Is an Economy 7 tariff still worth it in the UK?
Find out if Economy 7 can still cut your bills in 2025. Compare whole-of-market tariffs with EnergyPlus and see whether a cheaper night rate suits your home, heating and usage pattern.
- Check if you use enough electricity overnight to benefit (typically 35–45%+).
- Understand the day vs night unit rates and the standing charge in plain English.
- Compare Economy 7 against single-rate tariffs across UK suppliers.
- Get a personalised recommendation based on your meter type and routine.
Home energy only. Whole-of-market comparison service. Estimates depend on your meter, region, usage and supplier availability.
Compare Economy 7 vs single-rate tariffs (whole-of-market)
Economy 7 can still be worth it in the UK, but only for the right homes. The night rate can be much cheaper, while the day rate is usually higher. The key question is how much electricity you can reliably shift into the night window.
Use the form to get a tailored comparison across UK suppliers. If Economy 7 doesn’t stack up for your usage pattern, we’ll help you spot strong single-rate alternatives too.
What we’ll use to judge if Economy 7 is worth it
- Your current meter (Economy 7 / smart / standard) and tariff type
- Where you live (rates vary by region and network area)
- Approximate usage split: day vs night electricity
- Heating & hot water setup (e.g. storage heaters, immersion heater)
Get your personalised comparison
What is an Economy 7 tariff?
Economy 7 is a two-rate electricity tariff that charges one price for daytime electricity and a cheaper price for electricity used overnight for a set number of hours (usually 7 hours). It’s designed for homes that can use a large chunk of electricity at night.
It’s most commonly linked with storage heaters and immersion heaters, which can charge/heat water overnight and release heat through the day.
Economy 7 in one sentence
You pay less per kWh at night but typically more per kWh in the day compared with a standard single-rate tariff.
Why people are asking “is it still worth it?”
- Price differences change: the gap between day and night rates can widen or shrink by supplier and region.
- More smart tariffs: some households can access time-of-use options that better match their routine than a fixed 7-hour window.
- Home tech is different: heat pumps, EV chargers and smart home timers can shift usage, but only if the tariff timings fit.
- Lifestyle shifts: working from home often increases daytime usage, which can reduce Economy 7 savings.
When is Economy 7 worth it in the UK?
Economy 7 is usually worth considering if you can consistently use a significant portion of your electricity during the cheaper night hours. As a rule of thumb, many households start to benefit when around 35–45% or more of electricity use happens overnight — but the true breakeven depends on the exact rates you’re offered.
Good fit
- Storage heaters set up to charge overnight
- Immersion heater scheduled for night hours
- EV charging mostly overnight
- Dishwasher / washing / tumble dryer often run at night
Maybe
- Smart meter but unsure of your day/night split
- Heat pump with a hot water cylinder (can sometimes pre-heat overnight)
- Shift work or night-time home occupancy
- High electricity use overall, but flexible timing
Often not worth it
- Most usage is daytime (WFH, electric cooking, gaming, daytime laundry)
- Gas central heating and low overnight electricity use
- No timer controls for major loads
- You regularly miss the night window
Tip: If you have a smart meter, your supplier may show a breakdown by time of day in your app or online account. That’s the quickest way to check how close you are to the Economy 7 breakeven point.
Quick check: does Economy 7 suit your household?
Use these questions to sense-check whether you’re likely to save. If you answer “yes” to most, it’s worth running a whole-of-market comparison.
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Do you have (or can you get) a two-rate meter?
Economy 7 needs a meter that records day and night usage separately. -
Can you use at least ~35–45% of electricity overnight?
Storage heaters, immersion heaters and EV charging can push you into the right range. -
Can your biggest loads be scheduled reliably?
Timers, smart plugs and appliance delay-start features help avoid accidentally paying daytime rates. -
Are you comfortable with slightly higher daytime unit rates?
If you’re home all day, the higher day rate can outweigh night savings.
Economy 7 rates, night hours and what to look for
Economy 7 always has two unit rates (p/kWh): day and night. The night period is usually 7 hours, but the exact start and end time depends on your meter and region. Some meters switch at different times in summer/winter.
