Cheapest electricity tariff for all‑electric homes (UK)

All‑electric homes can be expensive to run — but the “cheapest” tariff depends on your heating type, meter, when you use power, and your region. This guide shows what to look for and lets you compare whole‑of‑market options in minutes.

  • Best value usually comes from the right tariff type (single‑rate vs time‑of‑use), not just the lowest headline unit rate.
  • We explain what works for heat pumps, electric heating, EV charging and hot water schedules.
  • Compare offers by total annual cost (unit rate + standing charge), with UK‑specific caveats.
Get your electricity quote How to choose the right tariff

Estimates only. Eligibility, prices and availability vary by region, meter type and payment method. We’ll show options you can actually apply for based on what you tell us.

Fast answer: what’s usually cheapest for an all‑electric home?

There isn’t one universally cheapest UK electricity tariff for all‑electric homes. The cheapest option is the tariff that minimises your total annual cost for your usage pattern (especially heating and hot water) — after standing charges, time bands, and any fees.

If you use power fairly evenly

A single‑rate tariff with a competitive unit rate and sensible standing charge is often best.

If you can shift usage to cheap hours

A time‑of‑use tariff (smart meter) can win for EV charging, immersion heating and some heat‑pump schedules.

If you have older off‑peak metering

Legacy Economy 7 / Economy 10 can still be good, but only if your off‑peak share is high enough.

Key takeaway: For all‑electric households, a tariff with a slightly higher unit rate can still be “cheaper” if the standing charge is lower, or if you can use more energy in discounted hours. Always compare by estimated annual cost, not a single headline rate.

What you’ll need (2 minutes)

  • Your postcode (prices vary by region)
  • Your meter type (standard / Economy 7 / smart)
  • Rough annual electricity use (or last bill)
  • Whether you have EV, heat pump, or immersion

Avoid common mistakes

  • Choosing time‑of‑use without a smart meter or without shifting usage
  • Ignoring day vs night split on Economy 7
  • Comparing unit rates but not standing charges
  • Missing eligibility rules (EV tariffs, new‑customer only, etc.)

Compare electricity tariffs for your all‑electric home

Use our whole‑of‑market comparison to see tariffs you can apply for based on your region, meter and usage. We focus on estimated annual cost and show key terms (standing charge, time bands, contract length and exit fees where available).

Best for

Heat pumps, electric radiators, immersion hot water, EV charging, flats with electric-only supplies.

What happens next

We’ll email your results and (if you want) call to help confirm meter compatibility and time bands.

Tip for all‑electric homes: If you don’t know your annual kWh, use your last 12 months of bills (or smart meter app) for the most accurate comparison. If you’ve recently installed a heat pump or EV, your past usage may understate your future costs.

How to choose the right tariff (all‑electric specifics)

  1. Identify your big loads. Heating and hot water can dwarf everything else. Note if you have: heat pump, electric boiler, storage heaters, immersion cylinder, underfloor heating, or an EV.
  2. Check your meter and registers. Standard meters usually have one register; Economy 7 has day/night; smart meters can support time‑of‑use (tariff dependent).
  3. Estimate your “off‑peak share”. If you can reliably shift 25–40%+ of your usage into cheaper hours, time‑of‑use may beat single‑rate. If most use stays in peak hours, it may cost more.
  4. Compare by total cost, not just unit rate. Standing charges can be a large part of the bill, especially in smaller flats or low‑usage homes.
  5. Check contract terms. Look for exit fees, price guarantees, and any requirements (e.g., smart meter, EV ownership, app usage).
  6. Confirm compatibility before switching. Some tariffs won’t work with certain legacy meters, complex multi‑rate setups, or restricted‑hours heating controls.

Get your quote (email results)

Tell us a few details and we’ll share tariffs available for your postcode. If you’d like, our team can help you sanity‑check whether a tariff suits an all‑electric setup.

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.

All‑electric home quick check

Heating type
Heat pump / storage heaters / panel heaters / underfloor / electric boiler
Hot water
Cylinder + immersion? Timer? Any “boost” habits?
Shiftable usage
EV charging, washing/drying, dishwasher, immersion schedules

Tariff types for all‑electric homes (comparison table)

Use this table to narrow down the type of tariff most likely to be cheapest for you. Exact prices vary by supplier, region and payment method, so always compare using your details.

