Energy tariffs with free weekend electricity in the UK
Compare whole-of-market tariffs designed for weekend-heavy households. Tell us about your home energy and we’ll help you check whether a free weekend electricity tariff could reduce your bill versus standard and time-of-use options.
- Whole-of-market comparison for UK home energy (not business)
- See if “free weekends” beat fixed, variable and EV-style time-of-use tariffs
- Fast form—get matched using your postcode and usage basics
- Clear guidance on standing charges, peak rates and fair-use limits
Availability varies by supplier and region. “Free” usually means £0/kWh for electricity at set weekend times—standing charge and any weekday/peak rates still apply.
Compare UK energy tariffs with free weekend electricity
If most of your electricity use happens on Saturdays and Sundays—think washing, tumble drying, batch cooking, EV charging, or running a heat pump harder—then a free weekend electricity tariff can look attractive. The key is whether the weekday/peak unit rate and standing charge outweigh what you save at the weekend.
EnergyPlus is a whole-of-market comparison service for UK home energy. Use the form to share your postcode and current setup. We’ll help you check tariffs that advertise £0/kWh for specific weekend hours (where available) and compare them against fixed, variable and other time-of-use deals.
Tip: A “free weekend” tariff can be poor value if you have high weekday consumption (working from home, electric heating, lots of daytime appliance use). Comparing properly is essential.
Good to know: Many weekend-free tariffs require a smart meter to track time bands accurately.
What is a “free weekend electricity” tariff?
A free weekend electricity tariff is a type of time-of-use energy deal where your electricity unit rate is set to £0/kWh during defined weekend periods (for example, all day Saturday and Sunday, or certain hours). Outside of those “free” hours you’ll typically pay a higher unit rate than a standard tariff, plus a daily standing charge.
These tariffs can be useful if you can move a meaningful share of your electricity use into the free window—without increasing overall consumption.
What’s “free”
Electricity usage at specific weekend times may be billed at £0/kWh (supplier terms apply).
What still costs
Standing charge and any electricity used outside the free window—often at a higher rate.
What to check
Exact weekend hours, fair-use rules, eligibility, contract length, and exit fees.
Who free weekend electricity tariffs suit best
These tariffs aren’t a universal win. They tend to work when you can reliably concentrate flexible usage into weekend hours and keep weekday usage lean.
Good fit
- Households that run appliances mainly at weekends (laundry, dishwasher, batch cooking)
- EV owners who can schedule most charging for Saturday/Sunday
- Families who are out during weekdays and home at weekends
- Homes with smart appliances/timers that can shift load safely
Often not a good fit
- High weekday daytime use (home working, lots of cooking, constant appliance use)
- Electric heating patterns that can’t be shifted to weekends
- Very low electricity usage overall (benefit may be minimal)
- Anyone tempted to use extra power “because it’s free”
If you’re mainly looking for cheaper off-peak electricity (not just weekends), you may also want to compare wider time-of-use tariffs alongside “free weekend” deals.
How free weekend electricity works (and what to check)
Suppliers define the weekend “free” window and the pricing outside it. Before switching, confirm the rules so you can estimate true costs.
- Check the weekend hours. Some tariffs cover 00:00–23:59 on Saturday/Sunday; others cover set blocks (e.g. overnight plus daytime). Your usage needs to line up with those hours.
- Compare the peak/weekday unit rate. “Free” weekends are often offset by a higher unit rate at other times.
- Review standing charge. A higher standing charge can eat into savings, especially for low-usage homes.
- Look for fair-use limits and exclusions. Some products may include conditions designed to prevent excessive usage or reselling power.
- Confirm meter requirements. Most need a smart meter (or an approved multi-rate setup) to record time bands accurately.
- Check contract terms. Fixed term length, exit fees, and what happens when the deal ends.
How to estimate whether you’ll actually save
The simplest way to sanity-check a free weekend tariff is to compare your likely weekend kWh at £0/kWh against the extra you might pay during the week (plus any standing charge difference).
A practical checklist
- Weekend usage: estimate kWh you can shift into free hours (EV charging, laundry, dishwasher, cooking).
- Weekday increase: compare the weekday/peak unit rate with your current tariff.
