What is an energy tariff with free electricity at weekends?

An energy tariff with free electricity at weekends is a UK energy deal where electricity used during set weekend hours is priced at £0 per kWh (or heavily discounted). You usually still pay the daily standing charge and you may pay a higher weekday unit rate, so the tariff only works well if you can shift a meaningful amount of electricity use to the free window.

Is weekend electricity really free (and what do you still pay)?

Typically, only the electricity unit rate (kWh) during the qualifying weekend period is free. You still pay the electricity standing charge and you will pay for any electricity used outside the free hours. If you have gas on the same account, gas charges are separate and not usually included in the free weekend offer.

Which households benefit most from free weekend electricity tariffs?

They’re best for households that can move high-consumption activities into the weekend free window—such as washing/drying, dishwashing, batch cooking, charging an electric vehicle, and running immersion heaters or heat pumps (where suitable). If most of your usage is on weekdays or you can’t shift demand, a standard tariff may be cheaper overall.

How do I know if a free weekends tariff will save me money?

Compare your current costs with the new tariff by estimating how many kWh you can move into the free weekend hours. As a rule, the more weekday kWh you can replace with weekend kWh, the more likely you’ll save—especially if you can shift large loads like EV charging or tumble drying. Check the weekday unit rate, weekend unit rate (free), standing charge, and any exit or switching fees, then run a full annual cost comparison.

Do I need a smart meter for free electricity weekends?

In most cases, yes. Suppliers generally require a working smart meter so they can measure your electricity use by time-of-use and apply the free weekend rates correctly. If you don’t have a smart meter, you may need to arrange installation before you can join (or fully benefit from) the tariff.

What times count as “the weekend” on these tariffs?

The exact free period varies by supplier and tariff—some define it as specific hours on Saturday and Sunday, and others may include Friday night. Always check the tariff terms for the qualifying days and times because usage just outside the free window is billed at the standard (often higher) unit rate.

Are free weekend electricity tariffs good for EV charging?

They can be, if the free window is long enough for your charging needs and you can reliably charge during those hours. For some drivers, an EV-specific time-of-use tariff (with cheap overnight rates) may be a better fit, so it’s worth comparing both based on your weekly mileage and charging routine.

Can I get free weekend electricity on a prepayment meter?

Eligibility depends on the supplier and tariff. Many time-of-use deals are aimed at credit meters with smart metering, but some providers may support smart prepayment. Check the tariff’s eligibility criteria and whether your meter type is accepted.

What should I look out for before switching to a free weekends tariff?

Before switching, check: the weekday electricity unit rate (often higher), the standing charge, the exact free weekend hours, whether a smart meter is required, any fixed-term or exit fees, and whether the tariff is electricity-only or part of a dual-fuel bundle. Also consider if you can realistically change habits to use more power during the free period.

How can Energy Plus help me compare tariffs and switch?

Energy Plus helps you understand tariff options and compare deals so you can choose a plan that matches your usage pattern. If you’re considering a free weekend electricity tariff, focus on the tariff’s time window and your ability to shift consumption, then compare total annual costs before switching. See more guidance at https://www.energyplus.co.uk/guidesfaqs/ and explore options at https://www.energyplus.co.uk/.

Energy tariffs with free electricity weekends (UK): compare & switch

Looking for an energy tariff that gives you cheaper or “free” electricity at weekends? Compare whole-of-market options with EnergyPlus.co.uk and see what’s available for your home—then switch in minutes.

Whole-of-market comparison for UK homes (not just a limited panel)
See weekend, off-peak and smart tariffs side-by-side
Check if “free weekends” really saves you money based on your usage
Switch online with a simple form—no phone calls required

Compare free weekend tariffs How free weekend electricity works

Availability varies by supplier, meter type and region. “Free” periods may come with higher rates at other times—always compare the total cost.

Compare UK tariffs that include free or cheaper weekend electricity

“Free electricity weekends” tariffs are usually time-of-use plans designed to shift your consumption into specific hours. Some advertise free electricity on weekends; others offer very low off-peak weekend rates instead. The key is whether your household can move enough usage into the weekend window to offset any higher weekday/unit rates or standing charges.

