Could a half-hourly energy tariff cut my bill in the UK?
Half-hourly (smart) tariffs can reward you for using electricity when it’s cheaper. If you can shift demand — even a little — you could reduce your unit costs without changing supplier service levels. Compare whole-of-market UK deals with EnergyPlus and see what’s available for your home.
- Check if a half-hourly tariff suits your routine and appliances
- Compare whole-of-market tariffs — fixed, variable, and smart options
- See potential savings by moving usage to cheaper half-hours
- UK home energy only (not business)
Comparison is free. Prices and availability depend on your postcode, meter type and usage. We’ll show suitable options and explain trade-offs clearly.
Compare half-hourly energy tariffs for your home
Half-hourly tariffs (sometimes called smart tariffs or time-of-use tariffs) price your electricity in 30-minute blocks. When the grid is quieter, prices can be lower. When demand spikes, prices can rise.
EnergyPlus.co.uk is a whole-of-market comparison service. Use the form to see what’s available for your postcode, your meter type and your home — then decide whether a half-hourly tariff makes sense versus a fixed or standard variable tariff.
Tip: If you have (or can get) a smart meter, you don’t need to change your lifestyle completely. Shifting a few flexible loads (like washing, tumble drying, dishwasher or EV charging) can be enough to make a difference.
What is a half-hourly energy tariff in the UK?
A half-hourly electricity tariff charges you different unit rates across the day, based on half-hour time slots. Your smart meter records your electricity usage every 30 minutes and your bill reflects the prices for those specific periods.
How it differs from standard tariffs
- Standard/fixed tariffs: typically one unit rate (plus a daily standing charge).
- Economy 7 / multi-rate: usually two rates (day/night) with fixed times.
- Half-hourly tariffs: many rates per day (48 price periods), often tied to wholesale market conditions.
Do half-hourly tariffs apply to gas?
In practice, half-hourly pricing is mainly an electricity feature because smart meters can capture electricity consumption in half-hour intervals. Gas is usually billed with a standard unit rate and standing charge, even if you’re on a smart tariff for electricity.
Who can save on a half-hourly tariff?
Half-hourly tariffs tend to work best when you have some flexibility in when you use electricity. You don’t need a perfect schedule — but the more you can move high-power activities away from peak times, the better the odds.
EV owners
Overnight charging can be a big controllable load. Some half-hourly tariffs offer very low off-peak periods that can materially reduce pence-per-mile.
Homes with flexible appliances
Washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher are easier to shift than cooking or heating. Timers and smart plugs can help you avoid peak slots.
Solar & home battery users
If you can store electricity when it’s cheap (or when your solar is generating) and use it later, you may reduce the amount you buy during expensive periods.
Benefits and risks to consider
Half-hourly tariffs aren’t “better” for everyone — they’re a different way of pricing electricity. Use this checklist before you switch.
Potential benefits
- Lower off-peak unit rates if you can shift usage.
- More control: you can see which behaviours drive costs.
- Good fit for EVs and other scheduled loads.
- Supports grid balancing by using power when it’s plentiful.
Possible downsides
- Price variability: peak slots may cost more than a flat-rate tariff.
- Less predictable bills if your usage is mostly at peak times.
- Needs a smart meter (and the tariff may require half-hourly reads).
- Not ideal for some households (e.g. home all day with high daytime use).
How half-hourly pricing works (simple)
1) Your smart meter records usage every 30 minutes
Instead of one total for the day, your electricity consumption is split into 48 half-hour blocks. Your supplier uses these reads for billing (with your permission/settings).
2) Each block has a price
Depending on the tariff, prices can be published day-ahead, set into peak/off-peak windows, or linked to wholesale market rates. Standing charges still apply.
3) Your bill is the sum of your half-hour blocks
If you use more electricity during cheaper blocks, your average unit cost can drop. If most of your usage sits in expensive blocks, costs can rise.
4) You can change behaviour (or automate it)
Timers, delayed-start settings, and EV charging schedules help you move flexible usage. Many households start with one change (e.g. shifting laundry) and build from there.
Could it actually cut your bill? The quick maths
The key is your average electricity unit cost across the day. A half-hourly tariff can reduce your average if you shift enough kWh into cheaper periods.
Rule of thumb: If you can move high-usage activities (EV charging, laundry, dishwashing) into off-peak windows, you’re more likely to benefit. If your biggest usage is cooking and evening heating, gains may be limited.
