What are energy tariffs with free weekend electricity in the UK?

Energy tariffs with free weekend electricity are plans where your unit rate is reduced to £0 (or effectively free) during a set weekend window. Outside that window you pay the tariff’s normal day rate (and usually a standing charge). They can be a strong fit if you can shift high-usage activities—like EV charging—into the free period.

Are ‘free weekend’ electricity deals really free?

The weekend unit rate may be free within the specified hours, but you’ll typically still pay a standing charge and a standard unit rate at other times. Some tariffs also price weekday electricity higher to offset the free window, so the real value depends on how much usage you can move to the weekend period.

Who benefits most from free weekend electricity tariffs?

Households that can shift a large share of consumption to weekends benefit most—especially EV owners who can schedule most charging for the free window, as well as homes that run laundry, dishwashers, immersion heaters, or batch-cook at the weekend. The more weekend kWh you can move, the stronger the savings potential.

Can I charge my EV for free on the weekend with one of these tariffs?

Potentially, yes—if your supplier’s free window covers the time you charge and your EV charger (or vehicle/app) supports scheduling. Many smart EV chargers can automatically start and stop charging to match cheaper or free periods, helping maximise savings and convenience.

Do I need a smart meter for free weekend electricity tariffs?

In most cases, yes. Suppliers typically require a smart meter so they can measure usage by time period and apply the free weekend rate correctly. If you don’t have one, you may need to arrange installation before switching or activating the tariff.

What should I check before switching to a free weekend electricity plan?

Check the exact free hours, your weekday unit rate, and the standing charge. Compare your estimated annual cost based on your real usage pattern (including EV charging). Also confirm any exit fees, contract length, and whether the tariff requires a compatible smart meter and a specific payment method (e.g., Direct Debit).

How do I maximise savings with free weekend electricity?

Schedule EV charging, hot water heating (where safe and suitable), laundry, and dishwashing within the free window. Use a smart EV charger to automate charging and avoid spillover into paid hours. Monitoring your weekend vs weekday usage can help you decide if the tariff remains cost-effective.

Can a smart EV charger help me take full advantage of free weekend electricity?

Yes. A smart EV charger can schedule charging to start and stop within the free window, reduce the risk of charging at higher weekday rates, and make it easier to optimise costs without changing your routine. If you’re comparing chargers, prioritise reliable scheduling, app controls, and (where available) tariff integration features.

Is a free weekend tariff better than an EV overnight tariff?

It depends on when you can charge and how your household uses energy. Overnight EV tariffs often give cheaper rates every night, which can suit daily charging. Free weekend tariffs can be better if you do most charging and high-usage tasks at the weekend. Comparing your weekly charging needs and household load profile is the quickest way to choose.

How do I get help choosing the right tariff and EV charger setup?

If you want to maximise savings, match your tariff to your driving and charging routine, then choose a smart EV charger that supports scheduling around the free window. You can explore EV charger options here: https://www.energyplus.co.uk/ev-charger/

Energy tariffs with free weekend electricity UK

Compare whole-of-market weekend energy deals in the UK and find out whether “free weekend electricity” could cut your bills—especially if you can shift laundry, cooking or EV charging to Saturday and Sunday.

Whole-of-market comparison from EnergyPlus.co.uk (home energy only)
See tariffs with weekend promotions and time-of-use rates where available
Switch online with one simple form—no sales calls required
Understand the rules: eligibility, standing charges and peak rates

Compare free weekend tariffs How “free weekends” work

Savings depend on usage, meter type and tariff terms. We’ll show options based on your details and what’s available in your area.

Find a weekend-friendly energy tariff for your home

“Free weekend electricity” tariffs can be great value for households that use more power on Saturdays and Sundays—think tumble dryer, batch cooking, dishwashers, or charging an electric vehicle at home. But the details matter: some deals offer zero unit rates for certain weekend hours, others bundle discounted off-peak periods, and many balance the offer with different weekday prices or standing charges.

EnergyPlus.co.uk is a whole-of-market comparison service. Tell us a few details and we’ll show what’s available for your postcode, meter type and usage, including tariffs that may suit weekend-heavy households.

