What is Economy 7 and how does it work?

Economy 7 is a UK electricity tariff designed for homes that can use more power overnight. You get two unit rates: a cheaper off-peak rate for around 7 hours at night and a higher day rate the rest of the time. If you can shift energy use (for example, storage heaters, immersion heaters, EV charging or running appliances overnight), you may reduce your overall electricity costs.

What times are Economy 7 off-peak hours?

Off-peak hours vary by supplier, meter type and region, but they usually total about 7 hours overnight. Your exact off-peak window should be shown on your bill, in your online account, or can be confirmed by your supplier. If you have a smart meter, the times are set and billed automatically according to your tariff.

Do I need a special meter for Economy 7?

Yes. Economy 7 requires a meter that records separate day and night readings (a two-rate meter). Many homes have a dual-rate meter or a smart meter configured for two rates. If you only have a single-rate meter, you’ll usually need a meter change to move onto Economy 7.

How do I read an Economy 7 meter?

An Economy 7 meter records two readings: one for day (peak) and one for night (off-peak). Some meters label them Rate 1 and Rate 2 (or similar). The label can differ by meter type, so it’s important to confirm which rate is your night register before submitting readings. If you’re unsure, check your bill or contact your supplier for guidance.

Is Economy 7 cheaper than a standard tariff?

It can be, but it depends on how much electricity you use overnight. Because the daytime unit rate is usually higher, Economy 7 tends to suit households that can shift a significant portion of usage to the off-peak window (commonly around 30–40% or more). If most of your usage is during the day, a single-rate tariff may work out better.

Who is Economy 7 best for?

Economy 7 is often a good fit for homes with storage heaters, immersion heaters on a timer, electric-only heating, or EV charging that can run overnight. It’s also useful if you can routinely run high-consumption appliances (washing machine, dishwasher, tumble dryer) in the off-peak period.

Can I switch to Economy 7 (or switch away) if I already have it?

In many cases, yes. You can usually switch electricity tariffs and suppliers, but moving between single-rate and Economy 7 may require your meter to be configured appropriately (or replaced). If you’re considering a change, compare costs using your current day/night split and confirm any meter work or timing changes before switching.

Does Economy 7 affect my standing charge?

Standing charges are set by tariff and region, so they may differ between Economy 7 and single-rate tariffs. The main cost difference is usually the day vs night unit rates, but you should always compare the full tariff details, including standing charges.

How can I save more on Economy 7?

To make Economy 7 work harder for you, shift electricity-heavy activities into the off-peak window where possible: set immersion heaters and storage heaters correctly, use timers for appliances, and schedule EV charging overnight. Reviewing your bills to understand your day/night split can help you decide whether Economy 7 is still the best option for your household.

Where can I get help choosing the right tariff?

If you’re not sure whether Economy 7 is right for your home, Energy Plus can help you understand your options and choose a tariff that matches your usage. Visit https://www.energyplus.co.uk/ to explore tariffs and support.

Economy 7 tariffs: compare cheaper night-rate electricity

Economy 7 can reduce your electricity costs if you use more power overnight (typically for storage heaters or an immersion heater). Compare whole-of-market home energy tariffs with EnergyPlus and see whether switching to (or from) Economy 7 makes sense for your household.

Check if Economy 7 suits your usage pattern and heating setup
Compare day and night unit rates across UK suppliers
Switch to a better tariff without guesswork

Compare Economy 7 deals Is Economy 7 right for me?

Home energy only. Whole-of-market comparison. Tariffs and availability vary by region, meter type and supplier.

Compare Economy 7 tariffs (whole-of-market)

Economy 7 tariffs have two electricity unit rates: a day rate (higher) and a night rate (lower) for a set block of off-peak hours. Whether it saves you money depends on how much electricity you use at night and what you use it for.

Use the form to get a tailored comparison. We’ll match you against tariffs available for your meter type and region, and highlight options that may reduce your annual cost.

Have an Economy 7 meter already?

