Energy tariffs with free electricity weekends: are they worth it?

If you can shift usage to Saturday/Sunday (EV charging, laundry, batch cooking), a “free electricity weekend” tariff can cut costs — but only if the weekday unit rate and standing charge don’t wipe out the benefit. Compare whole-of-market UK tariffs with EnergyPlus and see what stacks up for your home.

  • Check if “free” weekend electricity beats standard & time-of-use deals
  • Estimate savings based on your actual weekend usage
  • Whole-of-market comparison for home energy (not business)
Compare tariffs & check savings How free weekends work

No obligation. We’ll use your postcode and a few details to match suitable tariffs. Availability varies by supplier, meter type and region.

Find out if a free-electricity weekend tariff is actually cheaper for your home

“Free weekend electricity” offers can look unbeatable, especially if you charge an EV at home or run energy-hungry appliances on Saturday/Sunday. In practice, the tariff’s weekday unit rate and standing charge are often higher — so the deal only works when your weekend share of usage is high enough (and you can reliably shift consumption).

EnergyPlus.co.uk is a whole-of-market comparison service. Tell us a few details and we’ll match you with suitable home energy tariffs available for your meter type and region — including time-of-use deals and other options that may beat “free weekends”.

What you’ll get

  • A shortlist of tariffs that fit your postcode and household details
  • Clear comparison of unit rates, standing charges and any time-of-use windows
  • Guidance on whether free-weekend tariffs suit your usage patterns

Check tariffs in your area

Complete the form to compare suitable home energy tariffs (including time-of-use options where available).

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.

Important: Most “free weekend electricity” tariffs are a form of time-of-use pricing. Suppliers can set eligibility rules (smart meter requirements, specific hours, usage caps, fair use policies, exit fees, or bundled add-ons). Always compare the full tariff terms — not just the headline.

When are free electricity weekends worth it in the UK?

These tariffs can be worthwhile when you can consistently move a meaningful share of your electricity use into the free window. If most of your consumption stays on weekdays, a higher day rate and standing charge can make you worse off.

You can shift big loads to weekends

EV charging, tumble drying, dishwashing, washing machine cycles, batch cooking, immersion heater scheduling and other high-kWh jobs can tip the balance — especially if you can run them in the specific “free” hours.

You have a smart meter (or can get one)

Most suppliers need half-hourly readings to apply time-based pricing. If you’re on a traditional meter, your options may be limited.

Your weekday usage is low-ish

If you’re out during the day, or can avoid heavy weekday usage (electric heating, electric showers, working-from-home equipment), you’re less exposed to higher weekday rates.

You’re comparing against the right benchmark

Sometimes an EV night-rate tariff or another time-of-use plan can beat free-weekend offers, even if weekends aren’t free, because the off-peak rate is consistently low.

You understand the “free” window

Some deals are “free for a set number of hours”, “free on Sunday only”, or “free between certain times”. Worth it depends on whether your use fits the window.

You’re comfortable with variable pricing

Some tariffs change with market conditions or have different weekday tiers. A “free weekend” headline can come with more complexity than a standard tariff.

Rule of thumb: The more electricity you can move into the free window (without increasing overall usage), the more likely you are to benefit.

How “free electricity weekends” tariffs work

In the UK, these tariffs typically work by setting a price of 0p per kWh (or a heavily discounted rate) during defined weekend hours, while charging a higher rate at other times. The supplier uses smart meter readings to allocate your usage into each time band.

  1. Check eligibility (often smart meter required; sometimes only certain regions or customer types).
  2. Understand the free window (e.g., Saturday & Sunday, or Sunday only, sometimes with specific hours).
  3. Compare the full tariff (weekday unit rate, off-peak rate if applicable, and standing charge).
  4. Shift usage (schedule EV charging, appliances, hot water, etc. within the free period).
  5. Review monthly (if your pattern changes, the best tariff can change too).

What to compare (not just the headline)

Tariff element Why it matters What to look for
Weekday unit rate Often higher to fund the “free” period. Compare to your current unit rate and to standard tariffs available in your area.
Standing charge Paid daily regardless of usage — can cancel out savings for low-use homes. Check if it’s materially higher than alternatives.
Free window definition “Weekend” may not mean 48 hours, and may have time boundaries. Confirm exact start/end times and whether bank holidays are included/excluded.
Fair use / caps Some suppliers restrict unusually high “free” consumption. Check terms for caps, exclusions, or how “free” usage is monitored.
Exit fees / contract Fixes and bundles can lock you in. Look for flexibility if your usage pattern changes.
EV owners: If your main goal is cheap charging, also compare EV-focused tariffs with a low overnight rate. A consistent off-peak price can outperform “free weekends” if you drive and charge across the week.

Quick savings check: the simple maths

You don’t need perfect data to sanity-check a free weekend tariff. Use this approach before you apply:

1) Estimate your weekend kWh

Add up what you can realistically run in the free window:

  • EV charging: kWh added per session (e.g., 20–40kWh for a decent top-up).
  • Washing + drying: often 2–6kWh per combined load depending on appliance efficiency.
  • Dishwasher: typically 1–2kWh per cycle.
  • Cooking: ovens and hobs vary widely; batch cooking can be meaningful.

