Economy 10 Tariffs in the UK: Complete Guide to Times, Meters and Switching
Economy 10 (E10) is a specialist electricity tariff that gives you around 10 hours of cheaper off-peak power spread across the day and night. If you heat your home with storage heaters, electric boilers, underfloor heating or heat pumps, E10 can significantly reduce running costs compared to a flat single-rate. This guide explains how E10 works, typical off-peak times, metering, pros and cons, and how to compare and switch.
Takes 2–3 minutes • No obligation • UK households
Key points at a glance
- Economy 10 provides roughly 10 off-peak hours split across overnight, afternoon and evening windows. Exact times vary by region, meter and supplier.
- Designed for homes with electric heating and hot water, especially storage heaters and thermal stores that can charge during cheaper periods.
- Requires a compatible multi-register meter (legacy radio-teleswitch or smart meter configured for E10 time bands).
- Not all suppliers offer new E10 tariffs. Some will support existing E10 meters; others may suggest Economy 7 or a single-rate alternative.
- Off-peak unit prices are lower than peak, but peak rates can be higher than standard tariffs. Overall savings depend on your usage pattern.
What is Economy 10?
Economy 10 is a multi-rate electricity tariff with two or more unit prices: a cheaper off-peak rate available for around 10 hours per day, and a higher peak rate at other times. Unlike Economy 7 (which concentrates cheaper hours overnight), E10 spreads those hours across the day to better suit electric heating and hot water needs.
Typical E10 setups split cheap hours roughly as follows:
- Overnight: 5–7 hours (e.g., 00:00–05:00/07:00)
- Afternoon: 2–3 hours (e.g., 13:00–16:00)
- Evening: 1–3 hours (e.g., 20:00–22:00)
These are examples only. The exact switching times depend on your distribution network area, your meter programming and your supplier. Always confirm your off-peak windows on your bill, meter display or by contacting your supplier.
How Economy 10 time bands work
E10 time bands are controlled by your meter. Historically, many E10 meters used the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) to switch between peak and off-peak registers. Newer smart meters can be configured with E10 schedules without RTS. If you have a teleswitch meter, your supplier can advise on support and any required upgrades over time.
Important considerations:
- Clocks and seasons: Some E10 tariffs adjust automatically between GMT and BST; others keep the same fixed times year-round. Check your bill or supplier advice.
- Heating circuits: Certain legacy setups have a dedicated heating circuit that only energises during off-peak periods. Others simply charge different rates for whole-home usage.
- Smart enablement: With a SMETS2 smart meter, suppliers may be able to replicate E10 schedules or offer alternative time-of-use tariffs. Availability varies by supplier.
Economy 10 vs Economy 7 vs single-rate
| Tariff type | Cheaper hours | Best for | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy 10 | ~10 hrs split across night, afternoon, evening | Homes with electric heating/hot water needing daytime top-ups | Off-peak wider spread; peak rates often higher; availability limited |
| Economy 7 | ~7 hrs overnight | Night-charging storage heaters; households active overnight | Cheaper overnight; less helpful if you need daytime boosts |
| Single-rate | No off-peak window | Homes with gas heating or balanced all-day usage | Simple, predictable pricing; may cost more if you can shift usage |
Tip: If you can shift at least 40–50% of your electricity to off-peak periods, time-of-use tariffs like E10 or E7 often beat single-rate costs. Your actual threshold depends on unit rates and your appliances.
Who benefits most from Economy 10?
- Homes with storage heaters or high-heat-retention heaters that can charge during off-peak windows.
- Properties with electric boilers or thermal stores needing both overnight and daytime top-ups.
- Heat pump users in colder regions who appreciate additional afternoon/evening cheap periods for comfort.
- Households at home during the day (e.g., WFH) who can run washing, drying or immersion heaters off-peak.
- Off-gas rural properties with limited heating alternatives.
If you mostly use electricity during peak times and can’t automate or shift usage, a single-rate or Economy 7 may be better.
Economy 10 meters, readings and smart upgrades
Meter types
- Legacy E10 meter with radio teleswitch (often labelled RTS or with a separate teleswitch unit). Controls on/off times and, sometimes, dedicated heating circuits.
- Smart meter (SMETS2) configured for Economy 10 schedules. Not all suppliers support this; check before switching.
How to read an E10 meter
Most E10 meters show multiple registers. Common labels include:
- Rate 1 / Low / Night / Off-Peak
- Rate 2 / Day / Peak
- Heat / Controlled Load (if a separate heating circuit exists)
Press the display button to scroll through each register and note all readings. Submit every register when asked by your supplier to ensure accurate billing.
