What type of electricity tariff is cheapest for electric radiators?

For most homes with standard electric panel or convector radiators, which heat on demand rather than storing heat, a competitively priced single-rate tariff is usually cheapest. Economy 7 is designed for storage heaters that charge overnight, not for radiators used throughout the day. If you use electric radiators during the day, the high daytime rate on Economy 7 will typically make your bills higher than a cheap single-rate deal.

Is Economy 7 suitable for electric radiators?

Economy 7 is only beneficial for electric radiators if you can genuinely concentrate most of your heating usage in the off-peak overnight window, which is unusual for standard panel radiators. If your radiators operate mainly during the day or evening, you will pay the higher Economy 7 daytime rate for most of your heating consumption, which is likely to be more expensive than a single-rate tariff.

How much electricity do electric radiators use per year?

Annual electricity consumption from electric radiators depends on the radiator wattage, number of radiators, how many hours per day they run and the efficiency of your home insulation. A 2kW radiator running for 6 hours per day uses 12 kWh daily, or around 4,380 kWh per year for that one unit. A typical all-electric heated home may use 5,000 to 12,000 kWh per year in total depending on size and insulation.

Can a time-of-use tariff save money on electric radiator heating?

A time-of-use tariff can save money if you have smart electric radiators that can be programmed to boost heating during off-peak periods and reduce output during peak hours. Some modern electric radiators with thermal mass or phase-change materials can store heat during cheaper periods. If your radiators are standard panel heaters with no thermal storage, you have limited ability to shift usage to benefit from off-peak rates.

What unit rate should I look for on a tariff for electric radiators?

The lower the unit rate the better, since electric radiator running costs scale directly with the rate you pay per kWh. Every 1p reduction in unit rate saves approximately 10 pounds per year per 1,000 kWh of radiator usage. For a home using 7,000 kWh per year for heating, moving from 25p to 22p per kWh saves around 210 pounds annually. Comparing tariffs on total estimated annual cost using your actual expected usage gives the most accurate picture.

Are electric radiators cheaper to run than storage heaters?

Electric radiators heat on demand and pay the going unit rate whenever they run. Storage heaters charge overnight at the cheaper Economy 7 off-peak rate and release heat during the day. If you are on a well-priced Economy 7 tariff and use a significant proportion of your electricity overnight, storage heaters can be cheaper to run per unit of heat delivered. Panel radiators offer more control but at a higher per-unit energy cost unless on a very cheap single-rate tariff.

How do I switch to the cheapest tariff for electric radiators?

Compare whole-of-market single-rate tariffs using your postcode, meter type and payment method. Use your estimated annual electricity consumption in kWh, accounting for your radiator usage, to get an accurate total cost comparison. Switch to the lowest estimated annual cost deal you are eligible for. The process typically completes within a few working days with no interruption to supply.

Cheapest tariff for electric radiators in the UK (how to choose)

Electric radiators can be cost-effective on the right meter and tariff. This guide explains the cheapest tariff options for your setup, with UK-specific checks, examples and pitfalls to avoid.

Find out whether single-rate, Economy 7/10, or EV-style off-peak tariffs are likely to be cheapest for you
See estimated cost scenarios (with assumptions) and a comparison table you can use
Check eligibility: your meter, storage vs panel radiators, and how you heat water

Get your energy quote Jump to tariff comparison

Estimates are for guidance only. Prices vary by region, supplier, meter type, payment method and your usage pattern.

Fast answer: what’s usually the cheapest tariff for electric radiators?

There isn’t one universally “cheapest tariff” for electric radiators in the UK because the best deal depends on how many units you use off-peak, your meter type (single-rate vs multi-rate), and how your home stores heat.

If you use heat mostly in the evening

A competitive single-rate tariff is often cheapest, because Economy 7 can make your peak units expensive.

If you can shift lots of heating overnight

Economy 7/10 (or a smart off-peak tariff) can be cheaper if your home can store heat (e.g., storage heaters or pre-heating).

If you have panel electric radiators

These usually draw power when you need heat (often peak hours), so a low day rate can matter more than an off-peak deal.

Key takeaway: The “cheapest tariff” is the one that matches your heating pattern. If you can’t use a meaningful share of electricity overnight, off-peak tariffs can cost more overall.

Quick self-check (60 seconds)

What meter do you have?: Single-rate, Economy 7/10, or smart meter (multi-rate availability varies).
What type of electric heating?: Storage heaters vs panel radiators vs underfloor makes a big difference.
Roughly how much can you shift off-peak?: If it’s under ~30%, Economy 7 may not be worthwhile (often — not always).