2) Compare the trade-off

A “free weekend” tariff is worth it when:

Weekend savings > Extra weekday cost + extra standing charge

If the weekday unit rate is, say, 8p/kWh higher than a good alternative, and you use 250kWh on weekdays, that’s £20/month extra — which your “free” weekend needs to beat.

A practical checklist before switching

  1. Check your last bill/app: what proportion of your use happens on weekends?
  2. Confirm the free window hours match when you can actually run appliances.
  3. Compare standing charge first — it’s the hardest cost to “offset”.
  4. If you have an EV, compare against an EV night-rate tariff too.
  5. Look for exit fees and contract length if you’re unsure.
Compare options for your postcode See common mistakes

Common pitfalls with free weekend electricity tariffs

Assuming “free” means all weekend

Always check exact hours and days. Some tariffs define a limited window (for example, specific weekend hours). If you miss the window, you pay the standard rate.

Not factoring in standing charge

A higher standing charge can erase savings, particularly for small flats, low-occupancy households, or anyone already using little electricity.

Weekend usage increases rather than shifts

Savings come from shifting (moving usage), not adding. “It’s free so we’ll run everything” can backfire if weekday rates are higher and you still use lots on weekdays.

Ignoring meter requirements

Time-of-use tariffs usually require a smart meter. If you can’t get one fitted or connected properly, the tariff may not apply as expected.

Comparing against your current tariff only

Your current tariff might not be competitive. Compare the whole market for your region — the best alternative might be a different time-of-use plan or a strong standard variable/fixed tariff.

Missing contract details

Check exit fees, price change rules, and how the supplier defines “fair use”. If your circumstances change, flexibility can matter more than a headline perk.

Tip: If you’re considering this mainly for EV charging, note that some EV tariffs offer the biggest value overnight midweek too — which may suit commuting patterns better than weekends alone.

FAQs: free electricity weekend tariffs

Are free electricity weekends really free?

Usually “free” means the unit rate for electricity is set to 0p/kWh during defined weekend hours. You still normally pay a standing charge, and electricity outside the free window is charged at the tariff’s standard (often higher) rates. Terms can include eligibility rules or fair use policies.

Do I need a smart meter?

In most cases, yes. Time-of-use tariffs rely on smart meter readings to allocate usage to the “free” or discounted window. If you don’t have a smart meter, you may have fewer options or the tariff may not be available.

Is it good for EV charging?

It can be, particularly if you can do most charging on weekends. If you charge midweek too, compare with EV tariffs that offer low off-peak rates overnight every day. Whole-of-market comparison helps you see which structure best matches your driving pattern.

What about gas?

“Free weekend” features typically apply to electricity, not gas. If your home uses gas heavily (e.g., for heating), you still need to compare the gas unit rate and standing charge as part of your overall bill.

Can I switch if I’m on a prepayment meter?

It depends on the supplier and your meter type. Some tariffs are limited to credit meters or specific smart prepayment setups. Submit your details and we’ll highlight what’s available for your circumstances.

Will a free weekend tariff always beat the Price Cap?

Not necessarily. The Ofgem price cap affects standard variable tariffs, but a “free weekend” tariff can still cost more overall if weekday rates/standing charge are higher and you don’t use enough electricity in the free window.

Want a personalised answer? Compare tariffs for your postcode and we’ll match options based on your home setup.

What UK households look for (and what they avoid)

Free weekend electricity can be a smart move when it matches real habits. Here are common themes we hear when people compare time-of-use tariffs:

“The weekend perk worked — once we scheduled everything.”

Households who automate EV charging and appliance cycles tend to see the best outcomes, because the savings are consistent.

Typical focus: exact free hours, app controls, and clarity of billing.

“It wasn’t cheaper once we added up weekdays.”

If weekday usage stays high (working from home, electric cooking, lots of showers), higher weekday unit rates can outweigh weekend discounts.

Typical focus: weekday rate vs best alternative, and standing charge.

“We wanted a straightforward plan.”

Many people choose a strong standard tariff if the time-of-use rules feel too complex or if their routine changes week to week.

Typical focus: predictable bills and minimal restrictions.

Trust signals that matter: clear tariff terms, transparent unit rates/standing charge, and easy-to-understand billing. That’s why we present full cost components — not just the headline.

Ready to see if free weekends will lower your bill?

Compare whole-of-market home energy tariffs in your area. We’ll help you weigh “free weekend electricity” offers against other competitive options — including time-of-use and EV-friendly tariffs.

  • Personalised matches for your postcode
  • Clear view of unit rates, standing charges and windows
  • No obligation — switch only if it makes sense

Get your matches

Tip: Have a recent bill handy to confirm your current unit rate and standing charge.

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Updated on 14 Feb 2026