About RTS and smart migration
Many E10 meters historically relied on the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS). Industry plans have been to migrate RTS meters to smart or alternative arrangements. If you still have an RTS-controlled meter, your supplier can advise on support, timelines and any meter exchange required. Availability and timing vary by region and supplier.
Prices, bills and how savings add up
- Standing charge: A daily fixed charge similar to other tariffs.
- Unit rates: One cheaper off-peak rate and one higher peak rate; some legacy E10 setups may show a third “heating” rate.
- Billing: Your bill will list each register’s consumption multiplied by the relevant unit price, plus the standing charge.
Whether E10 is cheaper overall depends on your usage pattern. Maximise savings by scheduling high-load appliances—immersion heaters, storage heaters, laundry, and EV charging—during off-peak windows.
Regional time-band differences
Off-peak windows can differ by Distribution Network Operator (DNO) area (e.g., UK Power Networks, SP Energy Networks, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, Northern Powergrid, National Grid Electricity Distribution). Even within the same region, time bands may vary by supplier or meter type. Always confirm your exact times with your supplier or on your meter display.
Example only: some regions provide 7 hours overnight plus 3 hours split across afternoon and evening, whereas others may allocate 5+2+3 or 6+2+2. Do not rely on examples for scheduling—check your specific meter times.
How to switch to (or from) Economy 10
- Check your meter: Identify whether you have an RTS E10 meter, a smart meter, or a standard two-rate meter. Note your current off-peak times and all register readings.
- Compare tariffs: See which suppliers support E10 in your area and compare unit rates, standing charges and contract terms.
- Assess usage: Estimate what share of your consumption can move into off-peak windows. Consider automation (timers, smart plugs, heater controls).
- Confirm setup: If your new supplier doesn’t support E10, they may offer Economy 7 or a single-rate. A meter exchange may be required.
- Switch and submit readings: Provide opening and closing readings for all registers to avoid billing errors.
Check Economy 10 availability and prices
Usage tips to maximise Economy 10 savings
- Program storage heaters to charge primarily during your off-peak windows; use boost only when essential.
- Time hot-water immersion heaters to heat cylinders off-peak; insulate your tank to reduce heat loss.
- Shift laundry, dishwashers and tumble-drying into off-peak periods using timers or smart plugs.
- If you have an EV, schedule charging in off-peak windows where safe and practical.
- Monitor with in-home displays or smart apps to track how much usage you’ve moved off-peak.
Economy 10 FAQs
What are typical Economy 10 off-peak times?
They vary by meter and region. A common pattern is roughly 5–7 hours overnight plus 2–3 hours in the afternoon and 1–3 hours in the evening. Always check your bill or meter for your exact schedule.
Is Economy 10 cheaper than Economy 7?
It depends on your usage. If you need daytime top-ups for heating or hot water, E10’s spread-out cheap windows can beat E7. If most of your heavy usage is overnight, E7 may be as good or better.
Can I get Economy 10 on a smart meter?
Some suppliers can configure smart meters with E10 time bands, but not all do. Check with the supplier before switching. If unavailable, they may propose E7 or a different time-of-use plan.
What is the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS)?
RTS historically switched E10/E7 meters between peak and off-peak. The industry has been migrating RTS meters to smart or alternative solutions. If you have RTS, your supplier can advise on support and migration options.
Do off-peak times change when the clocks change?
Some meters keep fixed GMT times; others adjust for BST. The result can shift your apparent off-peak hours in summer. Your supplier or meter manual can confirm how yours behaves.
Can I use Economy 10 without storage heaters?
Yes, but savings are greatest if you can shift high loads (heating, hot water, laundry) into off-peak windows. Without load shifting, a single-rate tariff may be simpler and cheaper.
Will I need a new meter to switch to or from E10?
Possibly. If your new supplier doesn’t support your current setup, they may arrange a meter exchange (usually at no upfront cost, depending on the supplier and circumstances). They will confirm before switching.
How do I read my E10 meter?
Press the display button to cycle through registers and record each reading (e.g., Rate 1 off-peak, Rate 2 peak, and any dedicated Heat register). Provide all readings when requested.
Can Economy 10 work with EV charging?
Yes, if you charge during off-peak windows. Check your off-peak schedule; overnight hours usually suit EV charging. A smart charger can automate this.
What if no supplier in my area offers new E10 tariffs?
You may be offered Economy 7 or a competitive single-rate. Compare both against your usage pattern to see which gives the lowest annual cost.
Find out if Economy 10 will lower your bills
Share a few details and we’ll show available E10 options alongside Economy 7 and single-rate alternatives, so you can choose what’s best for your home.
No pressure to switch. You’re in control.
Information in this guide is general and may not reflect your supplier’s exact product or your meter’s configuration. Always check your bill, meter and supplier terms for precise off-peak times and pricing.
Back to Guides & FAQs