Quick tip before you compare

If your household can shift at least 20–35% of electricity use to weekends (or weekend off-peak windows), these tariffs may be worth exploring. If most of your usage is weekday daytime, a standard single-rate tariff might still be cheaper overall.

What we’ll check for you

Whether weekend promotions are available with suppliers serving your region
Compatibility with your meter (including smart meters / time-of-use)
Any minimum term, exit fees, or usage conditions
Estimated monthly cost vs alternative tariffs based on your details

Get your weekend tariff comparison

Complete the form and we’ll match you to suitable home energy tariffs, including weekend-focused options where available.

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Do you have an EV charger?

By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your comparison request. Your details are used to provide quotes and switching support. This is a home energy service (not business).

Prefer to learn first? Jump to how free weekend electricity tariffs work and the questions to ask before switching.

Important

Not every supplier offers “free weekend” promotions in every area, and availability can change. We’ll show current options we can compare for your postcode, including weekend-weighted time-of-use tariffs where relevant.

Looking for EV charger savings too?

This page focuses on weekend electricity offers, but many drivers also save with off-peak EV tariffs. If you have (or plan) a charger, include it in the form so we can consider tariffs that fit your charging pattern.

Why a free weekend electricity tariff can work

Lower cost for high-usage weekends

If weekends are when you run the washing machine, dryer, oven and dishwasher, a weekend offer can reduce the cost of those heavier sessions—provided weekday rates don’t outweigh the benefit.

Works well with smart home routines

Smart plugs, timers and appliance scheduling help you move usage into qualifying weekend hours without changing how you live.

Potential EV charging advantage

If you mostly recharge at home on weekends, a weekend-heavy tariff can be a strong match—especially where “free” applies to a defined window and your charger supports scheduling.

Simpler than multiple meters

Modern weekend or time-of-use tariffs aim to reward shifting usage without needing older, complex setups. Eligibility still depends on your meter and region.

Can reduce peak-time exposure

Some deals price weekday peak hours higher. If you can avoid those peaks and use more power at weekends/off-peak, the total annual cost may drop.

Whole-of-market view

Because offers vary by region and supplier, comparing broadly helps you avoid switching to a headline deal that doesn’t fit your usage.

Best fit: households that can reliably shift flexible usage to weekends (or the exact “free” window), and are comfortable checking the weekday unit rate and standing charge.

How “free weekend electricity” tariffs work in the UK

In the UK, “free weekend electricity” is typically a promotional pricing structure on certain home energy tariffs. It doesn’t always mean unlimited electricity at no cost across the entire weekend. The fine print usually defines specific hours, may require a smart meter, and can be paired with different rates at other times.

Common tariff structures you may see

Type	What it means
Weekend free-hours window	A defined block of time on Sat/Sun (e.g. daytime hours) at a zero unit rate, with standard rates outside the window.
Time-of-use (TOU) weekend weighting	Multiple unit rates by time/day; weekends may be cheaper overall but not necessarily “free”.
Bundled rewards / credits	Instead of free unit rates, you may get account credit, a discounted rate for a period, or a reward structure that benefits weekend usage indirectly.
Off-peak focused tariffs (EV-friendly)	Low rates overnight and sometimes at weekends. Best if you can schedule appliances/charging automatically.

What to check before you switch

Exact “free” hours: Are they all weekend, daytime only, or a limited block?
Weekday unit rate: Is weekday electricity higher than a standard tariff?
Standing charge: A low unit rate can be offset by a higher daily charge.
Meter requirements: Many TOU / promotional tariffs require a smart meter.
Exit fees & term: Check if it’s fixed-term and what it costs to leave early.

Practical rule: A weekend tariff works when the money you save at weekends is greater than any extra you pay at weekday peaks and via standing charges.

How to make weekend electricity offers pay off

Schedule heavy appliances

Run laundry cycles, dishwasher, batch cooking, and electric heating boosts during the qualifying weekend window.

Avoid weekday peak spikes

If your tariff has peak pricing, reduce high-consumption tasks at those times (where possible) to protect your savings.

Use charger/app timers

If you charge an EV at home, set charging to match the cheapest window (weekend free hours or off-peak).

Eligibility and requirements

Weekend electricity promotions and time-of-use rates can be subject to eligibility rules. These vary by supplier and product, but the checks below are common across UK home energy tariffs.