What to compare (beyond the headline)
Typical night-time windows (guide)
Night hours vary. These are common examples only — always confirm your exact switching times with your supplier/meter display.
Practical check: Look at your meter display late evening and again after midnight to see when it switches between Rate 1 / Rate 2 (labels differ by meter).
Common Economy 7 mistakes that cost households money
1) Not knowing your night hours
Running appliances at 22:30 thinking it’s “night rate” can mean you pay the higher day rate. Confirm your switching time on the meter or with the supplier.
2) Using more electricity in the day
If your routine changes (e.g. working from home), the higher day rate may outweigh night savings. Re-check your usage split periodically.
3) Storage heaters set incorrectly
Storage heaters can be economical when charged overnight and used efficiently. Incorrect input/output settings can lead to costly top-up heating during the day.
Avoid a surprise bill
- Use delay-start settings so appliances run fully inside the night window.
- Schedule hot water heating (immersion) overnight where possible.
- If you’ve switched to single-rate, check whether your meter setup needs updating.
Economy 7 vs single-rate: what’s better for most UK homes?
For many households without storage heaters, a single-rate tariff can be simpler and sometimes cheaper overall — especially if most electricity is used during the day. But if you can reliably move major loads overnight, Economy 7 may still reduce costs.
The best approach is to compare like-for-like using your estimated usage and timings, rather than relying on averages.
Regional considerations across the UK
Economy 7 prices can vary by region because electricity network costs differ across the country. You may see different day/night rates (and standing charges) in London vs the Midlands, Scotland, Wales or the South West.
Postcode matters
We use your postcode to pull the correct regional rates, so you compare like-for-like.
Supplier availability differs
Not every supplier offers every tariff in every region, especially for specific meter setups.
Meter timings can vary
Economy 7 switching times are not universal. Confirm your meter’s schedule before changing habits.
Economy 7 FAQs (UK)
Is Economy 7 cheaper than normal electricity?
It can be, but only if you use enough electricity during the night rate. The day rate is usually higher than a single-rate tariff, so households with mostly daytime use may pay more overall.
How do I know if I’m on an Economy 7 meter?
Your bill may show two electricity unit rates (often labelled Day/Night or Rate 1/Rate 2). Many meters have two registers. If you’re unsure, we can help you identify it during the comparison.
Can I switch from Economy 7 to a single-rate tariff?
Often yes, but it depends on your meter and supplier processes. Sometimes a meter reconfiguration or exchange is required. Always check potential fees and lead times before switching.
Do Economy 7 times change when the clocks change?
Some meters do, some don’t. That’s why it’s important to verify your exact night window (especially around BST/GMT changes) to avoid using electricity at the wrong rate.
Is Economy 7 only for storage heaters?
No, but storage heaters are one of the most common reasons it works well. EV charging, hot water heating and scheduled appliances can also make it worthwhile.
What if I’m not sure how much I use at night?
Start with your meter type and lifestyle. If you have a smart meter, you can often view hourly usage in your supplier app. Otherwise, we’ll help estimate your split as part of the comparison.
Need a quick answer? Fill in the form above and we’ll compare Economy 7 and single-rate tariffs using your postcode and meter details.
Why homeowners use EnergyPlus
Whole-of-market view
We compare across a wide range of UK home energy tariffs so you can see how Economy 7 stacks up against single-rate options.
Built for real-life usage
We focus on the details that affect bills: day/night split, standing charge, regional pricing and whether the tariff suits your routine.
Clear next steps
If Economy 7 isn’t right, we’ll point you towards alternatives that could be better for your home, without jargon.
What customers say
“I thought Economy 7 would be cheaper automatically. The comparison showed a single-rate deal worked better for my daytime usage.”
“We have storage heaters and an immersion heater. Switching to the right Economy 7 tariff made a noticeable difference.”
“The night hours were different from what I assumed. Glad I checked before changing how we use appliances.”
Testimonials are illustrative of common customer experiences and do not guarantee savings. Savings vary by tariff, region and usage.
Ready to see if Economy 7 is still worth it for your home?
Complete the comparison form and we’ll check Economy 7 against single-rate tariffs using your postcode, meter type and heating setup.
- Whole-of-market comparison
- UK home energy only
- Clear guidance on day/night rates and timings
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