- Standing charge: compare daily standing charges (electricity and gas, if dual fuel).
- Behaviour change: plan how you’ll schedule appliances safely (timers, smart plugs, EV scheduling).
Common savings opportunities
- Charge an EV mainly on weekends if your mileage allows.
- Run high-load appliances (tumble dryer, washing machine) in the free window.
- Batch cook and use the oven at weekends more often.
- Move discretionary usage (e.g. dehumidifier runs) to weekend periods.
Safety reminder: If you run appliances on timers, follow manufacturer guidance and avoid leaving high-heat appliances unattended.
Eligibility and availability (UK homes)
Not every supplier offers free weekend electricity, and availability can vary by region, meter type and payment method. Here’s what usually matters when checking options.
Smart meter
Most tariffs need a smart meter to apply the correct rates by time band. If you don’t have one, we’ll show suitable alternatives too.
Region & network
Unit rates and standing charges differ across UK regions. Your postcode helps match correct pricing.
Payment method
Monthly Direct Debit tariffs typically have the widest availability, but we can also check options for prepayment where possible.
Moving home? If you’re switching around a move, tell us in the form notes when we call you back so we can time your switch appropriately.
Common mistakes when choosing a free weekend electricity tariff
A “£0/kWh weekend” headline is easy to overvalue. Avoid these common pitfalls so you can compare on total cost.
Mistakes that reduce savings
- Ignoring the weekday unit rate (the main cost driver for many homes).
- Forgetting the standing charge applies every day, including weekends.
- Assuming all weekend hours are free (hours can be restricted).
- Not checking whether your meter type can support time bands.
What to do instead
- Estimate how many kWh you can truly shift into the free window.
- Compare your total weekly pattern (weekday + weekend), not just weekend cost.
- Check contract details: length, exit fees, and what happens after the fix ends.
- Ask for an apples-to-apples comparison against your current tariff.
FAQs: free weekend electricity tariffs in the UK
Are free weekend electricity tariffs really free?
They can include £0/kWh electricity during specified weekend hours, but you’ll still pay the standing charge and any electricity used outside the free window at the tariff’s standard/peak rate. Always read the exact time bands and terms.
Do I need a smart meter?
In many cases, yes. Time-of-use pricing is usually applied using smart meter readings. If you don’t have a smart meter, we can still compare other tariffs that may suit your usage pattern.
Will this help if I have an EV?
Potentially. If you can do the majority of charging at weekends within the free hours, it may be strong value. However, some EV-focused time-of-use tariffs offer low overnight rates across the week—so it’s worth comparing both.
What about gas?
“Free weekend” tends to apply to electricity only. If you want dual fuel, we’ll compare the combined cost, including gas unit rates and standing charge, so you can see the overall household impact.
Can I switch back if it doesn’t work out?
You can usually switch again, but fixed tariffs may include exit fees if you leave before the end of the term. We’ll help you check key terms before you commit.
How quickly can I switch?
Switching timelines vary by supplier and your situation (including debt, meter type, and tenancy). In many standard cases, switches complete in a matter of days to a few weeks. We’ll advise on likely timescales during the comparison.
Trusted support for UK home energy comparisons
When a tariff has time bands and conditions, getting the details right matters. Here’s what customers typically value about a guided, whole-of-market comparison.
“I thought free weekends would automatically be cheaper. The comparison showed my weekday rate would jump, so I chose a better time-of-use option instead.”
“Clear explanation of standing charges and the weekend window. It helped us plan when to run appliances.”
“We charge our EV mostly on Sundays. The adviser confirmed the time bands and found a tariff that suited our mileage.”
What we compare: supplier pricing (unit rates + standing charges), contract terms, meter compatibility, and practical fit for your usage pattern.
Ready to see if free weekend electricity will cut your bill?
Submit your details and we’ll help you compare whole-of-market options based on your postcode, meter and home usage pattern—including whether a weekend-free window actually makes sense for you.
Home energy only. Tariff availability and “free” periods depend on supplier terms, region and meter compatibility.
What you’ll need
- Your postcode
- Fuel type (electricity or dual fuel)
- Meter type (smart/standard/Economy 7)
- Rough idea of weekend usage (EV, laundry, etc.)
Back to Energy Cost Saving Advice