If your meter has separate day/night readings (often shown as Rate 1 / Rate 2), choose “Economy 7 / multi-rate” in the form. If you’re not sure, you can still submit—tell us what’s on your meter and we’ll help identify it.

What you’ll need (takes about 2 minutes)

Your postcode (to check regional availability)
A contact email and number (so we can send your results)
Optional: your current supplier and whether you have storage heating

Tip: If you’re in an all-electric home, Economy 7 often works best when you can shift high use (heating water, storage heaters, EV charging, appliances) into off-peak hours.

Why households use Economy 7

Lower night unit rate

You pay a cheaper rate for a set block of off-peak hours—useful for heating water overnight or charging an EV when demand is lower.

Designed for electric heating

Economy 7 is common in flats and homes with storage heaters. You heat cheaply overnight and release warmth during the day.

Clearer switching decisions

Comparing day/night rates side-by-side can reveal whether a single-rate tariff might be better (especially if you’re rarely using power overnight).

What is Economy 7?

Economy 7 is a type of UK electricity tariff that offers two unit rates: a cheaper night rate for around seven hours and a higher day rate for the remaining hours. Your electricity meter records usage in two registers (often labelled R1/R2 or Low/Normal).

Important: The off-peak window is not identical for every home. The exact hours can vary by region, meter setup and supplier. If you rely on overnight heating or hot water, always confirm the timings before switching.

How to tell if you have an Economy 7 meter

Your bill shows two electricity unit rates (day and night) and two consumption lines.
Your meter display cycles through two readings (for example: “Rate 1” and “Rate 2”).
You have storage heaters or an immersion heater that heats water overnight.

How Economy 7 works (day vs night)

What you pay for

Charge	What it means
Day unit rate	Higher price per kWh during daytime and peak hours.
Night unit rate	Lower price per kWh for around seven off-peak hours.
Standing charge	Daily fixed cost (applies as with other tariffs).

Typical overnight uses

Storage heaters charging overnight to heat rooms during the day.
Hot water via immersion heater set to heat in off-peak hours.
EV charging and some battery storage setups.
Running appliances with timers (dishwasher, washing machine) if safe to do so.

If most of your electricity is used in the day (cooking, home working, electric showers), Economy 7 may cost more than a single-rate tariff.

Do smart meters work with Economy 7?

Yes—many homes have smart meters configured for multi-rate tariffs (including Economy 7). Your In-Home Display may show separate rates or you may see them on your bill/app. Configuration depends on supplier and meter setup.

Is Economy 7 right for your home?

Economy 7 may suit you if…

You heat your home with storage heaters.
You can shift a meaningful share of usage to night (e.g., hot water, EV).
Your property is all-electric (no mains gas) and you use timers/controls.
You know (or can confirm) your off-peak hours and can use them.

A single-rate tariff may suit you if…

Most of your electricity is used during the day (cooking, home working).
You have little or no overnight load and don’t use storage heating.
Your day rate on Economy 7 is noticeably higher than standard tariffs.
You want simpler billing (one unit rate).

Rule of thumb: The higher your overnight usage share, the more likely Economy 7 helps. The exact breakeven point depends on the day/night unit rates and standing charge. Use our comparison form for an estimate based on tariffs available to you.

Understanding Economy 7 rates and potential savings

With Economy 7 you’re trading a cheaper night rate for a higher day rate. Savings come from moving enough kWh into the night window to outweigh the daytime premium. These are the key factors that influence the outcome:

Day vs night unit rates

The bigger the gap between rates, the more you benefit from shifting usage overnight—provided your day usage doesn’t dominate.

Standing charge

Standing charges vary by supplier and region. A lower standing charge can matter as much as unit rates for low-usage households.

Your usage split

If you mainly use electricity in the day, the higher day rate can outweigh night savings. Storage heating and EV charging increase night usage.

Quick check: how to estimate your night usage share

Look at your bill/app for day kWh and night kWh (or Rate 1/Rate 2).
Calculate night share = night kWh ÷ (day kWh + night kWh).
Compare tariffs using both rates (and standing charge). If you don’t have separate figures, submit the form and we’ll help you sense-check.

