Energy tariffs with cheap evening rates in the UK
Compare whole-of-market electricity and dual fuel tariffs designed for cheaper evening energy use. Tell us about your home and we’ll help you find options that match your usage pattern.
- Ideal if you use more electricity after 4pm–11pm (cooking, laundry, EV charging, heat pumps)
- See tariffs with evening-friendly pricing, off-peak windows, or smart time-of-use rates
- Switch without the hassle — quick form, clear next steps
Home energy only. Tariff availability varies by region, meter type and supplier. We’ll use your details to show suitable options.
Find an evening-rate tariff that suits how your household uses energy
If your electricity use peaks in the evening, a tariff with cheaper evening rates (or a time-of-use plan with lower prices during your busiest hours) can reduce your bills — but only if the pricing windows match your routine.
EnergyPlus is a UK comparison service that looks across the market to identify suitable home energy tariffs. Share a few details and we’ll help you compare options such as:
- Smart time-of-use tariffs with defined cheaper periods that may include evenings
- Multi-rate plans (e.g. Economy-style) where rates vary by time
- Fixed or variable tariffs that may still be best overall if your evening rates aren’t truly cheaper
Tip: “Cheap evening rates” often means the unit price is lower during an evening window, but some tariffs balance this with higher daytime rates or a higher standing charge. Comparing based on your actual usage pattern matters.
Prefer to research first? Use the jump links above to understand evening-rate pricing, meter requirements and how to avoid common switching mistakes.
Why choose a tariff with cheaper evening rates?
Evening-friendly pricing can work well for UK households that do most of their energy-intensive tasks after work or school. The key is aligning your highest kWh usage with the cheapest period.
Lower unit prices when you actually use power
If your household uses more electricity between late afternoon and bedtime, a cheaper evening unit rate can reduce the cost of everyday essentials like cooking, washing and heating controls.
Better value for EV charging & smart home routines
Some time-of-use tariffs include discounted periods that can suit evening top-ups, scheduled appliance use, and battery storage — depending on the tariff’s time bands.
Clearer control over bills
When rates vary by time, you can shift flexible usage into cheaper windows and see the impact. That’s especially useful for households working from home, families, and high-usage homes.
How “cheap evening rates” work on UK energy tariffs
In the UK, suppliers price electricity using a unit rate (p/kWh) and a standing charge (p/day). An “evening-rate” tariff typically means the unit rate changes by time of day — but the exact hours and prices depend on the product, your meter, and where you live.
Key terms to know
- Peak: higher priced periods (often early evening on time-of-use tariffs)
- Off-peak: discounted periods (often overnight; sometimes late evening)
- Time-of-use (TOU): smart tariffs where rates vary by set time bands
- Multi-rate meter: a meter set up to record usage in different time periods
- Standing charge: daily fixed cost regardless of usage
What counts as “evening”?
There’s no single definition. Some tariffs offer a cheaper period that starts late evening (e.g. after 9pm). Others focus discounts overnight. A few products may include shoulder periods that cover parts of the evening.
When you compare, look for the time band (start and end time) and whether it changes at weekends or seasonally.
A simple way to judge if you’ll benefit
- Estimate your evening share: what percentage of your electricity is used between roughly 4pm and 11pm?
- Check the discounted window: is it actually in the evening, or mainly overnight?
- Compare the full cost: standing charge + all unit rates based on your typical usage.
- Confirm meter compatibility: many TOU tariffs require a smart meter (or a specific multi-rate setup).
Good to know: If you can shift flexible usage (dishwasher, tumble dryer, immersion heater, EV charging) into the cheapest period, you typically see better results than relying on “evening use” alone.
Types of UK tariffs that can suit evening-heavy households
Not every household needs a dedicated evening-rate tariff. Below is a practical comparison of the main tariff structures you’ll see when searching for cheap evening electricity rates in the UK.
| Tariff type | How pricing works | Best for | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time-of-use (smart) | Multiple unit rates by time band (sometimes 3+ rates). | Homes that can shift usage to cheaper bands; EV owners; battery users. | Peak rates can be higher; you need the right meter and routine alignment. |
| Two-rate / Economy-style | Day rate + night/off-peak rate set by meter schedule. | Households with storage heating or significant off-peak usage. | The cheap period is often overnight rather than early evening. |
| Fixed rate | Same unit rate all day for a set term (often 12–24 months). | People wanting predictability and simple budgeting. | No evening discount; early exit fees may apply. |
| Variable (incl. standard variable) | Rates can change; usually one unit rate for all times. | Short-term flexibility; switching when a better deal appears. | Less price certainty; not designed for evening optimisation. |
If you’re specifically searching for cheap evening rates, focus on time-of-use products and confirm the discounted band covers your true evening usage — not just overnight hours.
