Economy 7 electricity tariff rates UK tonight
Check whether an Economy 7 tariff could lower your night-time electricity costs tonight. Compare whole-of-market Economy 7 options for your home and see who’s competitive for your postcode, meter type and usage.
- Find your likely Economy 7 night rate window (often 7 hours, varies by region & meter)
- Compare day vs night unit rates and standing charges across UK suppliers
- See if Economy 7 suits EV charging, storage heaters or overnight appliance use
- Switch with confidence using a whole-of-market comparison
EnergyPlus is a UK home energy comparison service. Rates and times vary by supplier, meter and region. We’ll show options available for your address.
Compare Economy 7 tariffs for your home (whole-of-market)
If you’re searching for Economy 7 electricity tariff rates UK tonight, what you usually need is simple: your night rate hours, your day and night unit prices, and whether a different supplier would beat what you’re paying right now.
EnergyPlus helps you compare home energy tariffs across UK suppliers. Enter a few details to see available Economy 7 options for your address, including estimated costs based on your usage split (day vs night).
What you’ll get after submitting
- Whole-of-market tariff options available for your postcode
- Day & night unit rates and standing charge comparisons
- Estimated monthly and annual cost view (based on your inputs)
- Clear next steps if you want to switch
What is an Economy 7 tariff?
Economy 7 is a two-rate electricity tariff: you pay one unit rate in the daytime and a cheaper unit rate overnight for a set number of hours (usually seven). It’s designed to reward households that can use more electricity off-peak.
When people search “Economy 7 electricity tariff rates UK tonight”, they’re often trying to work out whether it’s worth running appliances overnight and what their overnight price is likely to be. The key is understanding:
- Your Economy 7 night rate time window (varies by region/meter)
- Night unit rate vs day unit rate (both matter)
- Standing charge (daily fixed cost)
- How much of your usage you can realistically shift to night hours
Economy 7 can be a strong fit if you:
- Use storage heaters or have an immersion heater on a timer
- Charge an electric vehicle overnight
- Can schedule appliances (dishwasher, washing machine) after the night rate starts
- Have a consistent routine and can keep daytime usage lower
If you’re mainly at home during the day and use lots of electricity then, a single-rate tariff can sometimes work out cheaper overall.
Why check Economy 7 rates tonight with EnergyPlus?
Whole-of-market comparison
See Economy 7 options from across the UK market, not just a shortlist. We focus on availability for your home address and meter type.
Built for two-rate tariffs
Economy 7 isn’t just “a cheap night unit price”. We help you compare day rate, night rate and standing charge together.
Tonight’s decision made clearer
Find your likely off-peak window, understand what changes seasonally, and avoid common setup mistakes (timers, smart meters, reading the wrong register).
Postcode-specific availability
Economy 7 rates can differ by region and supplier. We show options relevant to where you live in the UK.
No jargon—just what matters
We explain unit rates, standing charges, two-register meters, and smart meter setups in plain UK English.
Switch support
If you decide to switch, we guide you through what to check: meter compatibility, readings, and timing, so you stay on the right rate.
Economy 7 night rate times (what applies tonight?)
There isn’t one single UK-wide “Economy 7 time”. Your off-peak hours are set by your meter configuration and your electricity region/distribution area. Many households get a continuous 7-hour block overnight; others may have split blocks. Smart meters can also affect how times are presented.
How to find your Economy 7 hours quickly
- Check your latest bill or online account for Economy 7 or “two-rate” details (sometimes listed as off-peak times).
- Look at your meter display tonight: many meters show which register is active (often labelled Rate 1 / Rate 2).
- Run a short test: note which register increases during the day, then check again after midnight (or your suspected start time).
- Ask your supplier for your exact off-peak window for your MPAN/meter setup.
Common off-peak patterns (examples)
Many Economy 7 meters follow one of these patterns. These are examples only—your meter can differ:
- 00:00–07:00
- 00:30–07:30
- 01:00–08:00
- Split windows (e.g. 23:30–02:30 and 04:30–08:30)
If you have a smart meter
With a smart meter, you may still be on a two-rate tariff. Check:
- Whether your tariff is listed as two-rate in the supplier app
- How your meter shows registers (sometimes “Total Act Import” plus separate registers)
- That your EV charger schedule aligns with the actual off-peak start time
Economy 7 rates explained: what to compare tonight
An Economy 7 tariff has three numbers that affect your bill. When comparing suppliers, don’t focus on the night rate alone—your daytime unit rate and standing charge can outweigh it if most of your electricity is used during the day.
