Npower: Out of Contract (Default) Rates - October 2025 Update
Npower Out of Contract Rates October 2025
Default and deemed charges explained
When your Npower contract expires, you'll move to their Default or Deemed rates depending on your circumstances. Default rates apply to most businesses, while Deemed rates are for specific situations. Both rate types are higher than competitive market rates.
Npower Default vs Deemed Rates
Default rates apply when your fixed contract expires and you haven't switched - these are Npower's standard out-of-contract rates. Deemed rates are slightly lower emergency rates for specific circumstances like failed supplier transfers or billing disputes. Both are significantly more expensive than competitive fixed-rate contracts available in the market.
β‘ Current Npower Out of Contract Rates
β οΈ Default Rates - Premium Pricing
These are Npower's penalty rates applied when contracts expire. Default rates are significantly more expensive than Deemed rates and are designed to encourage businesses to sign new contracts or switch suppliers.
π₯ Gas Default Rates (Non-Microbusiness)
| Band | Annual Consumption | Unit Rate | Standing Charge | vs Deemed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | 0 - 73,200 kWh | 18.418p per kWh | £1.246 per day | +5.00p/kWh |
| Band 2 | 73,201 - 732,000 kWh | 17.005p per kWh | £7.739 per day | +5.00p/kWh |
| Band 3 | >732,000 kWh | 16.824p per kWh | £26.079 per day | +5.00p/kWh |
β‘ Electricity Default Rates (Non-Microbusiness)
Non Half-Hourly
| Meter Type | Unit Rate | Standing Charge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Time Units | 41.621p per kWh | £2.5976 per day | Includes all network charges, levies & MOP/DA/DC costs |
Half-Hourly (Time-of-Use Pricing)
| Time Period | Unit Rate Range | Standing Charge | Capacity Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night (00:30 - 07:30) | 38.511-39.545p per kWh | £18.26-23.06 per day | 7.493-7.797p per kVA/day |
| Non-Business Day | 45.768-47.102p per kWh | ||
| Nov-Mar Business Day | 53.502-55.163p per kWh | ||
| Apr-Oct Business Day | 42.750-43.953p per kWh |
βΉοΈ Deemed Rates - Emergency Pricing
Deemed rates apply in specific circumstances such as failed supplier transfers, billing disputes, or emergency supply situations. While lower than Default rates, they're still significantly above competitive market rates.
π₯ Gas Deemed Rates (Non-Microbusiness)
| Band | Annual Consumption | Unit Rate | Standing Charge | vs Default |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | 0 - 73,200 kWh | 13.418p per kWh | £1.246 per day | -5.00p/kWh |
| Band 2 | 73,201 - 732,000 kWh | 12.005p per kWh | £7.739 per day | -5.00p/kWh |
| Band 3 | >732,000 kWh | 11.824p per kWh | £26.079 per day | -5.00p/kWh |
β‘ Electricity Deemed Rates (Non-Microbusiness)
Note: For electricity, Npower's Deemed and Default rates are identical. The distinction only applies to gas supplies.
Non Half-Hourly
| Meter Type | Unit Rate | Standing Charge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Time Units | 41.621p per kWh | £2.5976 per day | Same as Default rates for electricity |
Half-Hourly (Time-of-Use Pricing)
| Time Period | Unit Rate Range | Standing Charge | Capacity Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night (00:30 - 07:30) | 38.511-39.545p per kWh | £18.26-23.06 per day | 7.493-7.797p per kVA/day |
| Non-Business Day | 45.768-47.102p per kWh | ||
| Nov-Mar Business Day | 53.502-55.163p per kWh | ||
| Apr-Oct Business Day | 42.750-43.953p per kWh |
All rates exclude CCL and VAT. Half-Hourly rates include all network charges, levies, and system costs but exclude MOP/DA/DC charges. Microbusiness rates are slightly higher for some bands.
Download Complete Rate Schedules
Get the full Npower rate schedules including all bands, voltage levels, and microbusiness rates.