Example: shifting 4 kWh per day off-peak
| Scenario | kWh moved | Peak price | Off-peak price | Indicative daily saving | Indicative annual saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Move laundry + dishwasher to off-peak | 4 kWh/day | 30p/kWh | 15p/kWh | 60p/day | ~£219/year |
| Move EV charging overnight (bigger shift) | 10 kWh/day | 30p/kWh | 10p/kWh | £2.00/day | ~£730/year |
Illustrative only. Standing charges, tariff structures and daily price patterns vary by supplier, region and date. Always compare on your own usage profile.
When it might not save you money
High evening usage
If most usage is 4pm–9pm (cooking, electric heating, entertainment), your costs can rise on tariffs with expensive peak half-hours.
Limited flexibility
If you can’t shift usage (health needs, caring responsibilities, working from home with heavy daytime power), a steady fixed tariff may be simpler and safer.
Eligibility checklist (UK homes)
You’ll usually need a smart meter
Most half-hourly tariffs require smart meter half-hourly reads. If you don’t have one, you can still compare options and see whether upgrading is worth it.
Your property and region matter
Tariff availability and standing charges can vary by region and supplier. That’s why postcode-based comparison is essential.
Check exit fees and billing style
Some deals have exit fees; others don’t. Also check whether prices are day-ahead, fixed peak/off-peak windows, or more dynamic.
Common mistakes to avoid
Comparing only the cheapest off-peak rate
A very low off-peak unit rate can look great — but if peak rates are high and you can’t shift enough usage, your average cost may increase. Always look at the full day pattern.
Forgetting the standing charge
Standing charges vary by region and can materially affect low-usage households. Compare the whole bill impact, not just unit rates.
Switching without knowing your usage pattern
If you can, review your smart meter app or past consumption habits. Knowing when you use electricity is the fastest way to judge suitability.
Assuming gas will get cheaper too
Half-hourly structures mainly affect electricity. If most of your bill is gas (especially in winter), focus on the overall dual-fuel deal and your heating efficiency.
Half-hourly tariff FAQs (UK)
Do I need a smart meter for a half-hourly tariff?
In most cases, yes. Half-hourly tariffs rely on half-hourly electricity readings, which are typically provided by a smart meter. If you’re not sure what meter you have, use the comparison form and we’ll show options that fit.
Are half-hourly tariffs the same as Economy 7?
Not exactly. Economy 7 usually has two rates (day/night) with set times. Half-hourly tariffs can have many prices across the day (48 periods) and may change more frequently, depending on the tariff design.
Will I pay more at peak times?
Possibly. Many half-hourly tariffs price peak periods higher than off-peak. The aim is to reduce your overall bill by shifting flexible usage into cheaper half-hours.
Can I switch back if it doesn’t suit me?
Usually yes, but always check your tariff’s terms, including any exit fees and whether you’re in a fixed term. EnergyPlus comparison helps you review these details before you commit.
Is my data shared if I’m on half-hourly reads?
Half-hourly billing uses more granular consumption data than monthly readings. Your supplier and meter settings control how reads are used. If you’re concerned, compare tariffs and ask about data settings and billing requirements.
Does this affect the energy price cap?
The Ofgem price cap applies to certain standard variable tariffs and sets limits on charges in specific contexts. Half-hourly and smart tariffs can have different structures. Compare based on projected cost for your usage rather than relying on cap assumptions.
Want a quick personalised view? Jump to Compare now and we’ll show suitable UK home tariffs for your postcode and meter type.
Why compare with EnergyPlus.co.uk?
Whole-of-market view
See a wide range of UK home tariffs in one place — including smart and half-hourly options where available for your meter and region.
Clear, comparable details
We highlight the things that matter: standing charge, unit rates, term length, exit fees, and whether pricing changes through the day.
Designed for real households
If you’re trying to cut costs without hassle, we help you weigh savings potential against bill predictability — so you can choose confidently.
What customers say
“I didn’t realise how much of our usage was in the evening. The comparison helped us pick a tariff we could actually make work — and we shifted laundry overnight.”
“We charge our EV after 11pm and the difference is noticeable. The whole-of-market options made it easy to compare the fine print.”
Ready to see if half-hourly pricing could lower your bill?
Compare whole-of-market UK home energy tariffs and get options that match your postcode and meter type. If half-hourly isn’t the best fit, we’ll show strong alternatives too.
- Free comparison
- Smart, fixed and variable tariffs in one place
- Plain-English guidance on costs and trade-offs
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Already on a smart tariff? You can still compare to check whether your current deal is competitive for your usage pattern.
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