Meter & data requirements

Smart meter may be required for tariffs that price by time/day.
Your supplier may need half-hourly readings to apply time-of-use rates accurately.
If you don’t have a smart meter, we can still show standard tariffs and any weekend-reward options available without TOU metering.

Home setup considerations

Some products are best suited to electricity-heavy homes (e.g. more electric appliances).
If you’re on a legacy multi-rate setup, we’ll help identify whether switching is suitable.
Tariff availability can differ across England, Scotland and Wales due to regional network areas.

Renting or living in a flat?

You can usually switch supplier as long as you’re responsible for paying the bill. If you’re unsure, we’ll guide you through what you need before switching.

Costs, savings and what “free” really means

A “free weekend electricity” headline can be misleading if you don’t check the full tariff structure. In most cases, you still pay a standing charge, and you may pay higher rates at certain weekday times. The goal is to assess the total annual cost for your household.

Typical cost elements to compare

Element	Why it matters
Weekend unit rate	Zero or reduced pricing only helps if you actually use energy in that window.
Weekday unit rates	If weekday rates are higher, savings can disappear unless you shift usage away from peak times.
Standing charge	Paid daily regardless of usage; significant for low-usage households.
Fixed term & exit fees	Important if you might move home or want flexibility.
Discount conditions	Some promotions require direct debit, paperless billing, or other conditions.

A simple way to estimate if it’s worth it

Step 1: Estimate how much electricity you can move into the free/reduced weekend hours (kWh).

Step 2: Multiply that by the difference between your normal unit rate and the weekend rate.

Step 3: Subtract any increase in weekday costs and any higher standing charge.

Result: If the number is positive across a year, it’s likely worth considering—subject to terms and availability.

If you’re not sure how to estimate your usage split, fill in the form above and we’ll help compare based on your situation and what’s available in your area.

Frequently asked questions

Is weekend electricity really free?

Usually it means the unit rate (the price per kWh) is set to £0 during a specified weekend window. You may still pay a standing charge, and unit rates outside the window can be higher.

Do I need a smart meter?

Often, yes—especially for time-of-use pricing that changes by hour/day. Some weekend reward-style deals may be available without it, but to apply “free hours” accurately, suppliers typically rely on smart meter readings.

Will my gas also be cheaper?

Weekend promotions normally apply to electricity. If you take dual fuel, gas pricing will have its own unit rate and standing charge. We’ll consider both when comparing, based on your details.

Can I switch if I’m in credit or owe money?

If you’re in credit, this is normally refunded by your current supplier after your final bill. If you owe money, you can still often switch, but you’ll need to clear the balance—your supplier’s terms apply.

How long does a switch take?

Switching times vary, but many suppliers can complete a switch in around 5 working days under the faster switching process. We’ll confirm next steps once you submit your comparison request.

What if the best option isn’t a “free weekend” tariff?

That’s common. If your usage is mostly weekday daytime, a standard single-rate tariff may cost less overall. EnergyPlus.co.uk compares widely so you can choose based on total cost, not headlines.

If you want personalised help, go back to Compare now and submit the form. We’ll match you with suitable tariffs available for your postcode.

What customers say

“The comparison was straightforward and helped me understand whether the weekend offer was actually worth it for our usage.”

Homeowner, Manchester

“I thought ‘free’ meant all weekend. EnergyPlus explained the window and helped me plan around it.”

Flat owner, Bristol

“We charge our EV mostly on Saturdays and Sundays. Seeing the full costs and standing charge made the decision easy.”

Driver, Glasgow

Our approach

Whole-of-market comparison approach
Clear explanation of unit rates, standing charges and terms
Home energy focus (not business tariffs)

Ready to compare weekend electricity tariffs?

Submit your details and we’ll check available tariffs for your postcode—highlighting weekend promotions and time-of-use options that could suit your home.

Start my comparison Read the FAQs

No scripts or downloads. Switching support depends on tariff availability and your eligibility.

Before you hit submit

Have your postcode ready
Know whether you have a smart meter (if unsure, still submit)
Think about when you use most electricity—weekdays vs weekends

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Updated on 2 Jan 2026