Tariff type Works best when… Watch outs Usually needs
Single‑rate (standard) You use electricity throughout the day, or you can’t reliably shift heating/hot water to set hours. Can be pricier than off‑peak options if you have storage heaters/EV and could shift usage. Any meter
Economy 7 (day/night) A big share of use is overnight (e.g., storage heating, overnight immersion, EV charging). Day rate is often higher. If most of your use is daytime, costs can rise. Off‑peak hours differ by region/meter settings. E7 meter (or compatible smart setup)
Time‑of‑use (smart) You can schedule EV charging, hot water, appliances, and sometimes heating to cheap windows. Peak rates can be high. If you can’t shift usage, you may pay more. Tariff time bands and rules vary. Smart meter; acceptance of time bands
EV‑focused tariff You charge an EV at home regularly and can keep most charging in the cheapest hours. Some require EV proof or specific charger/app integration. Cheap EV hours might be offset by higher daytime rates. Smart meter; EV use pattern that fits

Decision checklist (quick)

  • Do you have a smart meter? If no, time‑of‑use options may be limited.
  • Can you schedule hot water? Immersion + timer can be a major lever.
  • Off‑peak share estimate: under ~20% often favours single‑rate; over ~30% can favour off‑peak (tariff dependent).
  • Standing charge sensitivity: smaller households and flats often feel standing charges more.
  • Comfort requirements: don’t choose a tariff that forces uncomfortable heating patterns.

Who time‑of‑use suits (and who it doesn’t)

Suits you if: you can automate EV charging/hot water, you’re home less in peak hours, and you’re comfortable with variable pricing windows.

Not ideal if: you need heavy daytime heating, can’t shift usage, or you have a complex legacy meter setup that’s hard to migrate.

Two realistic cost scenarios (illustrative numbers)

These examples show why the cheapest tariff depends on your usage pattern. They are not quotes. Rates are example figures only and do not reflect any specific supplier.

Scenario A: 1–2 bed flat, electric heating used mostly evenings

  • Annual use: 3,600 kWh
  • Off‑peak share: ~10% (most use 5pm–10pm)
  • Example single‑rate: 26p/kWh, standing charge 55p/day
  • Estimated annual cost: (3,600×£0.26) + (365×£0.55) = £936 + £200.75 = £1,136.75
  • Example Economy 7: day 32p, night 14p, standing charge 55p/day
  • Estimated annual cost: day 3,240×£0.32 (£1,036.80) + night 360×£0.14 (£50.40) + £200.75 = £1,287.95

What this shows: if you can’t use much overnight, Economy 7 can cost more because the day rate is higher.

Scenario B: 3–4 bed home, heat pump + EV, scheduling overnight

  • Annual use: 9,500 kWh
  • Off‑peak share: ~40% (EV + hot water + some heat‑pump scheduling)
  • Example single‑rate: 26p/kWh, standing charge 55p/day
  • Estimated annual cost: (9,500×£0.26) + £200.75 = £2,470 + £200.75 = £2,670.75
  • Example time‑of‑use: peak 34p, off‑peak 12p, standing charge 55p/day
  • Estimated annual cost: peak 5,700×£0.34 (£1,938) + off‑peak 3,800×£0.12 (£456) + £200.75 = £2,594.75

What this shows: shifting a meaningful share into cheap hours can outweigh a higher peak rate — but only if your household can stick to the pattern.

Assumptions: standing charge applied daily; unit rates applied to kWh; VAT and other elements are embedded in illustrative rates for simplicity. Your actual costs depend on your region, supplier, meter configuration, and time bands.

Costs, exclusions and common pitfalls (UK‑specific)

All‑electric homes are more exposed to electricity price changes because there’s no gas bill to “balance” things out. These are the most common reasons people don’t land on the cheapest option for their setup.

Standing charges can dominate

If you’re a low‑usage household (e.g., small flat, out of the house often), a tariff with a slightly higher unit rate but a lower standing charge may be cheaper overall. Always compare annual cost.

Time bands vary (and can change outcomes)

“Off‑peak” doesn’t mean the same thing on every tariff. Some tariffs have multiple bands (e.g., super off‑peak, off‑peak, peak). Check the hours and whether they match your routines.

Meter compatibility can block a switch

Some multi‑rate or legacy meter setups can limit tariff choice. If you’re on Economy 7/Economy 10, confirm whether switching changes your registers or heating control times.