Evening-rate savings: what to look at (beyond the headline unit rate)
A tariff can advertise a low evening unit rate, but your total bill depends on when you use electricity and how much you use overall. Use the checklist below to compare tariffs like-for-like.
Your bill is usually driven by:
- Standing charge (daily fixed cost)
- Peak unit rate (often early evening on TOU tariffs)
- Off-peak/evening unit rate (the discounted band)
- How much usage you can shift without changing your lifestyle too much
Quick “fit check” questions
- Does the cheap band cover your evening routine (e.g. 6–10pm)?
- Are you at home during peak hours, and is the peak unit rate much higher?
- Is the standing charge higher than your current tariff?
- Do you have an EV, battery, immersion heater or other flexible loads?
Practical approach: If you can’t shift much usage out of peak times, a straightforward fixed tariff might still be cheaper overall. Our comparison looks at suitability rather than just one “cheap rate”.
Eligibility & what you may need before switching
Many evening-rate options in the UK rely on how your meter records usage. Before switching, it helps to know what you currently have and what you’re happy to install.
Smart meter
Some time-of-use tariffs require a compatible smart meter so the supplier can apply different rates by time band.
Multi-rate setup
If you’re on an Economy-style tariff, your meter may already record day/night usage. Switching to the wrong product can remove the benefit.
Regional availability
Standing charges and some tariff options vary by region. Your postcode helps confirm what’s available where you live.
If you have storage heaters: be cautious when switching. Some households rely on overnight/off-peak electricity for heating. We’ll help you compare with that in mind.
Common mistakes when chasing cheap evening electricity rates
Evening-rate tariffs can be excellent — but only when they match your usage. Here are the most common pitfalls we see.
1) Comparing the cheap rate only
A low evening unit rate doesn’t help if the peak rate (or standing charge) increases your overall bill. Always check total cost for your usage pattern.
2) Assuming “evening” means 5–10pm
Many discounted periods are overnight. If your main usage is early evening, you may not benefit unless the tariff’s cheap band matches those hours.
3) Switching without checking meter setup
Some homes have multi-register meters. Switching to a single-rate tariff without understanding your setup can create billing issues or remove off-peak benefits.
4) Not planning usage shifts
The biggest savings often come from moving flexible loads into the cheapest period (timers, smart plugs, EV scheduling), not from doing nothing and hoping.
FAQs: evening-rate energy tariffs in the UK
Are cheap evening rates the same as Economy 7?
Not necessarily. Economy-style tariffs typically provide a cheaper overnight rate for a set number of hours. “Cheap evening rates” may refer to a time-of-use tariff where the discounted period is late evening, overnight, or a mix of bands. Always check the exact time window.
Do I need a smart meter for a time-of-use tariff?
Many time-of-use tariffs do require a smart meter, because your supplier needs half-hourly readings (or similar) to apply the correct unit rate by time band. Some multi-rate tariffs can work on existing multi-register meters. Availability varies by supplier.
What if I use most electricity between 5pm and 8pm?
Be careful: early evening is often a peak period on time-of-use tariffs. If you can’t shift usage later (e.g. after 9pm) or overnight, you may be better off with a competitive fixed tariff. Comparing based on your real usage pattern is essential.
Can I get cheap evening rates with gas as well?
Time-of-use pricing is usually focused on electricity. Gas tariffs are typically single-rate. You can still compare dual fuel options, but “evening rates” generally refer to electricity.
How long does switching take in the UK?
Switching timelines vary by supplier and circumstances, but many switches complete within a few working days. If a meter change is needed (for example, to support time-of-use billing), it can take longer.
Will I lose supply during the switch?
No — your energy supply stays on. Switching is an administrative process.
Still unsure? Jump back to Compare now and we’ll help you narrow down tariffs that fit your household’s schedule.
What customers value about EnergyPlus comparisons
When you’re comparing evening-rate tariffs, clarity matters. Here’s what households typically tell us they want most from a comparison service.
“The time bands were explained clearly.”
Understanding peak vs off-peak windows helped us avoid picking a tariff that looked cheap but didn’t match our routine.
Homeowner, UK
“We found a better fit for our evening usage.”
We run appliances after dinner, and the comparison highlighted options that suited our pattern instead of just showing headline rates.
Tenant, UK
“Quick process, no confusing jargon.”
The form was straightforward, and we understood what would happen next.
Family household, UK
Trust note: Tariffs and availability change. We aim to show suitable options based on the information you provide, including region and meter considerations.
Ready to compare cheap evening-rate energy tariffs?
Submit your details and we’ll help you find home energy options that fit your evening usage — including time-of-use and other suitable tariffs available in your area.
No supply interruption. You stay in control of your choices.
Before you submit
- If possible, check your latest bill for your current tariff name
- Note whether you have a smart meter or a day/night setup
- Think about when you could run flexible appliances
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