What you’ll get from this guide

How to choose between single-rate vs off-peak tariffs for electric radiators
Two realistic UK cost scenarios with numbers and assumptions
A tariff comparison table + a checklist for your home
Common pitfalls (standing charge, water heating, meter changes, exit fees)

Compare tariffs built around electric heating

Tell us the basics and we’ll help you compare whole-of-market home energy tariffs available for your property and meter type. We’ll highlight options that can suit electric radiators (including off-peak, where eligible).

Tip: If you have Economy 7/10 or storage heaters, note your day vs night usage if you can. If you don’t know it, we can still guide you using typical patterns.

How to choose in 5 steps

Identify your meter: single-rate vs Economy 7/10. Check your bill or in-home display.
Confirm your heating type: storage heaters can take advantage of off-peak; panel radiators usually can’t as effectively.
Estimate off-peak share: what % of your electricity can be used overnight (heating, hot water, appliances).
Compare total annual cost: unit rates + standing charge, not just the cheapest unit price.
Check key terms: exit fees, fixed end date, payment method (Direct Debit vs prepay), and meter change implications.

Get your quote

We’ll use your postcode and a couple of details to show tariffs that match your meter and usage. This helps avoid “cheap rate” deals that don’t work for electric heating.

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Only if you’d like help understanding your best options.

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Meter type (if known)

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Tariff types compared (what’s cheapest for electric radiators?)

Use this table to narrow down the tariff type that fits your electric heating. Exact deals and eligibility vary by supplier, region and meter.

Tariff type	Best for	Watch-outs	Likely “cheapest” when…
Single-rate	Panel radiators, day/evening heating, simpler billing	If you do have storage heaters, you might miss cheaper overnight units	Your off-peak usage is low (often under ~30%)
Economy 7 (two rates)	Storage heaters, overnight water heating, people who can shift use overnight	Higher day rate can make evenings expensive; off-peak hours vary by region/meter	A large share of electricity use is overnight (commonly 40%+)
Economy 10 (where available)	Some all-electric homes needing daytime off-peak blocks	Limited availability; timings vary; can complicate switching and metering	You can use discounted electricity in set windows beyond overnight
Smart off-peak / tracker-style (varies)	Households who can actively shift use and accept price variation	Rates can change; may not suit those who need predictable bills	You can avoid peak times consistently and benefit from cheaper periods

Decision checklist: who it suits (and who it doesn’t)

Economy 7/10 often suits you if:

You have storage heaters (or can pre-heat a well-insulated home overnight)
Your hot water is on an immersion heater you can schedule off-peak
You can shift laundry/dishwasher charging overnight
You can track (or estimate) day vs night usage

Single-rate often suits you if:

You use panel radiators mainly evenings and weekends
You’re out during the day and can’t run heating overnight
You want simple billing and fewer meter constraints
You’re on (or considering) prepayment and need broad availability

Two realistic cost scenarios (estimates)

These examples are to show how the maths works. Your actual unit rates and standing charge depend on region, supplier and payment method.

Scenario A: Panel radiators (mostly peak use)

Annual use: 4,200 kWh electricity
Off-peak share: ~15% (630 kWh)
Single-rate: 24p/kWh, standing charge 55p/day
Economy 7: day 29p/kWh, night 14p/kWh, standing charge 55p/day

Estimated annual unit cost:
Single-rate: 4,200 × £0.24 = £1,008
Economy 7: (3,570 × £0.29) + (630 × £0.14) = £1,123.50

Standing charge adds ~£200.75/year at 55p/day for both in this example.

Scenario B: Storage heaters + timed hot water

Annual use: 7,200 kWh electricity
Off-peak share: ~55% (3,960 kWh)
Single-rate: 24p/kWh, standing charge 55p/day
Economy 7: day 29p/kWh, night 14p/kWh, standing charge 55p/day

Estimated annual unit cost:
Single-rate: 7,200 × £0.24 = £1,728
Economy 7: (3,240 × £0.29) + (3,960 × £0.14) = £1,493.20

Same standing charge assumption; Economy 7 wins here because most use is off-peak.

Important: Off-peak hours are not universal. Economy 7 times vary by region and meter setup, and can shift with daylight saving time on some meters. Always confirm your off-peak window before changing habits.

Costs, exclusions and common pitfalls (electric radiator households)

Electric heating can be expensive on the wrong tariff. These are the most common gotchas we see in UK homes using electric radiators.

1) Standing charge matters more than you think

If your flat uses relatively few kWh (mild insulation needs, small property), a higher standing charge can wipe out a cheaper unit rate.