EnergyPlus.co.uk compares whole-of-market home energy deals, helping you understand:

When the “free” period applies (e.g. specific weekend hours vs all weekend)
What changes outside that period (peak rate, off-peak rate, standing charge)
Meter requirements (smart meter / half-hourly readings)
Exit fees and contract length (fixed vs variable)

Tip: If you do laundry, tumble drying, dishwasher runs, batch cooking, EV charging or immersion heating mostly at weekends, these tariffs may be worth checking. If your usage is fairly constant all week, a standard fixed tariff could be cheaper overall.

Ready to check what’s available where you live?

Complete the form to compare tariffs for your address and usage pattern. We’ll show suitable weekend/off-peak options and you can switch if it stacks up.

Get your personalised comparison

Postcode

Email address

Phone (optional)

Fuel

Do you have a smart meter?

Check eligibility

Home energy only. By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your quote and switch. We’ll use your details to provide a comparison and support your switch.

Who a free weekend electricity tariff is best for

These tariffs can be great in the right household, but they’re not universal money-savers. Here’s when they typically work well.

High weekend electricity use

If your busiest energy days are Saturday/Sunday—laundry, cooking, cleaning, gaming, heating water—shifting those loads into the free/cheap window can reduce the average unit cost.

EV drivers and hybrid owners

Charging an EV at weekends can be one of the biggest wins—especially if you can charge primarily during the advertised free period.

Smart home / flexible routines

Dishwashers, washing machines and immersion heaters can often be scheduled. The more flexible you are, the more these tariffs can make sense.

All-electric homes

If you don’t use gas, the electricity bill matters more. Time-of-use pricing (including weekend incentives) can be a bigger lever—especially with storage heating or heat pumps.

Families who batch-run appliances

Running multiple loads back-to-back (laundry/dryer/dishwasher) can stack savings if it’s inside the free/cheap hours.

Not ideal if you can’t shift usage

If most of your electricity use happens weekday evenings and you can’t move it, a “free weekend” tariff may cost more overall due to higher peak rates.

How “free electricity weekends” tariffs work in the UK

In the UK, a tariff that advertises free weekend electricity is usually structured around time bands. The supplier sets certain hours where the unit rate is £0 (or heavily discounted), while other hours have a higher unit rate to balance the overall cost.

1) A weekend “free” window is defined

Examples include specific hours on Saturday and Sunday, or occasionally a broader weekend window. Always check the exact times and whether bank holidays are included.

2) Prices shift outside the window

Peak weekday rates (and sometimes standing charges) can be higher than a standard tariff. Your overall cost depends on how much usage you can move into the free/cheap time.

3) Metering must support time-of-use

Most require a smart meter and half-hourly data so the supplier can bill different rates at different times.

Common UK tariff types you might see

Tariff type	How it’s marketed	What to check
Weekend free-hours tariff	“Free electricity on weekends”	Exact free hours, peak unit rate, standing charge, minimum term, exit fees.
Time-of-use / smart tariff	“Cheaper at night / weekend”	Number of time bands, weekend vs weekday pricing, whether rates change seasonally.
EV-focused tariff	“Low-cost charging hours”	Low-rate window length, eligibility requirements, peak rate impact on the rest of the home.
Economy 7 / Economy 10	“Night rate electricity”	Night/Day split, storage heating suitability, whether it beats standard single-rate pricing for your usage.

Plain-English check: “Free electricity” doesn’t mean a free bill. You’ll still pay standing charges, and electricity used outside the free window can be more expensive. The best tariff is the one with the lowest total annual cost for your household.

Will a free weekend electricity tariff actually save you money?

Savings depend on your weekend share of electricity use and the tariff’s peak rates. Use the guide below to sanity-check whether it’s worth comparing.

A quick rule of thumb

These tariffs tend to suit you if:

You can shift a meaningful chunk of usage into the free/cheap weekend hours (often from high-load appliances or EV charging).
The peak rate increase versus a standard tariff doesn’t wipe out the weekend benefit.
The standing charge is comparable to alternatives.

Costs to compare (don’t skip these)

Unit rate(s): peak, off-peak and weekend free/discounted bands.
Standing charge: paid daily regardless of usage.
Contract length and exit fees (if fixed).
Payment method: Direct Debit can differ from pay-on-receipt.
Billing data: whether half-hourly readings are required.

Where most households find “hidden” costs

Higher weekday peak rate

If your weekday evenings are energy-heavy (cooking, showers, heating water), a higher peak rate can outweigh “free” weekend hours.

Standing charge differences

A slightly higher standing charge can erase savings for low-usage homes such as flats or smaller households.

