EnergieCosts and contracts · Austria
Unit rate and standing charge: calculate electricity and gas costs
By EnergieFinder · Sources checked:
The short answer
The unit rate depends on consumed kWh; the standing charge is fixed. Calculate the annual energy component as annual consumption × unit rate plus annual standing charge. Account separately for network charges, other levies and discounts as specified in the offer.
First put the units on the same basis
Check whether the unit rate is in cents or euros per kWh. 15 cents equals €0.15. Multiply a monthly standing charge by twelve for twelve months; use the appropriate duration for other periods. Compare only amounts on the same tax basis. Check whether the price sheet covers energy costs or total costs.
Worked example: lower unit rate, higher standing charge
Assume 2,500 kWh and two fictional prices on the same tax basis: A charges 15 ct/kWh and €60 annually; B charges 14 ct/kWh and €100 annually. Energy costs alone: A = 2,500 × €0.15 + €60 = €435. B = 2,500 × €0.14 + €100 = €450. The lower unit rate alone does not decide this example.
| At 2,500 kWh a year | Fictional A | Fictional B |
|---|---|---|
| Unit price | 15 ct/kWh | 14 ct/kWh |
| Annual standing charge | 60 € | 100 € |
| Annual energy costs | 435 € | 450 € |
Same tax basis, unchanged prices. Excludes network charges, other levies and bonuses. No personal savings forecast.
A template for your own cost comparison
Record five items per offer: consumption in kWh, unit rate in €/kWh, standing charge in €/year, tax basis and included costs. Keep any one-off bonus on a separate line. The example totals exclude network charges, other levies and bonuses. They are not tariff offers, current market prices or personal savings forecasts. Base your decision on the complete current offer documents.
Your checklist
Tick off items as you prepare. Your ticks are not saved.
Read the original sources
The factual information was checked against these sources. Checklists and labelled examples are our own presentation. Your supplier’s current documents govern your contract.
Your next step
Prepare your comparison here. Compare current electricity and gas tariffs in the E-Control tariff calculator.