Cheapest tariff for electric radiators UK (June 2026)

For homes heated mainly by electric radiators, the cheapest tariff depends on your meter, when you heat, and your region. Here is what is typically best in mid-2026, with worked cost examples and a free quote.

  • Quick verdict for May 2026: single-rate usually wins for evening-heaters; Economy 7 only if you can shift ≥40% of use to off-peak
  • How the Q2 2026 Ofgem cap (1 April – 30 June 2026) affects single-rate vs two-rate prices
  • Two realistic scenarios with assumptions clearly shown
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Estimates only. Your best tariff depends on meter, region, payment method and when you use electricity. Prices change every quarter under the Ofgem cap.

Fast answer (June 2026)

If electric radiators are your main heat source and you mostly heat in the morning and evening, a competitive single-rate fixed tariff is usually cheapest in 2026. The Q2 2026 Ofgem cap (1 April – 30 June 2026) lowered direct debit unit rates for England, Scotland and Wales versus winter, so many suppliers have launched 12-month fixes priced 2–6% below the cap.

Economy 7 only beats single-rate if you can shift a meaningful share (rule of thumb: roughly 40% or more) of your electricity use to the ~7-hour off-peak window — for example with storage heaters, a hot-water cylinder on a night timer, or a home battery.

Smart time-of-use tariffs (e.g. Octopus Agile, Tracker or Cosy; British Gas PeakSave-style products) can be cheaper still if you have a working SMETS2 smart meter, flexible routines and tolerance for variable pricing — but they are not the default for most electric-radiator households.

Key takeaways

  • The July 2026 cap announcement is due late May 2026 — short fixes (12 months) currently look better value than 2-year fixes for most electric-heating homes
  • Always compare on total annual cost (standing charge + unit rate × your kWh), not headline unit price
  • Standing charges still vary widely by region; northern Scotland, North Wales/Mersey and Merseyside/North Wales tend to have the highest electricity standing charges
  • Switching is usually free; check exit fees on your current deal first

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Tariff types compared for electric radiators (June 2026)

Indicative direct-debit unit prices and standing charges, based on the Q2 2026 Ofgem cap (1 April – 30 June 2026) and a sample of fixed deals available this month. Your exact rates vary by region and supplier.

Tariff type Best for Typical unit rate (p/kWh) Pros & cons
Single-rate 12-month fix Most electric-radiator homes that heat morning & evening ~24–26p Predictable cost; protects against cap rises. Some fixes have exit fees.
Single-rate (capped variable) Low effort, no commitment ~25–27p Moves with Ofgem cap each quarter; no exit fee.
Economy 7 Storage heaters, immersion tanks, EV / battery owners Day ~28–32p · Night ~13–16p Cheap nights, dearer days. Only wins if night share is high.
Smart time-of-use (Agile / Tracker / Cosy etc.) SMETS2 smart-meter homes with flexible heating Varies half-hourly or daily Lowest possible cost if you actually shift load; admin and tolerance needed.

Standing charges (separate) currently sit around 50–65p per day for electricity. Northern Scotland and North Wales/Mersey regions are usually at the top end.

Decision checklist

  • Most heating happens 6–10pm? → Single-rate fix is usually cheapest.
  • Storage heaters that charge overnight? → Economy 7 is usually cheapest.
  • You have a working SMETS2 smart meter + EV / heat pump / battery? → Worth testing Agile, Tracker or Cosy.
  • Tenant with a multi-rate meter and no flexibility? → Stay on single-rate or talk to your supplier about a meter change.

Scenario A — Evening heater (single-rate wins)

Assumptions: 2-bed flat, panel electric radiators, 5,200 kWh/year, 70% used 6am–11pm, 30% 11pm–6am. London/SE region.

  • Single-rate 12-month fix at 24.8p + 53p/day standing: ~£1,484/yr
  • Economy 7 at 30.2p day / 14.8p night + 60p/day standing: ~£1,567/yr
  • Saving by staying on single-rate: ~£83/yr

Scenario B — Storage heaters (Economy 7 wins)

Assumptions: 3-bed bungalow, storage heaters + immersion timer, 9,000 kWh/year, 55% used overnight off-peak. North Wales region.

  • Single-rate 12-month fix at 25.4p + 64p/day standing: ~£2,520/yr
  • Economy 7 at 30.8p day / 13.6p night + 63p/day standing: ~£2,166/yr
  • Saving on Economy 7: ~£354/yr

Rates are illustrative for May 2026 and round to the nearest penny. Always check actual quotes for your postcode and meter type.

Costs, exclusions and common pitfalls

Standing charges still bite

Low-use homes can be punished by daily standing charges of 50–65p, which add £180–£240 per year before you use a single kWh. Ofgem is consulting on a zero-standing-charge option for 2026 — worth watching but not yet widely available.

Off-peak window assumptions

Economy 7 windows vary by region and meter (often something like 12:30am–7:30am or 1am–8am). Assuming a fixed window without checking can wipe out savings.

Exit fees on existing fix

Many suppliers waive exit fees in the last 49 days of a fix. If you are mid-contract, factor in £25–£75 per fuel before switching.

Multi-rate meter compatibility

Some smart and time-of-use tariffs need a SMETS2 meter operating in half-hourly mode. Older Economy 10 / dynamic teleswitch setups have narrower supplier choice.

Electric-radiator tariff FAQs

Only if you shift a meaningful share of use to the off-peak window. With Q2 2026 Economy 7 day rates at ~28–32p versus single-rate at ~24–26p, you need roughly 35–45% of your usage overnight before E7 starts to beat a single-rate fix.
Check your latest bill or online account for terms like Economy 7, Two-rate, or Rate 1 / Rate 2. Smart-meter users can ask their supplier to confirm the exact off-peak window.
Ofgem typically announces the Q3 cap (1 July – 30 September) in late May. Most analysts expect the July cap to fall slightly versus April. A 12-month fix at 3–6% below the current cap usually beats a flat capped variable across the year even if the cap dips for one quarter.
No. Plenty of single-rate fixes are open to traditional meters. A working SMETS2 meter unlocks Agile, Tracker, Cosy, EDF GoElectric and other time-of-use products that can be cheapest if you can shift load.
Usually yes, but it can need a meter reconfiguration or exchange. SMETS2 smart meters can switch between single-rate and multi-rate without a site visit; older meters may need a technician. Ask your new supplier before you commit.
Economy 10 (with afternoon and evening off-peak boosts) suits some older storage-heating systems. Fewer suppliers support it in 2026 — EDF, OVO and Scottish Power are the main names. Compare against a smart Economy 7 + heating timer upgrade.
Yes. The cap sets different rates for each of the 14 GB electricity regions. The gap between cheapest and dearest region can be 4–6p/kWh on the unit rate and ~15p/day on standing charge — enough to change which tariff wins for an electric-heating home.
Picking an Economy 7 tariff just because the night rate looks cheap, without checking how much electricity they actually use overnight. The day rate is doing most of the heavy lifting in the annual cost.

How we assess this

Last updated
May 2026

Methodology

Indicative prices use the Q2 2026 Ofgem default tariff cap (effective 1 April – 30 June 2026) for direct-debit customers, blended across GB regions. Fixed deals reflect a sample of live products from the suppliers we work with. Scenarios assume the household profile shown; your bill will vary with consumption, region and payment method.

Sources & further reading

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Updated on 5 Jun 2026