Best Economy 10 tariff rates UK (and how to pick one)

Economy 10 can cut heating costs for some homes by shifting more use into cheaper off-peak hours — but it’s not always available and it’s not always the cheapest overall. This guide explains today’s best-value Economy 10 deals in the UK, what “good” looks like, and how to compare safely.

  • See what a competitive Economy 10 rate looks like (off-peak, peak and standing charge)
  • Check whether Economy 10 is available for your meter, region and payment method
  • Compare Economy 10 vs single-rate and Economy 7 using realistic examples
Check Economy 10 deals for my home How Economy 10 works

Rates vary by region, meter type and payment method. Examples on this page are estimates for guidance only.

Fast answer: what are the best Economy 10 tariff rates in the UK?

There isn’t one single “best Economy 10 tariff” for everyone because prices depend on your region, payment method (direct debit vs prepay), meter type (traditional multi-register vs smart), and whether suppliers offer Economy 10 where you live. In practice, the best-value Economy 10 deal is usually the one that combines:

Low off-peak unit rate

The bigger the gap vs your day rate, the more Economy 10 can help (especially for storage heaters and immersion).

Reasonable peak unit rate

Some Economy 10 tariffs have a much higher day rate. If you can’t shift enough usage, you may pay more overall.

Standing charge that doesn’t wipe out the gain

Standing charges vary by region. A low unit rate can be offset by a higher daily standing charge.

Editor’s view: If you have electric storage heating (or heat a lot of water electrically) and can reliably push a large share of consumption into off-peak windows, Economy 10 can be worth comparing. If you’re on gas central heating and only use a little electricity for appliances, Economy 10 often isn’t a good fit.

Key takeaways (quick checklist)

  • Economy 10 availability is patchy: not every supplier supports it in every region or on every smart meter set-up.
  • Off-peak times are set by your meter, not your supplier, and can differ by area and meter configuration.
  • Compare on annual cost (or monthly cost) using your actual split of off-peak vs peak usage — not just the cheapest-looking night rate.
  • Check your heating system: Economy 10 is mainly designed for storage heaters and other electric heating loads.

How Economy 10 works (UK)

Economy 10 is a multi-rate electricity tariff that offers around 10 hours of cheaper “off-peak” electricity spread across the day and night (exact timings vary). It’s commonly used in all-electric homes with:

  • Storage heaters
  • Immersion heater / hot water cylinder
  • Panel heaters in some properties (less ideal unless usage aligns with off-peak)

Unlike Economy 7 (typically 7 off-peak hours overnight), Economy 10 may include daytime off-peak blocks to help “top up” heat and hot water.

Common off-peak patterns (examples)

Your meter sets the times. Examples you might see include:

  • Split blocks: e.g. 3 hours afternoon + 2 hours evening + 5 hours overnight
  • Two blocks: e.g. 3 hours daytime + 7 hours overnight

Important: Don’t assume the same times as a neighbour. Ask your supplier to confirm the off-peak schedule for your exact meter configuration.

What you need to be eligible

A compatible electricity meter

Typically a multi-register meter. Some smart meters can support multi-rate, but supplier support varies.

A supplier/tariff that offers Economy 10

Economy 10 is less widely offered than standard single-rate tariffs and some Economy 7 tariffs.

Usage that suits off-peak hours

The tariff works best when a meaningful share of your electricity is used during the off-peak windows.

Economy 10 and EV charging: Some EV owners consider Economy 10, but many EV-specific tariffs focus on a single cheap overnight block. Economy 10 can still work, but only if the tariff is available for your meter and the overall annual cost stacks up.

Compare Economy 10 tariffs for your home (whole of market)

Because Economy 10 pricing is highly regional and depends on meter set-up, the most reliable way to find the best-value rates is to compare using your details. We’ll show available options and help you sense-check the off-peak schedule and costs.

What we’ll check for you

  • Economy 10 availability for your postcode region
  • Likely eligibility based on your meter type and payment method
  • Estimated annual cost (standing charge + peak + off-peak), so you can compare fairly
  • Whether a single-rate or Economy 7 tariff could be better value for your usage pattern

Tip: If you can, have a recent electricity bill handy (it may show day/night registers or Economy 10 readings).

Get your Economy 10 comparison

Start your comparison

By submitting, you confirm this is for a UK home energy comparison. We’ll use your details to provide quotes and contact you about your comparison. You can opt out at any time.