Economy 7 and storage heaters (what to watch)

If you have storage heaters, Economy 7 can be a practical fit because the heaters draw most of their electricity overnight and release heat during the day. However, performance and cost depend heavily on controls and habits.

Best practice

Set the heater to charge during off-peak hours (check your meter timings).
Adjust input/output controls to avoid running out of heat early.
Use the boost function sparingly—boost is usually charged at the day rate.
Consider improving insulation and draught-proofing to keep heat longer.

Common signals Economy 7 may not be working

You rely on daytime boost most days.
Your hot water is heating at the day rate due to timer settings.
You’re out during the day and only need heat evenings—other setups may suit better.
Your day rate is significantly higher than comparable single-rate tariffs.

Hot water tip: If you have an immersion heater, make sure the timer aligns to your off-peak hours. A mis-set timer is one of the fastest ways to lose Economy 7 savings.

Common Economy 7 mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Not knowing your off-peak times

Off-peak hours vary. Confirm the window with your supplier and align timers (immersion heater, EV charger, appliances).

Assuming Economy 7 is always cheaper

The day rate is often higher than standard tariffs. If your overnight usage is low, you may pay more overall.

Mixing up meter readings

Submitting day/night readings the wrong way round can distort bills. Check which register is day vs night on your meter or bill.

Thinking of switching away from Economy 7?

Many suppliers can offer a single-rate tariff on a multi-rate meter, but availability varies. In some cases a meter reconfiguration or exchange may be needed. Use the comparison form and we’ll outline your options.

Economy 7 FAQs

What time does Economy 7 switch to night rate?

There isn’t one universal time. The off-peak window is typically overnight for around seven hours, but exact times depend on your meter configuration and region. Check your bill or ask your supplier for the specific times for your property.

Can I get Economy 7 if I don’t have storage heaters?

Possibly, but it’s only worthwhile if you can shift enough usage into off-peak hours (e.g., EV charging or significant overnight hot water). Otherwise, a single-rate tariff may be cheaper.

Is Economy 7 the same as Economy 10?

No. Economy 10 offers around ten off-peak hours (often split across day/evening/night) and is less common. Availability depends on your region, meter and supplier.

Will switching tariff change my meter?

Not always. Some suppliers can switch you between Economy 7 and single-rate tariffs without replacing the meter, while others may require a meter reconfiguration or exchange. We’ll flag this during comparison.

Why are my Economy 7 bills higher in winter?

If you heat with electricity, winter usage rises—particularly for space heating and hot water. If you use more daytime boost heating, you may pay more at the higher day rate.

Do I need to submit two meter readings?

If you have an Economy 7 (multi-rate) meter, yes—there are usually two registers. Your bill will typically show two readings and two kWh figures.

Still unsure? Jump back to compare Economy 7 tariffs and tell us what you see on your meter—we’ll help you identify it.

Why switch with EnergyPlus?

Whole-of-market comparison

We compare tariffs across UK suppliers, including Economy 7 and single-rate options, to help you find the best fit for your usage.

Clear, practical guidance

We explain what the day/night split means in real terms—especially for storage heating and hot water—so you can switch with confidence.

Help if your meter is confusing

Rate 1/Rate 2, smart meter screens, multi-register readings—we’ll help you sense-check what you have and what you can switch to.

What customers say

“I didn’t realise my hot water was heating at the day rate. EnergyPlus helped me compare Economy 7 options and explained the meter readings clearly.”

Homeowner, South East

“The comparison made it obvious a standard tariff suited us better. Simple form and quick follow-up.”

Flat resident, Scotland

Testimonials are representative and shared with permission. Individual savings vary by tariff, usage and meter setup.

Ready to check Economy 7 for your home?

Tell us your postcode and contact details. We’ll compare day/night tariffs across the market and help you decide whether Economy 7 is the right choice.

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EnergyPlus.co.uk helps UK households compare home energy tariffs. We do not provide business energy quotes on this page.

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Updated on 3 Feb 2026