Limited free window

Some tariffs offer only a set block of hours. You may need to schedule appliances to consistently benefit.

Eligibility: do you need a smart meter for weekend tariffs?

In most cases, yes. Many weekend/off-peak tariffs rely on half-hourly consumption data to apply different prices at different times.

You’re more likely to be eligible if you have

A working smart meter (electricity, and sometimes gas for dual-fuel deals)
Permission for the supplier to use half-hourly readings (this can be part of sign-up)
Standard credit meter setup (some older complex meter types can be tricky)
No restrictions from landlord/management company (rare, but can apply in some blocks)

If you don’t have a smart meter

You can still compare alternatives:

Economy 7 (if you already have it and it suits storage heating)
Standard fixed tariffs that could be cheaper overall
Smart-meter installation options (depends on supplier and property)

Not sure what meter you have? Start the comparison at Compare & check availability and we’ll help identify suitable tariff types.

Common mistakes when choosing a “free weekends” energy tariff

Comparing only the free rate (and not the peak rate)

The free/cheap weekend unit rate is only part of the story. Always compare the weekday peak unit rate and standing charge because that’s where most of your annual cost may sit.

Assuming all weekend hours are included

Some offers apply only to a defined block of hours. If your “big” usage is outside that block, your savings can vanish.

Forgetting seasonal behaviour

Usage changes in winter (heating, lighting) can increase peak-time consumption. A tariff that looks good in summer can be less competitive in winter.

Not checking exit fees or contract length

If it’s a fixed tariff, check whether you can leave without a fee if market rates fall. Whole-of-market comparison helps you weigh this up before switching.

FAQs: free electricity weekends tariffs (UK)

Are free electricity weekend tariffs really free?

Usually the electricity unit rate is £0 (or heavily discounted) during specified weekend hours. You still pay the standing charge, and electricity used outside the free hours may cost more than on a standard tariff.

Do these tariffs include gas?

Some are electricity-only offers, while others can be part of a dual-fuel package. If you have gas, you should compare the combined annual cost rather than focusing only on the weekend electricity incentive.

Do I need to change my meter?

Often you’ll need a smart meter (or to consent to half-hourly readings) so the supplier can apply time-based prices. If you don’t have one, you may still be able to choose a different tariff type that better suits your home.

Can I run appliances whenever I like on Saturday and Sunday?

Not always. Many “free weekend” deals apply to set hours rather than the whole weekend. Always check the tariff’s time bands—especially if you plan to schedule washing, drying or EV charging.

Will switching interrupt my supply?

No. When you switch supplier in the UK, your energy still comes through the same pipes and wires. The change is administrative, and you should not lose supply during the switch.

How long does it take to switch?

Timeframes vary by supplier and circumstances, but many switches complete within a few working days. You’ll receive confirmation and your supply continues as normal while the changeover happens.

What if my usage changes later?

If your routine changes (e.g. new job hours, EV purchase, family changes), a tariff that once worked may not stay best value. That’s why comparing periodically—and checking exit fees on fixed plans—matters.

Want tailored guidance? Start at the comparison form and we’ll match you to suitable tariff types based on your postcode and meter details.

What customers value about comparing with EnergyPlus

“Clear breakdown of peak vs weekend rates.”

I nearly switched based on the ‘free weekend’ headline. The comparison made it obvious when it would (and wouldn’t) save money.

Home energy customer, UK

“Quick form and no pushy calls.”

Submitted my postcode and got a shortlist of sensible options. Switching was straightforward.

Home energy customer, England

“Helped me find a tariff that fits my routine.”

We do laundry and cooking in batches on weekends, so the weekend-focused options made sense for us.

Home energy customer, Scotland

Trust & transparency: We focus on total-cost comparisons and clear time-band explanations—so you can decide if a “free weekends” tariff is genuinely good value for your home.

See if a free electricity weekend tariff is right for your home

Compare whole-of-market weekend and time-of-use tariffs in your area. Get a clear view of peak vs off-peak pricing and switch if it reduces your annual bill.

Whole-of-market home energy comparison
Time-band pricing explained in plain English
Fast form—start with your postcode

Start your comparison

Go to the form Read FAQs

Already know your meter type? Great. If not, we’ll help you identify the best tariff options during the comparison.

Back to Guides & FAQs

Updated on 9 Jan 2026