Before you switch: If you currently have Economy 10, ask the new supplier to confirm they will support your exact meter set-up and keep (or correctly reconfigure) your registers and off-peak schedule. This helps avoid billing issues.

What “good” Economy 10 rates look like (and how to compare)

Use the table below as a sense-check. “Best” usually means the lowest estimated annual cost for your usage split — not simply the cheapest off-peak unit rate.

What to compare Why it matters What “good” often looks like (guide) What to watch for
Off-peak unit rate (p/kWh) This is where storage heating and hot water can be cheaper. Clearly lower than the peak rate; a meaningful discount (exact values vary by region). An attractive off-peak rate paired with a very high peak rate.
Peak unit rate (p/kWh) Most daytime appliance use is billed here. Not dramatically higher than single-rate alternatives, unless you can shift a lot of use off-peak. Peak rate high enough that you’d need an unrealistic off-peak share to win.
Standing charge (p/day) Affects every home regardless of usage. Competitive for your region (can vary a lot across Great Britain). Higher standing charge that cancels out unit-rate savings.
Off-peak schedule You only benefit if your heating/hot water runs in the off-peak windows. Times that match your heating controls and lifestyle. Assuming “10 hours cheap overnight” when your meter uses split daytime blocks.
Tariff type (fixed/variable) Affects price stability and exit fees. Fixed if you value certainty; variable if you want flexibility (terms vary). Exit fees on fixes if you expect to change again soon.
Meter support (critical) Not all suppliers can bill Economy 10 on all meter set-ups. Supplier confirms in writing (or contract summary) they can support your Economy 10/multi-register meter. Switching and then discovering the supplier can’t bill your registers correctly.

Decision checklist: who Economy 10 suits (and who it doesn’t)

Economy 10 is often a good fit if:

  • You’re in an all-electric home (no mains gas) or you mainly heat with electricity
  • You have storage heaters and/or an immersion heater
  • You can shift a large share of electricity into off-peak (heating/hot water timers)
  • You’re comfortable checking meter readings/registers (or have a smart meter that reports them clearly)

Economy 10 may not suit if:

  • You have gas central heating and low electricity usage
  • You can’t control when your heating/hot water runs (no timer, communal heating constraints)
  • Most of your electricity is used during peak hours (home working, cooking, tumble dryer use)
  • Your supplier options are limited in your area for Economy 10 (so rates aren’t competitive)

Two realistic scenarios (with numbers)

These examples show how the maths works. They are illustrative only (not a promise of savings). Your costs depend on your supplier, region, meter and actual usage split.

Scenario A: all-electric flat with storage heaters

Assumptions
Annual electricity use: 6,000 kWh
Off-peak share: 60% (3,600 kWh) due to heating/hot water timers
Economy 10 rates (example): 18p off-peak / 35p peak / 60p/day standing charge
Single-rate alternative (example): 27p all day / 55p/day standing charge

Estimated annual cost comparison:
Economy 10: (3,600×£0.18) + (2,400×£0.35) + (365×£0.60) ˜ £1,707
Single rate: (6,000×£0.27) + (365×£0.55) ˜ £1,821
Difference (illustrative): ~£114/year cheaper on Economy 10.

Scenario B: gas-heated house, low off-peak shifting

Assumptions
Annual electricity use: 3,100 kWh
Off-peak share: 20% (620 kWh)
Economy 10 rates (example): 18p off-peak / 35p peak / 60p/day standing charge
Single-rate alternative (example): 27p all day / 55p/day standing charge

Estimated annual cost comparison:
Economy 10: (620×£0.18) + (2,480×£0.35) + (365×£0.60) ˜ £1,199
Single rate: (3,100×£0.27) + (365×£0.55) ˜ £1,038
Difference (illustrative): ~£161/year more on Economy 10.

What these scenarios show: Economy 10 tends to work when you can push a high off-peak percentage. If your off-peak share is low, the higher peak rate (and sometimes higher standing charge) can outweigh the cheaper hours.

Costs, exclusions and common Economy 10 pitfalls

1) Off-peak times don’t match your heating controls

If your storage heaters or immersion aren’t set to charge during off-peak windows, you may pay peak prices for heat and hot water.

2) “Cheap rate” applies to fewer circuits than you think

Some legacy set-ups have separate heating circuits/meters. Confirm what’s billed at off-peak and what’s billed at peak.