Payment method and credit checks

Some tariffs are priced differently for direct debit vs pay‑as‑you‑go, and some suppliers have eligibility checks. Your available “cheapest” options may depend on these details.

Exit fees: Some fixed tariffs include an exit fee if you leave before the end date. This matters more if you expect to move home or if prices are changing and you may want flexibility.

Heat pump reality check: A heat pump can be very efficient, but costs still depend on your insulation, flow temperatures, and heating schedule. A tariff can’t fix poor building fabric — but it can reduce costs if you can time certain loads.

Quick exclusions to be aware of

  • Not all suppliers support all meters: particularly complex multi‑register or restricted‑hours setups.
  • Smart tariffs aren’t always available everywhere: availability can depend on your region and meter status.
  • EV tariffs may have requirements: such as a smart meter, EV ownership, or specific charging integration.
  • Moving home: you may not be able to take your tariff with you; always check supplier terms.

FAQs: cheapest electricity tariffs for all‑electric UK homes

Is Economy 7 always cheaper for all‑electric homes?

No. Economy 7 can be cheaper if a meaningful share of your electricity is used overnight (often with storage heaters, timed immersion hot water, or EV charging). If most usage is daytime/evening, the higher day rate can outweigh the cheaper night rate.

Do I need a smart meter to get the cheapest tariff?

Not always. Many competitive single‑rate fixed or variable tariffs work with standard meters. However, most time‑of‑use tariffs (and many EV‑focused tariffs) require a smart meter so usage can be measured by time band.

Are tariffs cheaper if I pay by direct debit?

Often, yes — but it varies. Some suppliers price tariffs differently by payment method. When comparing, make sure you select the payment method you actually plan to use (e.g., monthly direct debit vs prepayment).

What’s the best tariff for a heat pump house?

It depends on how your heat pump is run. If your heat pump mostly maintains steady temperatures throughout the day, a strong single‑rate tariff can be best. If you can schedule some high‑load periods (plus hot water) into cheaper windows without harming comfort, time‑of‑use may reduce costs. Always compare using your expected kWh after installation.

How do standing charges affect an all‑electric home?

Standing charges are a fixed daily cost for maintaining your connection and metering. They can be a large portion of the bill for smaller households or low‑usage homes. For higher‑usage all‑electric homes, unit rates usually matter more — but standing charge still affects the total.

Will switching electricity supplier interrupt my supply?

Typically no. In the UK, switching supplier should not interrupt your electricity supply. Your meter stays in place; only the company billing you changes. Timelines and processes can vary if there are meter issues or complex setups.

Can I switch if I’m renting or in a flat?

Usually yes if you pay the energy bills and have a standard domestic supply. If bills are included in rent, or you’re on a communal / district setup, you may not be able to choose the supplier. If you have a prepayment meter, options may be more limited, but you can still compare what’s available.

What if I don’t know my annual kWh usage?

You can start with an estimate, but your results will be more accurate if you use your last 12 months of bills or your in‑home display/app totals. If you’ve recently added a heat pump, EV or electric heating, your historical usage may understate future costs.

Trust, methodology and sources

Page checks

Reviewed by
Energy Specialist
Last updated
April 2026

How we assess “cheapest” for all‑electric homes

We treat “cheapest” as the lowest estimated annual cost for a typical year of electricity use, based on your provided details. For all‑electric homes, the split between peak and off‑peak usage (and the standing charge) can materially change the outcome.

  • We compare: unit rates (by time band where applicable), standing charges, contract length, and any clear fees/eligibility rules shown with the tariff.
  • We prioritise: suitability for your meter type (standard/Economy 7/smart) and realistic usage patterns for heating/hot water.
  • We don’t assume: you can shift usage unless you tell us you can (e.g., EV charging overnight, immersion on a timer).

Limitations: Tariff availability and exact rates can change quickly, may vary by region and payment method, and some smart/time‑of‑use tariffs have complex rules. We recommend confirming time bands, meter compatibility, and any exit fees before you switch.

Independent UK sources we rely on

Ready to find the cheapest tariff for your all‑electric home?

Compare whole‑of‑market electricity tariffs by estimated annual cost, with meter and usage checks designed for all‑electric households.

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Note: The secondary button takes you back to the summary so you can double‑check what matters (meter type, off‑peak share, standing charge) before submitting your details.

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Updated on 16 Apr 2026