Compare Economy 7 Night Rate Energy Deals
Find whole-of-market Economy 7 tariffs for your home and check whether a cheap night rate could reduce your electricity costs—based on how you use energy.
- Compare day vs night unit rates and standing charges
- See if Economy 7 suits storage heaters, EV charging, and off-peak use
- Switch online in minutes with our UK comparison form
Home energy only. Whole-of-market comparison. Your savings depend on usage, meter type, and tariffs available in your area.
Compare Economy 7 night rate tariffs for your home
Economy 7 is a two-rate electricity tariff: a day rate and a cheaper night rate for around seven hours. It can work well if a meaningful share of your electricity use happens overnight—such as storage heaters, hot water immersion, or EV charging. If most of your usage is during the day, an Economy 7 deal can cost more.
Use the form to check available Economy 7 night rate energy deals in your area and compare against standard single-rate tariffs. We’ll focus on the numbers that matter: unit rates (day and night), standing charge, tariff type and any exit fees.
Tip: If you’re on Economy 7 already, have your latest bill handy. Look for two electricity readings (often labelled Rate 1/Rate 2, Day/Night, or Low/Normal).
Get Economy 7 quotes
Fill in your details to see whole-of-market options and whether a night rate could suit your household.
Not sure if you have Economy 7? Jump to how to check your meter.
What is Economy 7?
Economy 7 is an electricity tariff with two different unit rates: a higher day rate and a lower night rate for roughly seven hours overnight. The aim is simple: if you can shift enough electricity use to the cheaper window, your overall bill may fall.
Two readings, two prices
Your meter records day and night usage separately. Your supplier charges different unit rates for each.
Typically suited to electric heating
Many homes with storage heaters or immersion hot water were originally put on Economy 7.
Not automatically cheaper
Day rates can be higher than single-rate tariffs, so the balance of your usage matters.
Who are Economy 7 night rate deals best for?
Economy 7 can be a strong option when a good portion of your electricity consumption happens overnight. As a rule of thumb, it’s often worth exploring if you can use 30–40% (or more) of your electricity during the night-rate window. The exact break-even point depends on the day rate, night rate and standing charge of the tariffs available to you.
It may suit you if…
- You have storage heaters or an immersion heater timed overnight
- You can run appliances (washer/dishwasher) overnight safely
- You charge an electric vehicle mostly at home overnight
- Your household is out during the day, with lower daytime electricity use
It may not suit you if…
- Most electricity use is daytime (home working, cooking, tumble drying)
- You rely on electric heating during the day (panel heaters, electric radiators)
- You struggle to shift usage to off-peak hours
- Your current single-rate tariff already has a very competitive unit rate
Safety note: Only run appliances overnight if you’re comfortable doing so and following manufacturer guidance. Savings aren’t worth unnecessary risk.
Economy 7 times, night rate hours, and what you’ll pay
Economy 7 off-peak hours vary by region, meter setup and supplier. The night-rate window is usually overnight, sometimes split across two periods. Your bill and/or your meter display should show the exact switching times.
What changes on Economy 7?
- Night unit rate is cheaper during off-peak hours
- Day unit rate is often higher than single-rate tariffs
- Standing charge applies as normal (and can vary by supplier)
- You may need to provide two meter readings when prompted
Typical night rate hours (examples)
| Pattern | Example off-peak window |
|---|---|
| Single block | 00:30–07:30 |
| Single block | 23:00–06:00 |
| Split hours | 01:00–04:00 & 05:00–09:00 |
These are illustrative only. Always confirm your own meter’s switching times—especially around daylight saving.
How to check if you’re on Economy 7 (and what meter you have)
Before you switch, it’s useful to know whether you already have an Economy 7 (two-rate) setup. This affects your quotes and whether you may need a meter configuration change.
- Look at your electricity bill. If you see two unit rates or two readings (e.g., Day/Night, Rate 1/Rate 2), you’re likely on Economy 7.
- Check your meter display. Many meters show separate registers. Some cycle through using a button.
- Confirm the off-peak times. Your supplier can confirm the exact Economy 7 switching hours for your meter.
- If you have a smart meter: you can still be on a two-rate tariff; rates are applied by your tariff setup rather than the meter type.
