Time-of-Use Electricity Tariffs for UK Households 2026

Economy 7, Economy 10, agile pricing and smart off-peak tariffs — how they work, who benefits, and whether switching saves money as bills rise in July 2026.

What is a time-of-use electricity tariff?

A time-of-use (TOU) tariff charges different unit rates depending on when you use electricity. Cheap windows — typically overnight or at weekends — can be 7p to 12p/kWh, while peak rates during evenings and weekday mornings are higher than you would pay on a flat-rate deal. The principle is straightforward: shift your biggest electricity loads (EV charging, running a dishwasher, heating a hot water cylinder) into the cheap window, and your bill falls.

All time-of-use tariffs require a smart meter — without one, your supplier cannot read half-hourly or segment-level data. If you do not have a smart meter, you can request a free installation from your current supplier before switching.

Economy 7 and Economy 10

Economy 7 is the original TOU tariff, still available across most of the UK. You get seven hours of cheap electricity overnight — typically between midnight and 7 am (local time varies by region and meter type). The day rate is higher than the Ofgem price cap unit rate, so the tariff only pays off if roughly 40% or more of your electricity use falls in the cheap window.

Economy 10 extends the cheap window to ten hours, splitting them across overnight and a couple of afternoon hours. It is less widely available and mainly suited to homes with large thermal stores or night-storage heaters that need more top-up capacity.

Both are metered on legacy two-rate meters or on smart meters set up in Economy 7 mode. Switching away to a single-rate tariff is straightforward, but you may need a meter reconfiguration if you switch back.

Smart off-peak and agile (half-hourly) tariffs

Modern smart-meter tariffs go further than Economy 7. Two main variants exist in July 2026:

• Smart off-peak tariffs — fixed cheap slots (often overnight plus certain weekend hours) at a guaranteed low rate, with a standard rate the rest of the time. Some also offer an export rate if you have solar panels. Octopus Go is one well-known example; E.ON Next and OVO offer similar products.
• Agile / half-hourly tariffs — the unit rate changes every 30 minutes, tracking the wholesale electricity spot price. On windy or sunny days rates can drop close to zero or even go negative (you get paid to use electricity). On cold, still evenings they can spike well above the cap unit rate. They suit confident, tech-comfortable households who can act on price signals and have some automation (smart EV charger, home battery, smart appliances).

Both types require a smart meter that supports half-hourly reads (SMETS2 or a properly-enrolled SMETS1 meter). Your supplier will confirm compatibility before you switch.

Time-of-use tariff comparison

Who benefits and who should avoid time-of-use tariffs

As a rough rule, Economy 7 pays off when 40% or more of your electricity falls in the cheap seven-hour window. For smart off-peak tariffs, the maths is simpler: calculate how many kWh you can reliably move overnight (EV charging is the easiest: a 40 kWh charge at 7p instead of 26p saves roughly £7.60 per charge).

How the July 2026 price cap rise interacts with time-of-use tariffs

the Ofgem cap is £1,663/yr. The electricity standing charge rises to 57.19p/day and the unit rate to 26.11p/kWh (SVT rates). Gas rises more sharply — roughly 24%.

For TOU tariff holders this matters in two ways. First, the day/peak rate on your tariff may be set as a percentage of, or relative to, the cap — so it rises too. Second, the gap between your cheap overnight rate (often 7–12p/kWh) and the new peak rate widens, which increases the per-unit saving on every kWh you shift. EV owners in particular should see larger absolute savings from off-peak charging from July onwards.

The cheapest 12-month fixed deals on our live panel are typically priced below the £1,663 cap, several with no exit fees — run your postcode through the comparison on this page for today's exact prices.

If you are currently on a standard variable tariff and paying the full cap rate, July is a strong prompt to compare alternatives — both flat fixes below the new cap rate and smart off-peak deals that cut overnight usage costs.

How to switch to a time-of-use tariff

1. Check your smart meter. Log in to your supplier app or call them to confirm your meter supports half-hourly reads. If not, book a free upgrade.
2. Assess your usage pattern. Review your smart meter data (available through your supplier app or In-Home Display). Identify what proportion of your electricity falls between midnight and 7 am, and what loads you can shift.
3. Compare tariffs. Use an independent comparison (such as EnergyPlus) to see which TOU deals are available at your address. Reputable suppliers offering TOU products in 2026 include Octopus Energy, E.ON Next, EDF, OVO, British Gas and Good Energy.
4. Factor in standing charges. Some TOU tariffs carry higher daily standing charges. Always compare total annual cost — unit rate savings can be offset by a higher standing charge.
5. Switch. Supply your details and chosen tariff. Under the Energy Switch Guarantee, your switch completes within five working days. You have a 14-day cooling-off period if you change your mind.
6. Automate your loads. Set your EV charger, washing machine and dishwasher to run overnight. If you have a home battery, programme its charge schedule to fill during the cheap window and discharge during peak hours.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a smart meter to get a time-of-use tariff?

Yes, for the vast majority of TOU products including all smart off-peak and agile tariffs. Economy 7 can technically run on an older two-rate meter, but suppliers are increasingly moving new Economy 7 customers onto SMETS2 smart meters anyway. Request a free smart meter from your current supplier before you compare TOU deals.

What is the difference between Economy 7 and a smart off-peak tariff?

Economy 7 has a fixed seven-hour overnight window set by the distribution network — you cannot choose when it falls. A smart off-peak tariff (such as Octopus Go) has a defined cheap slot (often 00:30 to 04:30) that is the same every night, making it easier to schedule EV charging and battery storage. Smart tariffs also typically come with a companion app showing your usage in real time.

Can I get a time-of-use tariff if I am a renter?

Yes, if your tenancy agreement does not restrict meter changes. You need your landlord's permission to install a smart meter in some properties, but many landlords agree — there is no cost to them and no physical alteration to the property. Once the meter is in place, switching tariff is solely your decision as the named bill-payer.

Is an agile tariff suitable for most households?

Not automatically. Agile tariffs pass through the wholesale spot price every 30 minutes, which can spike significantly on cold, still winter evenings. They work well for households with home automation — a smart EV charger that reacts to price signals, or a battery that charges when prices are low and discharges at peak. Without automation, keeping track of half-hourly prices is impractical and you risk higher bills.

Will the July 2026 cap rise make time-of-use tariffs more attractive?

Broadly yes. With the SVT electricity rate rising to 26.11p/kWh, the difference between that and a typical overnight rate of 7-12p/kWh grows. EV owners shifting a full 40 kWh charge overnight save more in absolute pence from July than they did under the April-June cap.

What happens if I cannot shift enough usage to the cheap window?

You could end up paying more overall. The higher day rate on TOU tariffs is designed to offset the cheap off-peak rate — if you pay the day rate for most of your consumption, your bill will exceed what you would pay on a flat tariff. Run a realistic audit of your off-peak eligible loads before switching.

Can I combine solar panels with a time-of-use tariff?

Yes, and this is one of the most effective combinations available. Solar generates free electricity during the day; a home battery stores the surplus; a smart TOU tariff charges the battery overnight at low rates on cloudy days. Some tariffs also offer a smart export tariff that pays you for electricity you export to the grid. Adding solar and battery storage alongside a TOU tariff is an effective long-term bill reduction strategy.

Which suppliers offer time-of-use tariffs in July 2026?

Octopus Energy (Octopus Go, Intelligent Octopus, Agile Octopus), E.ON Next, EDF, OVO Energy, British Gas and Good Energy all offer TOU or smart off-peak products. Check availability at your address using the comparison on this page, as some products are postcode-restricted.