π₯ Gas Deemed & Default Rates π₯ Electricity Default Ratesπ Key Takeaways
- Default rates are significantly higher — Gas default rates are about 5p/kWh more than deemed rates
- Complex time-of-use pricing — Half-hourly electricity rates vary dramatically by time and season
- High standing charges for large gas users — Band 3 customers pay over £260/day in standing charges
- All-inclusive electricity rates — NHH rates include all network charges and levies (except CCL)
- No price protection — Rates can change, leaving businesses exposed to market volatility
Premium Pricing Alert
Npower's Default rates are designed to be expensive - they're penalty rates to encourage businesses to sign new contracts or switch suppliers. Gas default rates are about 37% higher than deemed rates, and electricity rates at 41.621p/kWh are well above current market levels. Most businesses can save significantly by switching to competitive fixed-rate contracts.
π° Calculate Your Npower Out of Contract Costs
Estimate your annual cost on Npower's Default rates. We'll calculate based on the appropriate gas band or electricity meter type. Includes all levies and VAT.
Find this on your latest bill
Your Applicable Rate
0.00 p/kWh
Band: —
Standing Charge: £ — /day
Annual Cost (Npower Default)
£ 0.00
Average Monthly Cost
£ 0.00 /month
Breakdown:
β οΈ Note: This calculation uses simplified rates. Actual Npower bills may include additional charges depending on your specific meter configuration and business type. For exact costs, contact Npower directly.
π Enter your consumption above to calculate
π What You Should Do Next
Check Your Current Rate Type
Contact Npower to confirm whether you're on Default or Deemed rates. Default rates are significantly more expensive.
Calculate Total Annual Cost
Factor in all charges including the high standing charges for gas customers. Band 3 gas customers face over £9,500 annually in standing charges alone.
Compare Market Alternatives
Get quotes from competitive suppliers. Fixed-rate contracts often provide significant savings compared to Npower's variable out-of-contract rates.
Switch Without Penalties
Being on out-of-contract rates means no exit fees. You can switch immediately to secure better rates and price certainty.
Don't Pay Premium Prices
Npower's Default rates are designed to be expensive. Compare your options and see how much you could save with competitive fixed-rate contracts.
β Frequently Asked Questions
Default rates apply when your contract expires and are Npower's standard out-of-contract charges. Deemed rates are emergency rates for specific circumstances like failed switches or billing disputes. Default rates are significantly higher - for gas, they're about 5p/kWh more expensive than deemed rates. Both are much higher than competitive market rates.
Npower uses a tiered structure where Band 3 gas customers (>732,000 kWh annually) pay £26.079 per day in standing charges - that's over £9,500 per year in fixed daily costs alone. This structure makes Npower particularly expensive for high-consumption businesses and is why many large gas users switch to suppliers with more reasonable standing charge structures.
For Non Half-Hourly electricity, yes - the 41.621p/kWh rate includes network charges (DUoS/TNUoS), environmental levies (RO/FIT/CfD), and meter services (MOP/DA/DC). Only CCL and VAT are additional. Half-Hourly rates also include most charges but exclude MOP/DA/DC services which are billed separately.
Yes, being on out-of-contract rates means you're not bound by a fixed-term agreement and can switch suppliers immediately without exit fees or penalties. This flexibility is one of the few advantages of being on these rates. Most businesses find significant savings by switching to competitive fixed-rate contracts.
Npower's out-of-contract rates are significantly above market averages. Electricity at 41.621p/kWh and gas default rates of 16.824-18.418p/kWh are premium prices designed to encourage customers to switch or renew contracts. Most competitive suppliers offer fixed rates 15-30% lower than these levels.
Our service is completely free to you. We're paid commission by energy suppliers, which is fully disclosed in your contract. We often access better wholesale rates than suppliers offer to direct customers, meaning you can get lower prices through us even with our commission included. We also handle all the paperwork and switching process for you.
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