Economy 10 tariff guide & whole-of-market comparison
Find out how Economy 10 works, whether it suits your home (especially electric heating), and compare whole-of-market tariffs that may cost less for your usage.
- Understand your 10 off-peak hours (and when they apply)
- Check if you can switch, keep your meter, or move to single-rate
- Get matched to deals based on your home, region and heating type
Home energy only. We compare across a wide range of UK suppliers where available. Tariffs, meter types and off-peak times vary by region and network.
Compare Economy 10 tariffs (and alternatives) for your home
Economy 10 is a multi-rate electricity tariff that gives you 10 hours of cheaper electricity spread across the day and night. It’s often used in homes with electric storage heaters, panel heaters, or heat pumps where you can shift heating and hot water to off-peak periods.
Not every supplier supports Economy 10 in every area, and not every Economy 10 household is best staying on it. We’ll check whole-of-market options (where available), including:
- Economy 10 tariffs compatible with your meter setup
- Economy 7 or single-rate tariffs if they suit your usage better
- Fixed vs variable options (where offered) based on your preferences
Tip: If you’re not sure you’re on Economy 10, check your bill for two or more electricity unit rates (often “Day/Peak” and “Night/Off-peak”), or a tariff name mentioning Economy 10 / Heatwise / Total Heating Total Control (varies by region).
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Important: Economy 10 off-peak hours are not the same everywhere. Times are set by your meter configuration and local network, so always confirm your exact off-peak windows before changing how you use heating or hot water.
What is Economy 10?
Economy 10 is a UK electricity tariff designed to reward households that can use more electricity during off-peak hours. Unlike a standard single-rate tariff (one unit rate all day), Economy 10 usually has:
- Off-peak unit rate (cheaper) for a total of 10 hours per day
- Peak/unit day rate (more expensive) outside those off-peak hours
- Sometimes a third “shoulder” rate, depending on supplier and meter setup
Why it exists
It helps balance the electricity grid by encouraging consumption when demand is lower. Homes with electric heating can store heat or heat water during cheaper periods.
Where you’ll see it
Common in all-electric properties, flats with communal heating controls, and some areas historically served by specific tariffs (names can vary by supplier/region).
What it’s not
It’s not a gas tariff, and it’s not automatically “cheaper overall”. Your costs depend on how much electricity you can shift into the off-peak windows.
Who is Economy 10 best for?
Economy 10 can work well when you can run your biggest electricity loads during off-peak periods—especially heating and hot water.
Usually a good fit
- All-electric homes with storage heaters
- Homes with an immersion heater or electric cylinder heating
- Households that can run washing, drying and dishwashing off-peak
- People at home at different times of day (if your off-peak includes daytime blocks)
Often a poor fit
- Homes with gas central heating and low electricity use overnight
- Households where most use is in the evening peak (cooking, heating, entertainment)
- Anyone unable to shift usage (e.g., care needs, fixed schedules)
- Properties with complex metering where few suppliers support the setup
Rule of thumb: Economy 10 tends to make more sense if a meaningful share of your electricity (often 30–40%+) lands in off-peak hours—especially if that includes heating/hot water.
Economy 10 off-peak times: how they work (and why they vary)
Economy 10 usually provides 10 off-peak hours split into blocks (often overnight plus one or two daytime/evening periods). The exact times depend on your meter configuration and local network arrangements—so the windows can differ between regions, and sometimes even street-to-street.
| What you may see | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 3 time blocks (e.g., night + afternoon + late evening) | Off-peak is spread across the day to support heating/hot water top-ups. | You may be able to shift more use off-peak compared to Economy 7. |
| 2 rates on the bill (Day/Night) | You’re billed at two unit prices, even if off-peak occurs in multiple blocks. | Your “Night” reading may include daytime off-peak hours too. |
| Separate heating circuits / controlled load | Some systems meter heating/hot water separately from general power. | Supplier support can be more limited; switching needs extra care. |
| Smart meter installed | Your tariff can still be multi-rate, but billing and times may be configured differently. | Confirm the rates and switching path with your supplier or comparison service. |
How to confirm your exact off-peak hours:
- Check your latest bill for tariff details and rate periods.
- Look at your meter display(s) and note which register changes at different times.
- If unsure, ask your supplier to confirm the meter time switching or the off-peak schedule for your tariff.
Economy 10 meters, smart meters and switching
Switching on Economy 10 can be straightforward, but it depends on your meter type. Some Economy 10 setups use special wiring or controlled circuits for heating and hot water. Before switching, it’s important to confirm whether you have:
A standard multi-rate meter
Typically two registers (day/night). Many suppliers can support this, subject to availability and region.
A complex / restricted meter
Sometimes labelled as “related MPAN”, “heat” supply, or controlled load. Switching may be limited or require meter changes.
A smart meter
Multi-rate tariffs are possible, but your supplier must configure the correct registers and billing. Always verify rates in writing.
Can I move from Economy 10 to Economy 7 or single-rate?
