Cheapest electricity tariff for storage heaters (UK guide)
Storage heaters are usually cheapest on a tariff with a low overnight unit rate (but the “best” deal depends on your meter, heating pattern and supplier availability where you live). Use this guide to identify the right tariff type and compare whole-of-market options in minutes.
- Find out whether Economy 7, Economy 10 or a single-rate tariff is likely to be lowest for you
- Check eligibility by meter type (including smart meters and legacy RTS meters)
- See realistic example costs and common pitfalls before you switch
Estimates only. Tariffs vary by region, meter type, payment method and eligibility. Always check supplier terms, standing charges and any exit fees.
Fast answer: what’s usually cheapest for storage heaters?
In the UK, the cheapest electricity tariff for storage heaters is often a time-of-use tariff (most commonly Economy 7) because storage heaters are designed to charge up overnight using cheaper off-peak electricity. However, it’s not always the best-value choice for every home.
Often cheapest if…
- You have storage heaters and can charge them overnight
- You can shift 40%+ of electricity use off-peak (guide, not a rule)
- Your meter supports Economy 7/10 and suppliers offer it in your region
Not always cheapest if…
- You’re at home all day and use lots of power during peak hours
- Your heating isn’t actually storage-based (e.g. panel heaters used on-demand)
- The day rate is much higher than a good single-rate deal
Quick checks to do first
- Confirm you’re on a two-rate meter (two readings) or a smart meter set up for TOU
- Find your off-peak hours (they vary by area and meter)
- Compare using your annual kWh split (day vs night), not just the headline night rate
Plain-English rule of thumb: Economy 7 tends to work best when your storage heaters (and ideally some hot water) do most of their electricity use overnight. If most of your usage is daytime, a competitive single-rate tariff can be cheaper overall.
Compare tariffs for storage heaters (whole-of-market)
Tell us a few details and we’ll match you to suitable electricity tariffs for your meter type, including Economy 7/Economy 10 where available. We’ll show the estimated annual cost using your details, not just the cheapest unit rate.
Tip for storage heaters: if you can, have your last bill handy so you can estimate your day vs night usage. If you’re not sure, you can still compare—just treat the results as indicative until you confirm your split.
How to choose the right tariff type (storage heater households)
Economy 7 (two rates)
Typically 7 hours of cheaper electricity overnight. Good fit for storage heaters and immersion heaters set to run off-peak.
- Pros: often lower off-peak cost
- Watch-outs: higher day rate; off-peak times vary
Economy 10 (less common)
Usually 10 cheaper hours split across day/night (times vary). Can suit homes needing some daytime top-up heating.
- Pros: more off-peak hours (sometimes daytime)
- Watch-outs: fewer suppliers; more complex timing
Single-rate electricity
One unit rate all day. Can be better if you don’t use much off-peak, or your heating isn’t storage-based in practice.
- Pros: simple bills; no timing to manage
- Watch-outs: you may lose cheap charging hours
Smart tariffs (time-of-use)
Some suppliers offer smart TOU tariffs with multiple price periods. These can work well for load shifting, but require a compatible smart meter setup.
- Pros: potentially good for flexible use
- Watch-outs: price windows may not suit storage heaters
Important: Some legacy meters and related systems (including Radio Teleswitch/RTS) have needed upgrades in parts of the UK. If your off-peak switching seems unreliable or your meter is older, check with your supplier before switching tariffs.
Get your storage-heater quote
We’ll use your details to provide tariff options. If you’re contacted, it will be to help you complete your comparison or switch.
What you’ll need from your bill (if you have it)
- Your annual electricity use (kWh) or recent statement period
- If you’re on Economy 7/10: day kWh and night kWh (separate readings)
- Your current tariff name and any exit fee (if fixed)
- Payment method (Direct Debit, prepayment, etc.)
Comparison table: which tariff type is most likely to be cheapest?
