Energy tariffs with free weekday electricity in the UK
Compare whole-of-market energy deals that offer free electricity at set times on weekdays (plus smart time-of-use options). Check eligibility, understand the small print, and see whether “free” really lowers your annual bill.
- Whole-of-market comparison for UK homes (not business)
- See tariffs with free weekday electricity windows & time-of-use alternatives
- Designed for EV charging, heat pumps, batteries & high-use households
- Switch guidance on standing charges, peak rates and exit fees
Free, no obligation. Results depend on region, meter type and usage pattern. We’ll help you compare properly—including higher peak rates and standing charges.
Compare free weekday electricity tariffs (and the best alternatives)
Some UK suppliers offer tariffs where electricity is priced at £0 for a set window on weekdays (for example, a few midday hours). These can work brilliantly for certain households—especially if you can shift usage into the free period—yet they’re not automatically the cheapest for everyone.
EnergyPlus helps you compare the whole-of-market and highlight the trade-offs clearly, including peak unit rates, standing charge and whether you’ll need a smart meter.
Good fit if you can shift energy use
- EV charging on a home charger during the free weekday window
- Running appliances (dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer) at set times
- Charging a home battery for evening use (where permitted)
- Flexible households that can avoid high peak unit rates
Not sure whether “free weekday electricity” beats a low off-peak rate overnight? Fill in the form and we’ll recommend the best options for your household usage pattern and region.
Why households choose free weekday electricity tariffs
Lower cost for flexible daytime usage
If you can shift a chunk of your electricity use into the free weekday window, you may reduce your effective unit price—especially for high-consumption appliances.
Great for EVs, heat pumps & home batteries
Time-of-use tariffs can suit EV charging, battery charging, or pre-heating. The key is aligning your schedule with the free hours and avoiding expensive peak periods.
Easier to track than complex TOU plans
A clear “free electricity window” can be simpler to plan around than multi-rate tariffs—provided you understand how the rest of the day is priced.
Important: “Free weekday electricity” tariffs often offset the free hours with higher rates at other times or a higher standing charge. The cheapest tariff is the one that matches your actual usage pattern.
How free weekday electricity tariffs work in practice
These deals are a type of time-of-use (TOU) tariff. Instead of one flat unit rate, the price changes depending on the time of day. A specific weekday period is billed at £0 per kWh, while other periods are charged at standard/peak rates.
Typical structure
Quick decision guide
- Identify flexible loads: EV charging, laundry, dishwasher, immersion heater, battery charging.
- Estimate kWh you can move: the more you shift into free hours, the better the tariff performs.
- Check peak pricing: if your household uses most electricity evenings, a free daytime window may not help.
- Confirm meter requirements: most TOU/free-hour tariffs require a compatible smart meter.
- Compare annual cost: include electricity + gas (if dual fuel), standing charges, and any fixed-term commitments.
If you’re looking for EV-focused options, you may also want to compare EV charger tariffs and guidance alongside free weekday electricity deals.
What to check before switching (so “free” doesn’t cost you more)
To compare energy tariffs with free weekday electricity in the UK properly, look beyond the headline. These are the terms most likely to affect your yearly cost:
Peak unit rates
Some tariffs raise the unit rate outside the free window. If most of your usage is evenings and weekends, your total bill can rise.
Standing charge
A higher standing charge can wipe out savings for low/medium usage households—even if you use the free hours.
Free window rules
Confirm exact hours, weekday definitions (Mon–Fri), bank holidays, seasonal changes, and whether export/solar affects eligibility.
Contract length & exit fees
Fixed terms can be good value, but check if there are exit fees, and whether rates can change during the term.
Smart meter compatibility
Most TOU tariffs need half-hourly readings. Ask what happens if smart readings fail or your meter isn’t compatible yet.
Dual fuel vs electric-only
If you have gas, compare the combined annual cost. A great electricity tariff can be offset by a poor gas rate.
Eligibility & requirements (UK homes)
You’ll usually need
- A UK residential address (England, Scotland or Wales; availability can vary)
- A compatible smart meter (often essential for time-of-use rates)
- Permission to take half-hourly readings (supplier dependent)
- Ability to shift electricity usage into the free window
You should double-check if
- You’re on a prepayment meter (some TOU tariffs may be unavailable)
- You have solar panels and export (check how export is priced, and if free periods change anything)
- You’re in a region with higher standing charges—this can affect value
- You rely on electric cooking/heating at peak times
Tip: If you can’t use much electricity during the weekday free window, a cheap overnight EV tariff or a different TOU plan may reduce costs more.
How to estimate savings from free weekday electricity
A simple way to judge value is to calculate how many kWh you can reliably move into the free window each week, then compare that saving against any higher peak rates and standing charges.
Back-of-the-envelope method
- Estimate kWh used during the free window per week (e.g. EV charging + appliances).
- Multiply by your alternative unit rate you’d otherwise pay (e.g. standard rate).
- Subtract any extra cost from higher peak rates (evenings/weekends) and standing charge.
- Compare annualised totals across tariffs, not just unit rates.
Common scenarios where it helps most
- Home EV charger with daytime charging access (WFH or scheduled charging)
- Battery storage that can charge in the free window and discharge later
- Households running multiple high-load appliances during the day
- Heat pump users who can pre-heat during cheaper periods
We’ll help you compare based on how you actually use energy—so you don’t switch to a tariff that only looks good on paper.
FAQs: free weekday electricity tariffs
Is electricity really free during the weekday window?
The unit rate for electricity can be £0/kWh during the advertised hours, but you’ll still typically pay a standing charge. Also, the tariff may charge higher rates at other times, which is why a full annual comparison matters.
Do I need a smart meter?
In most cases, yes. Time-of-use pricing usually needs a compatible smart meter that can provide readings frequently (often half-hourly). If you don’t have one, we can still show alternatives and explain your options.
Are these tariffs only for EV owners?
No. EV charging is a common use case because it’s a large, shiftable load, but any home that can move usage into the free weekday period can benefit (appliances, immersion heaters, batteries, or daytime heating strategies).
Will I save money compared to a standard variable tariff?
It depends on your region, standing charge, and how much electricity you can shift. If you can’t use much in the free window, a tariff with a strong off-peak rate (often overnight) may be better value. We compare expected annual cost based on your details.
Can I get free weekday electricity on a dual fuel tariff?
Some offers may be electricity-only, while others can be paired with gas. The right choice is the one with the lowest combined annual cost for your household. We’ll show options either way.
How long does a switch take in the UK?
Switching is usually straightforward and you won’t lose supply. Timelines vary by supplier and circumstances, but most switches complete within days to a few weeks. We’ll outline what to expect for your situation.
Why use EnergyPlus to compare?
Whole-of-market mindset
We focus on matching the tariff to your household usage—not pushing a one-size-fits-all “headline” deal.
Clear comparisons
We highlight peak rates, standing charges, contract terms and smart meter requirements so you can decide with confidence.
Helpful support
If you’re unsure what tariff type fits—free weekday windows vs overnight EV rates vs multi-rate TOU—we’ll explain the trade-offs.
Customer feedback
“We thought the free hours would automatically save money, but EnergyPlus helped us compare properly. We ended up with a time-of-use tariff that suited our EV charging and cut our evening costs.”
Homeowner, UK
Trust indicators
- UK home energy comparison support
- Tariff suitability checks (smart meter / usage pattern)
- Transparent guidance on rates and terms
Ready to see if free weekday electricity is worth it?
We’ll compare free weekday electricity tariffs and the best time-of-use alternatives for your home—based on your postcode, meter type and how you use energy.
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