €1,211 |
| Monthly (Year 1) | €95 | €101 |
| 3-Year Total | €3,537 | €3,744 |
| Effective Rate (Y1) | €0.33 | €0.35 |
Plan A is cheaper by €207 over 3 years. Plan A costs €1144/year (€95/month) vs Plan B at €1211/year (€101/month). Plan A has a higher standing charge but lower unit rate — better for high usage.
Scenario Analysis
How the outcome shifts if your assumptions turn out better or worse than expected.
20% less consumption
At your stated usage
20% more consumption
Compare Scenarios
Pin up to 3 and see them side by sideSet your inputs, then Pin current to save this scenario. Pin a few variations to compare their scores and outcomes here.
What Moves the Needle Most
How much each factor changes your Plan A: Year 1 Cost across its full range. Plan A Rate has the biggest impact.
Focus your attention on Plan A Rate — getting it right matters most. Factors lower down move the result less, so rough estimates there are fine.
Confidence & Assumptions
The outcome shifts meaningfully with your assumptions. Sensible, but revisit the key inputs.
Plan A Total: €4,067 (worst) → €3,537 (expected) → €3,006 (best)
These are the estimates the result depends on. Adjust them (and the Advanced inputs) to match your real situation — the closer they are to reality, the more reliable your decision.
These estimates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Actual results may vary based on factors not captured in this calculator.
How This Calculator Works
What this calculator does
This calculator compares two electricity tariffs or providers over your chosen period, accounting for daily standing charges, unit rates, and price inflation.
How the calculation works
For each plan, we calculate annual cost as (standing charge × 365) + (usage × unit rate), then sum over the comparison period with inflation applied.
Formula
Annual Cost = Standing Charge × 365 + kWh × Unit Rate Total = Σ Annual Cost × (1 + inflation)^year
Sources & defaults
- Typical retail tariff structures (standing + unit)
Standing charge × days + kWh × unit rate; inflate over the horizon
- Eurostat / national CPI
Default inflation ~2–3% unless you override it
Example
3,500 kWh/yr: Plan A (€0.45/day + €0.28/kWh) = €1,184/yr. Plan B (€0.25/day + €0.32/kWh) = €1,211/yr. Plan A saves €27/yr.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Enter your numbers
Fill in the inputs for Electricity Tariff Comparison. Defaults are realistic starting points — replace them with your actual figures.
- 2Understand the calculation
For each plan, we calculate annual cost as (standing charge × 365) + (usage × unit rate), then sum over the comparison period with inflation applied.
- 3Review results and scenarios
Check metrics, cost breakdown, comparison tables, and best / expected / worst scenarios. Use sliders to stress-test assumptions.
- 4Decide with the verdict
Read the decision engine recommendation and FAQ. Example: 3,500 kWh/yr: Plan A (€0.45/day + €0.28/kWh) = €1,184/yr. Plan B (€0.25/day + €0.32/kWh) = €1,211/yr. Plan A saves €27/yr.
Factors to Consider
- Low usage favours lower standing charges
- High usage favours lower unit rates
- Fixed vs variable tariffs behave differently over time
- Time-of-use tariffs reward off-peak usage
- Green energy tariffs may cost slightly more
Common Mistakes
- Comparing only unit rates and ignoring standing charges
- Using estimated instead of actual annual usage from your bill
- Forgetting exit fees when switching mid-contract
- Not checking if rates are introductory offers that expire
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better — low standing charge or low unit rate?+
It depends on usage. Under ~2,500 kWh/year, lower standing charges win. Above ~4,500 kWh/year, lower unit rates win. Use this calculator with your actual usage.
Should I switch energy providers?+
If the saving exceeds €100/year and there are no exit fees, switching usually makes sense. Many households save €200-400/year by comparing tariffs.
What is a standing charge?+
A fixed daily fee covering grid connection and metering, paid regardless of how much electricity you use.
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important financial decisions.
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