Use this table to narrow down your best-fit tariff type. The cheapest tariff for storage heaters is the one with the lowest estimated total cost for your usage pattern—not necessarily the lowest night rate.
| Tariff type | Best for | Typical risk | What to check before switching |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy 7 | Most storage-heater homes with strong overnight charging | Day rate can outweigh night savings if you use lots of daytime power | Your off-peak hours, day/night kWh split, meter compatibility |
| Economy 10 | Homes needing some cheaper daytime top-up heating (where available) | Harder to find deals; timing varies; billing complexity | Supplier availability in your region; exact cheap periods |
| Single-rate | Low off-peak usage or panel heating used on-demand | You lose the benefit of cheap overnight charging | Whether your storage heaters are actually charging at night |
| Smart time-of-use | Very flexible users who can shift usage to cheap windows | Peak windows may be expensive; needs correct smart setup | Tariff time bands, your lifestyle, smart meter commissioning |
Decision checklist (quick and practical)
- 1) Can you reliably charge overnight?
- If your storage heaters are connected to the off-peak circuit and you use them properly, Economy 7/10 is usually worth checking first.
- 2) What’s your likely day/night split?
- A two-rate tariff can be cheaper even with a higher standing charge, but only if enough kWh are at the off-peak price.
- 3) Do you work from home or use electric cooking often?
- More daytime use can push you towards a competitive single-rate tariff (or a TOU tariff with suitable bands).
- 4) Is your meter type a constraint?
- Not every supplier supports every legacy setup. Confirm meter compatibility before you commit—especially for Economy 10 and older multi-rate meters.
Two realistic cost scenarios (with numbers)
These examples show how the same home can see different results depending on usage split. Figures are illustrative and rounded.
Scenario A: Storage heaters used correctly (Economy 7 likely)
- Annual use: 4,200 kWh electricity
- Night share: 60% night (2,520 kWh), 40% day (1,680 kWh)
- Example unit rates: 16p/kWh night, 30p/kWh day
- Standing charge: 55p/day
- Estimated annual energy cost: (2,520×£0.16)+(1,680×£0.30) ≈ £907
- Standing charge: £0.55×365 ≈ £201
- Total estimated: ≈ £1,108/year
Scenario B: More daytime use (single-rate may be cheaper)
- Annual use: 4,200 kWh electricity
- Night share: 25% night (1,050 kWh), 75% day (3,150 kWh)
- Economy 7 total (same example rates): (1,050×£0.16)+(3,150×£0.30) ≈ £1,113
- Standing charge: ≈ £201
- Total Economy 7: ≈ £1,314/year
- Example single-rate: 27p/kWh, standing charge 50p/day
- Single-rate total: (4,200×£0.27) + (0.50×365) ≈ £1,134 + £183 = £1,317/year
In this example the totals are close. A slightly better single-rate deal (or slightly higher Economy 7 day rate) could make single-rate clearly cheaper—this is why comparing with your real split matters.
Assumptions: Example rates are illustrative and not a quote. Standing charges and unit rates vary by supplier, region and payment method, and can change. Your actual costs depend on kWh usage and tariff terms.
Costs, exclusions and common pitfalls (storage heater tariffs)
The cheapest-looking tariff can become expensive if it doesn’t match your meter setup or lifestyle. Here are the most common UK issues we see with storage heater comparisons.
1) Wrong off-peak hours
Economy 7 “night” hours aren’t universal. They can differ by region and meter configuration (and may change with British Summer Time). Confirm your actual hours before setting heater timers.
2) Higher day rate shock
Many Economy 7 deals trade a low night rate for a higher day rate. If you cook electrically, work from home, or use tumble dryers in the day, your bill can rise.
3) Meter/tariff incompatibility
Some suppliers don’t support every multi-rate setup (especially Economy 10 or older meter wiring). If a switch requires a meter change, ask about appointment times and any implications for your heating circuit.
4) Standing charges & payment method
Standing charges vary and can materially affect low-usage flats. Prices can also differ for Direct Debit vs other payment methods, and for prepayment meters.