| What you’ll see | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Night unit rate (p/kWh) | Price you pay per kWh during off-peak hours. | Key for EV charging, storage heaters and overnight loads. |
| Day unit rate (p/kWh) | Price you pay per kWh outside off-peak hours. | Often higher than single-rate tariffs—can erode savings if you use lots of daytime electricity. |
| Standing charge (p/day) | Fixed daily charge regardless of usage. | A small difference can add up over a year, especially for low-usage households. |
| Off-peak hours (timing) | The seven hours (or equivalent) when the night rate applies. | Determines whether “tonight’s” usage actually qualifies for the cheaper rate. |
A practical way to estimate if Economy 7 is worth it
Economy 7 is more likely to work out when a meaningful portion of your electricity is used at night. Many households aim for 30%+ of usage overnight, but the break-even point depends on the exact day/night rates and standing charges.
If you’re unsure, submit the form above and we’ll estimate costs using your night usage share.
What “tonight” usually means for bills
- Only energy used inside your off-peak window is billed at the night rate.
- Timers (EV chargers, immersion heaters, storage heaters) should start after the night rate begins.
- If your meter’s clock doesn’t match local time, “tonight” could shift—common around BST/GMT changes.
Do Economy 7 rates vary by region in the UK?
Yes. Economy 7 electricity prices are typically set with regional variation, so two households on the same tariff name may see different unit rates or standing charges depending on where they live. This is why a postcode-led comparison is the fastest route to accurate results.
Network costs
Electricity distribution costs differ by region and can influence standing charges and unit rates.
Meter configuration
Economy 7 timing can depend on your meter setup (legacy vs smart, single block vs split blocks).
Supplier pricing
Suppliers price differently across regions and may offer specific Economy 7 options in certain areas.
Common Economy 7 mistakes (and how to avoid them tonight)
1) Charging or heating too early
If your timer starts before the night rate begins, you’ll pay the day rate. Confirm your actual off-peak start time on the meter/supplier account, especially around BST/GMT changes.
2) Only comparing night unit prices
A cheaper night rate can come with a much higher day rate or standing charge. Compare the full tariff structure and estimate annual cost.
3) Reading the wrong register
Two-rate meters record usage on different registers (Rate 1/Rate 2). If readings are swapped, billing can be wrong. Keep a note of which register moves when.
4) Switching without checking meter compatibility
If you need Economy 7 (two-rate) billing, ensure the tariff and meter setup remain two-rate after switching—especially if you have a smart meter upgrade in progress.
Economy 7 tonight: FAQs
What time does Economy 7 start tonight?
It depends on your meter and region. Many households have an overnight 7-hour window, but the exact start time can vary and may shift around clock changes. Use the steps above to confirm your active off-peak window.
Is Economy 7 cheaper at night?
Usually, yes—the night unit rate is lower. However, the day unit rate can be higher than a single-rate tariff. Whether you save overall depends on your day vs night usage and standing charge.
Can I get Economy 7 with a smart meter?
Often yes. A smart meter can support two-rate billing, but how the registers appear can differ. Confirm your tariff is set up as two-rate and that your bills show separate day and night usage.
Do Economy 7 tariffs have higher standing charges?
Not always, but standing charges vary by supplier and region. When comparing Economy 7 deals, check the standing charge alongside both unit rates.
Is Economy 7 good for EV charging?
It can be—if your charger schedule sits fully within the off-peak window and the tariff’s day rate isn’t too high for your daytime usage. Compare the full tariff cost for your household pattern.
Can I switch from Economy 7 to a single-rate tariff?
In many cases, yes, but you may need your meter setup changed (or reconfigured) depending on the type. If you rely on storage heaters or overnight hot water, check the impact before switching.
What UK households say about comparing with EnergyPlus
“I needed to know whether it was worth charging the car overnight. The comparison made it clear how the day rate affected the total cost.”
“Finally understood my Economy 7 hours and set my appliances properly. Saved me guessing every night.”
“Useful to see day and night rates together rather than just a headline figure. Switching was straightforward.”
Trust markers you should look for when switching
- Clear tariff terms: day rate, night rate, standing charge
- Confirmation of two-rate billing for Economy 7 meters
- Transparent estimates based on your usage split
- Simple process for final meter readings at switch
Prefer to compare first, switch later?
That’s fine. Start with the comparison to understand what’s competitive tonight for your home. You can decide on switching once you’ve seen the full picture.
Go to the form to get your personalised options.
Ready to check Economy 7 rates for tonight?
Get a postcode-based comparison of Economy 7 electricity tariffs for your home—day rate, night rate and standing charge included.
- Whole-of-market home energy comparison
- Postcode-specific availability and pricing
- Clear guidance on off-peak times and setup
Start your comparison
Have your postcode and a recent bill handy (if available). If not, we’ll still guide you.
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