Common register labels
Rate 1 / Rate 2, Normal / Low, Day / Night, or R1 / R2. Different suppliers use different wording.
If you want to move off Economy 7
If your home no longer benefits from a night rate, we can compare single-rate tariffs too. You may need your supplier to adjust the meter configuration in some cases.
Economy 7 savings: how to tell if the night rate is worth it
The value of Economy 7 comes down to one question: how much electricity can you use at the cheaper night rate? If the night rate is lower but the day rate is notably higher, you’ll need enough off-peak usage to offset the daytime cost.
A simple break-even approach
Compare an Economy 7 tariff with a single-rate tariff:
- Note the day unit rate, night unit rate and standing charge
- Estimate what % of your electricity is used overnight
- Run both options side-by-side for your annual kWh
If your home has storage heaters, your off-peak share can be high—so Economy 7 may be competitive. If you mainly use electricity in the day, a single-rate deal can be more predictable.
Costs to watch for
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Day rate | If it’s much higher than single-rate, daytime usage becomes expensive. |
| Night rate | The bigger the discount, the easier it is to benefit from off-peak usage. |
| Standing charge | Can differ by region and supplier; affects low-usage households most. |
| Exit fees | Some fixed deals charge if you leave before the end date. |
If you’re considering Economy 7 for an EV, check whether specialist EV tariffs or other time-of-use tariffs are available. Economy 7 is one option, but not the only one.
Common Economy 7 mistakes (and how to avoid them)
Assuming “night rate” always saves money
Economy 7 is only cheaper when enough usage moves to off-peak. Always compare total annual cost.
Not knowing your off-peak hours
Off-peak times vary. If your timers are misaligned, you may be paying day rates overnight.
Submitting one meter reading instead of two
With two-rate meters, provide both readings to avoid estimated bills and billing errors.
Economy 7 night rate energy deals: FAQs
Is Economy 7 the same as off-peak electricity?
Economy 7 is a common off-peak (two-rate) tariff, offering around seven cheaper hours at night. There are also other time-of-use tariffs with different time bands.
Can I get Economy 7 if I don’t have storage heaters?
Often yes, as long as your meter and supplier can support a two-rate tariff. The key question is whether you can shift enough usage to the night rate (for example, EV charging or timed hot water).
Do Economy 7 times change in summer?
They can. Some meters adjust automatically; others may effectively shift by an hour around British Summer Time. If your bills look off, confirm the actual off-peak window with your supplier.
Will switching supplier affect my Economy 7 meter?
You can usually keep the same meter, but the new tariff’s day/night rates will apply. If you’re moving from Economy 7 to a single-rate tariff (or vice versa), a meter configuration change may be needed in some cases.
Is Economy 7 available everywhere in the UK?
Availability and pricing can vary by region and network area. Enter your postcode in the comparison form to see options where you live.
What if I have a prepayment meter?
Some suppliers offer two-rate options for certain meter types, but it can be more limited. If you’re on prepay, it’s still worth comparing—prices and eligibility differ by supplier and region.
Why households use EnergyPlus to compare night rate deals
Whole-of-market approach
Compare a wide range of home energy tariffs, including Economy 7 and single-rate options, based on your postcode.
Clear tariff comparisons
We focus on day rate, night rate and standing charge so you can see what you’ll actually pay for your usage pattern.
Switch with confidence
Avoid common pitfalls like mismatched off-peak times and incomplete readings by checking the essentials before you switch.
What people say
“The comparison made it easy to understand day vs night rates. We switched to a tariff that fits our storage heaters.”
Homeowner, Yorkshire
“I wasn’t sure if Economy 7 still made sense. The quote results helped me compare against single-rate and decide.”
Homeowner, Greater Manchester
“We needed cheaper overnight electricity for EV charging. The postcode search showed what was available locally.”
Homeowner, Kent
Testimonials are illustrative and reflect typical user experiences; outcomes vary by tariff availability and usage.
Ready to compare Economy 7 night rate deals?
See whole-of-market options for your postcode and check whether a night rate works for your home.
No obligation. Home energy only. Tariffs and rates vary by region and eligibility.
Quick checklist
- Do you use 30–40%+ electricity overnight?
- Do you know your off-peak hours?
- Can you provide two meter readings?
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