5) Exit fees on fixed tariffs
If you’re currently on a fixed deal, you may have an exit fee for leaving early. Check your latest statement or online account before switching.
6) Storage heater settings
Even with the right tariff, incorrect input/output settings can waste heat. If you’re unsure, check your heater model guide or ask your landlord/agent for operating instructions.
If you rent: you can usually switch supplier, but your tenancy agreement may require you to keep the meter type and not remove installed equipment. If your storage heaters depend on a specific metering setup, double-check before requesting changes.
FAQs: storage heaters and the cheapest electricity tariff
Is Economy 7 always the cheapest for storage heaters?
No. It’s often the best starting point because storage heaters charge overnight, but if your daytime use is high (or the Economy 7 day rate is particularly expensive), a good single-rate tariff can be cheaper overall. Compare using your day/night kWh split.
How do I know if I’m on Economy 7?
Look at your bill or meter: Economy 7 usually shows two readings (often labelled Day/Night or Rate 1/Rate 2). Your bill may also show separate day and night unit rates.
What are Economy 7 off-peak hours?
They vary by location and meter configuration. Many meters have seven off-peak hours overnight, but the exact window can differ and may shift with seasonal clock changes. If you can’t find it on your bill, ask your supplier to confirm your specific off-peak times.
Can I switch from Economy 7 to a single-rate tariff?
Often yes, but it depends on your meter and supplier. You may need a meter reconfiguration or exchange. If your storage heaters are wired to an off-peak circuit, changing meter setup could affect how they charge—check before confirming the switch.
Do smart meters make storage heaters cheaper to run?
A smart meter doesn’t automatically make electricity cheaper, but it can enable access to certain smart/time-of-use tariffs. Whether those are cheaper depends on the tariff’s time bands and how well they match your storage heater charging hours.
Is Economy 10 better than Economy 7 for storage heaters?
Not automatically. Economy 10 can suit households that need some cheaper electricity outside the overnight period, but it’s less widely available and can be more complex. The best option is the one that gives you the lowest estimated total cost for your usage pattern and region.
What if I have a prepayment meter?
You can still compare tariffs, but availability and prices may differ from credit/Direct Debit deals. Some multi-rate setups are more limited on prepay. If you’re in debt on the meter, switching options may be restricted until it’s resolved.
How can I reduce costs without changing tariff?
Check that your storage heaters are charging during off-peak hours, avoid using boost features unnecessarily, and consider shifting high-load appliances (washing machine, dishwasher) into off-peak windows where practical and safe.
Trust, methodology and sources
Page details
- Written by: EnergyPlus Editorial Team
- Reviewed by: Energy Specialist
- Last updated: June 2026
How we assess “cheapest” for storage heaters
We treat “cheapest” as the lowest estimated annual cost for a given household, not the lowest advertised unit rate. For storage heaters, the day/night split is usually the deciding factor.
- Inputs we prioritise: region (postcode), meter type (single vs multi-rate), payment method, tariff structure (unit rates + standing charge), and (where known) day/night kWh split.
- What we compare: estimated annual electricity cost = (day kWh × day rate) + (night kWh × night rate) + (standing charge × 365). For single-rate: (total kWh × unit rate) + (standing charge × 365).
- Limitations: supplier availability changes, some tariffs have eligibility rules (e.g. smart meter required), and your real day/night split can shift seasonally. Meter configuration can also constrain which tariffs you can actually move to.
- What you should verify: exact off-peak times, whether your storage heaters and immersion heater are on the off-peak circuit, and any exit fees or contract terms.
Independent UK sources we use
- Ofgem (UK energy regulator) — guidance on energy markets, switching and consumer protections
- Citizens Advice: energy supply and switching — practical consumer help on tariffs, billing and complaints
- GOV.UK — official information on support schemes and consumer rights (where applicable)
We also cross-check supplier tariff terms and eligibility notes at the point of comparison. If any supplier information conflicts with independent guidance, we prioritise regulatory/official sources and advise you to confirm directly with the supplier.
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