Often yes, but it may require a meter reconfiguration or a meter exchange. If your heating/hot water relies on controlled off-peak circuits, changing tariff without planning can affect when heating is available or how it’s billed.
Before you switch: If you have storage heaters or an immersion heater tied to off-peak times, confirm how your new tariff will power them—especially if you’re moving to single-rate.
Economy 10 costs and savings: what to look at
Economy 10 can reduce your bills if you use enough electricity in off-peak hours. But the peak rate is often higher than a standard tariff—so it’s all about your usage pattern.
1) Check your split: off-peak vs peak
Your bill shows kWh on each register. If off-peak is low, Economy 10 may not be good value.
2) Compare unit rates and standing charge
Look at both rates plus standing charge. A low off-peak rate won’t help if the peak rate (or standing charge) is much higher.
3) Factor in heating and hot water habits
Storage heaters charge during off-peak. If you regularly use boost heating at peak times, you may lose the benefit.
4) Don’t forget timing changes
Off-peak windows can differ by meter and can shift with clock changes depending on setup. Always confirm your current and future times.
Simple savings idea
Run high-use appliances (washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher) during confirmed off-peak hours. If you have an immersion heater, ensure it heats water mainly off-peak.
Avoid common bill shocks
Boosting heating in the evening, using portable heaters at peak times, or heating water during peak can quickly increase costs on Economy 10.
Economy 10 vs Economy 7 vs single-rate
If you’re deciding whether to keep Economy 10, it helps to compare it to the closest alternatives. Availability varies by supplier and meter type, but the principles below stay the same.
| Tariff type | Best for | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| Economy 10 | All-electric homes needing off-peak across day/night, often with storage heating. | Not widely available; peak unit rate can be high; times vary by meter/region. |
| Economy 7 | Homes that can shift usage mostly overnight (7 hours), including EV charging in some cases. | Less daytime off-peak; may not suit daytime heating needs. |
| Single-rate | Households with steady usage, limited ability to shift, or low overnight demand. | You lose cheap off-peak; may require meter change depending on current setup. |
If you’re unsure, use the quote form and we’ll help you compare options that match your meter type and usage.
Economy 10 FAQs
Is Economy 10 cheaper than standard electricity?
It can be, but only if you use enough electricity in your off-peak windows. Economy 10 often has a higher peak rate than single-rate tariffs, so households with most usage at peak times may pay more overall.
What are typical Economy 10 times?
They vary by region and meter configuration. Many setups split the 10 hours into multiple blocks (often overnight plus daytime/evening). Always confirm your exact off-peak times with your supplier or from your meter/bill.
Can I switch supplier if I’m on Economy 10?
Often yes, but options can be more limited than for standard meters. If you have a complex or restricted meter setup (for example, controlled heating circuits), some suppliers may require a meter change before they can take you on.
How do I know if I have Economy 10?
Check your electricity bill for multiple unit rates, a tariff name referencing Economy 10 (or similar legacy names), or multiple meter registers. If you have storage heaters and an off-peak supply, Economy 10 is a possibility—but not guaranteed.
Will a smart meter remove Economy 10?
Not automatically. Multi-rate tariffs can exist with smart meters, but your supplier needs to set up billing and registers correctly. If you’re offered a meter exchange, ask how your off-peak rates and heating/hot water circuits will work afterwards.
What should I do before changing how I heat my home?
Confirm your off-peak times, identify which appliances/heating circuits run off-peak, and consider your comfort needs. If you rely on storage heating, altering timers without understanding the charging window can increase peak usage and cost.
Still unsure? Use our comparison form and we’ll help you work out whether Economy 10, Economy 7 or single-rate is likely to suit your household.
Why households use EnergyPlus
Economy 10 can be tricky because meter setups and availability vary. Our job is to make it clearer and help you compare options that fit your home.
Whole-of-market approach
We check a wide range of UK suppliers and tariff types (where available for your meter and region).
Meter-aware matching
We take into account multi-rate billing and common Economy 10 constraints so you don’t waste time on unsuitable deals.
Switch support
If you decide to switch, we’ll guide you through what happens next and what to check with your supplier.
What customers say
“I didn’t realise my ‘night’ register included a daytime off-peak window. EnergyPlus helped me compare like-for-like and avoid choosing the wrong tariff.”
“We’ve got storage heaters and Economy 10. The comparison was straightforward and the advice on meter compatibility saved us time.”
“Clear explanation of Economy 10 vs Economy 7. We switched to a tariff that better matched our routine.”
Trust note: Always check tariff details (rates, standing charge, and off-peak windows) on the supplier’s contract summary before you switch.
Ready to compare Economy 10 options?
Get matched to suitable tariffs for your meter and area. If Economy 10 isn’t the best fit, we’ll help you compare alternatives too.
Prefer to check first? Jump to meters & switching or off-peak times.
What you’ll need
- Your postcode
- Rough monthly spend or recent bill (if available)
- Whether you use electric heating/hot water
No scripts. No jargon. Just clear comparisons based on your home energy needs.
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