3) Supplier can’t support your Economy 10 meter

This can cause estimated bills, incorrect registers, or a forced move to a different tariff. Always confirm compatibility before switching.

4) Exit fees and contract terms

Fixed tariffs may include exit fees. Check the tariff information label/contract summary before committing.

5) Standing charges differ by region

Two homes can see different standing charges even with the same supplier and tariff name. Always price-check using your postcode.

6) Economy 10 isn’t guaranteed to be cheaper

If your off-peak share drops (milder winter, lifestyle changes), a single-rate tariff can become better value.

Quick pre-switch check (takes 2 minutes)

  • Do you know your meter type (single-rate, Economy 7, Economy 10, multi-register, smart)?
  • Can the new supplier confirm they support your register set-up for Economy 10?
  • Do you know the off-peak times for your meter (and do your timers match)?
  • Have you compared estimated annual cost vs single-rate using your usage split?

Economy 10 FAQs (UK)

Is Economy 10 available everywhere in the UK?

No. Economy 10 availability varies by region, network and metering. Some suppliers don’t offer it at all, and others only support it for certain meter types or legacy set-ups.

What are the Economy 10 off-peak hours?

They’re set by your meter configuration, often as split blocks across day/evening/night. Your supplier can usually confirm the schedule, but it can be worth checking your meter documentation or bill too.

Is Economy 10 better than Economy 7 for storage heaters?

It depends. Economy 10 can be better if the extra daytime off-peak blocks help you heat your home efficiently. But if the peak rate is much higher (or the standing charge is higher), Economy 7 or single-rate could still be cheaper overall.

Can I get Economy 10 with a smart meter?

Sometimes, but not always. Some smart meters and supplier systems support multi-rate tariffs well; others don’t support Economy 10 reliably. If you’re switching, ask the supplier to confirm they can bill your Economy 10 registers correctly.

Will switching away from Economy 10 affect my heating?

It can. Some storage heating and hot water systems are designed to run during off-peak windows. If you move to a single-rate tariff, you may still be able to run the system, but you could pay more if it charges at peak times. Consider getting advice before changing your set-up.

Does Economy 10 have two readings like Economy 7?

Often it has two main rates (peak and off-peak), but the meter can have more than two registers depending on the set-up. Your bill should show how many readings you need to provide.

Can I get Economy 10 on prepayment?

Sometimes, but options can be more limited than on direct debit. Pricing and availability vary by supplier and meter type, so it’s worth comparing based on your payment method.

How do I know if I’m currently on Economy 10?

Check your bill for multiple unit rates (peak/off-peak) or wording such as “E10”, “Heatwise”, “Total Heating Total Control” (legacy names), or multiple register readings. If unsure, contact your supplier and ask what tariff and meter configuration you have.

Do I need to change my meter to get Economy 10?

Possibly. If you don’t have a compatible multi-rate meter, Economy 10 may not be available. Meter changes depend on your supplier and your home’s set-up. Always confirm any costs, practical impacts and timescales before agreeing.

Trust, methodology and sources

Page accountability

Written by:
EnergyPlus Editorial Team
Reviewed by:
Energy Specialist
Last updated:
March 2026

How we assess “best” Economy 10 tariffs

When we refer to “best” on this page, we mean best value for a given household profile, not a universal cheapest rate. We focus on:

  • Total estimated annual cost (standing charge + peak + off-peak usage)
  • Eligibility and meter support (can the tariff be billed correctly on the customer’s set-up?)
  • Tariff terms (fixed vs variable, exit fees, payment method differences)
  • Practical fit (does the off-peak schedule suit storage heating / hot water control?)

Limitations (important)

  • Prices change and vary by region and payment method. Always check your personalised quote/contract summary.
  • Economy 10 times vary by meter configuration and can’t be assumed from the tariff name alone.
  • Not all suppliers offer Economy 10 or support it for all smart/multi-register meters.
  • The example scenarios use simplified assumptions to show the calculation method; real bills may include additional meter/register nuances.

Independent UK sources we reference

Ready to see whether Economy 10 will actually save you money?

Get a personalised comparison based on your postcode and meter set-up. We’ll help you sanity-check the off-peak timings and the true annual cost.

Get my Economy 10 quote Re-read the quick checklist

We aim to match you to suitable tariffs, but availability and final prices depend on supplier acceptance, meter compatibility and contract terms.

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Updated on 3 Apr 2026