2) Panel radiators don’t “store” cheap night electricity

Economy 7 works best when you can use electricity overnight for heat (storage heaters) or pre-heat a thermally efficient home.

3) Hot water can make or break the choice

If you have an immersion heater, shifting hot water to off-peak can materially improve Economy 7 value. If it runs during the day, costs can jump.

4) Meter & tariff eligibility isn’t universal

Some tariffs require a smart meter, specific meter configuration, or may not be offered in all regions. Prepayment customers can face fewer options.

5) Exit fees and contract end dates

Fixed tariffs may include exit fees. Factor these into “cheapest” calculations, especially if you plan to switch again within months.

6) Economy 7 timings can be confusing

Your off-peak window might be split or shift seasonally on some setups. If you guess wrong, you could heat at peak rates by accident.

If you rent: you can usually switch supplier, but check your tenancy agreement and ensure you have permission to change meters (if required). Keep records and don’t leave the property with debt on the meter.

What to gather before you compare

Postcode (regional pricing)
Current supplier and tariff name (if you have it)
Your meter type (single-rate vs Economy 7/10; smart/prepay)
Approx. annual kWh (from bill) or monthly spend
Any special setup: immersion heater, storage heaters, underfloor heating

If you’re trying to reduce electric radiator costs

Use programmer/thermostat schedules and avoid heating empty rooms
Check draught-proofing and insulation (often bigger impact than small tariff differences)
If you have storage heaters, review charge settings and timings
For immersion hot water, use a timer aligned to off-peak (if applicable)

FAQs: cheapest tariffs for electric radiators (UK)

Are Economy 7 tariffs always cheaper for electric heating?

No. Economy 7 can be cheaper only if you use enough electricity in the off-peak window. If most of your heating happens in the evening (typical for panel radiators), the higher day rate can increase costs.

What percentage of off-peak use makes Economy 7 worthwhile?

There’s no fixed rule, but many households need a sizeable share (often around 40%+) off-peak for Economy 7 to compete. The tipping point depends on the gap between day and night rates and your standing charge.

Do electric radiators qualify for “off-peak” tariffs?

Tariffs don’t usually check your radiator type — they’re based on your meter and tariff availability. The question is whether your heating setup can use off-peak electricity effectively (storage heaters are designed for this; panel radiators usually aren’t).

How do I tell if I have an Economy 7 meter?

Check your bill for two unit rates (day/night) or register readings labelled R1/R2, Low/Normal, or similar. Some smart meters show multiple registers. If unsure, your supplier can confirm your meter configuration.

Is Economy 10 better than Economy 7 for electric radiators?

Sometimes, because it can offer more off-peak hours (often split across day and night). But availability is more limited and timings vary by region and meter. Always compare the full annual cost and check whether switching would require meter changes.

Can I switch from Economy 7 to a single-rate tariff?

Often yes, but it depends on your meter and supplier. Some setups may need a meter reconfiguration or exchange. Ask about any costs, appointment timescales, and whether it could affect your heating/hot water controls.

Are prepayment tariffs more expensive for electric-heated homes?

They can be, and the range of tariffs may be narrower. However, pricing varies by supplier and region. If you’re on prepay, compare what’s available to you and check whether you can move to Direct Debit (subject to credit checks and supplier policies).

Will a “cheap overnight” tariff help if I don’t have storage heaters?

Potentially, but only if you can pre-heat and your home holds that heat (good insulation/thermal mass), or you can move other big loads off-peak (immersion hot water, EV charging). If your heating demand is mostly 5pm–10pm, a low single-rate can be safer.

Trust, methodology and sources

Page ownership

Written by:: EnergyPlus Editorial Team
Reviewed by:: Energy Specialist
Last updated:: April 2026

How we assess “cheapest tariff” for electric radiators

We focus on total estimated annual cost (not just a headline unit rate). For electric radiator households, the crucial factor is the split between peak and off-peak usage.

Inputs we consider: meter type (single/multi-rate), regional availability, payment method, standing charge, exit fees (where applicable), and usage pattern (day vs night).
Scenarios: we include examples for panel radiators (peak-heavy) and storage heaters (off-peak-heavy) using illustrative rates.
Limitations: tariff availability and prices change; some suppliers restrict certain tariffs to smart meters; off-peak times vary by region and meter setup; your insulation and controls affect how shiftable heating is.

Transparency: the example rates in this guide are intentionally simple to show the calculation. When you compare for your postcode, we use currently available tariffs and your details to estimate costs.

Helpful UK sources

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Updated on 19 Apr 2026