Energy tariffs with free Saturday electricity in the UK
See if a “free electricity on Saturday” style tariff could cut your bills. Compare whole-of-market UK home energy deals with EnergyPlus and get matched to the right tariff for your meter and usage.
- Whole-of-market comparison for UK homes (where available)
- Check compatibility for smart meters, Economy 7/10 and single-rate meters
- Understand peak vs off-peak rates and how “free hours” tariffs really work
- Quick form—no jargon, no obligation
Availability varies by supplier, region and meter type. We’ll help you check eligibility and compare total costs—not just “free” hours.
Check “free Saturday electricity” tariffs—whole-of-market matching
Some UK suppliers offer time-of-use tariffs that include free electricity during set hours on Saturdays (sometimes branded as “free weekend hours”). These deals can be excellent for the right household—but only if the rest of the week’s unit rates and standing charge don’t outweigh the benefit.
Use the form to tell us a little about your home. We’ll help match you to available tariffs based on your postcode, meter type and how you use energy (e.g., EV charging, laundry, batch cooking, heat pumps).
Important: “Free” usually applies to unit rates for electricity during set hours. Standing charges still apply, and usage outside the free window is charged at the tariff’s standard or peak rate.
What you’ll need (takes 2 minutes)
- Your postcode (for regional pricing and availability)
- An email and optional phone number for your results
- Rough idea of when you use electricity (weekend-heavy vs weekday-heavy)
Get matched to the right tariff
Fill in your details and we’ll compare available home energy tariffs, including time-of-use options where eligible.
Tip: If you do most energy-heavy tasks on Saturdays (washing, tumble drying, dishwasher, EV charging), tell us when we contact you so we can prioritise time-of-use options.
What is a tariff with free Saturday electricity?
A “free Saturday electricity” tariff is usually a time-of-use electricity tariff where the unit rate drops to £0.00 per kWh (or close to it) during a specific Saturday window (for example, certain daytime hours). Outside that window, the unit rate may be higher than a standard fixed or variable tariff.
In practice, these tariffs are designed for households that can shift demand into the free period—like doing multiple loads of laundry, running the dishwasher, or charging an electric vehicle on a Saturday.
Free window (the headline)
Electricity unit rate can be zero for set Saturday hours. The exact hours vary by supplier and product.
Higher rates elsewhere
Weekday or peak rates can be higher than standard tariffs. Always compare the full weekly cost.
Still pay standing charges
“Free” usually doesn’t remove the daily standing charge. You’ll still pay it on Saturdays.
Who benefits most from free Saturday electricity tariffs?
These tariffs can be great, but they’re not automatically cheaper. They tend to suit homes that can concentrate electricity use into the free period and keep weekday usage moderate.
Electric vehicle charging
If you can schedule a big charge on Saturday (or top-ups), “free hours” can deliver meaningful savings.
Weekend-heavy routines
Families who do laundry, tumble drying, batch cooking and cleaning at weekends may benefit.
Smart home scheduling
If you already use timers/smart plugs, shifting usage is easier and more consistent.
All-electric homes (sometimes)
If electricity is your main fuel, the deal can help—but only if weekday rates don’t erase savings.
Heat pumps + hot water planning
Some households can schedule hot water heating and other loads into the free window.
Homes that want predictable routines
It works best when you can reliably use power at the same times each Saturday.
How free Saturday electricity tariffs work (and what to check)
Most “free Saturday” deals are variations of time-of-use pricing. The key is understanding when energy is free, what happens outside those hours, and whether your meter setup supports accurate time-based billing.
- Confirm the free window: Check the exact hours on Saturdays, and whether it’s every Saturday year-round or subject to change.
- Compare the non-free unit rates: The weekday/peak unit rate can be higher than standard tariffs.
- Review standing charges: These are paid daily regardless of usage and can vary by region.
- Check meter requirements: Many time-of-use tariffs require a smart meter (or a compatible multi-rate meter).
- Estimate realistically: Savings depend on what you can actually shift into the free period—week after week.
Practical example: If you move two tumble-dryer cycles, dishwasher, washing machine, and EV top-up into the free hours every Saturday, you could reduce paid kWh significantly. If you can’t shift much usage, a standard fixed tariff may be cheaper overall.
Free Saturday tariff vs standard tariff: what to compare
| Feature | Free Saturday electricity tariff | Standard single-rate tariff |
|---|---|---|
| Unit rate | Zero/low during set Saturday hours; higher at other times | Same price per kWh all the time |
| Standing charge | Still applies daily | Still applies daily |
| Best for | Weekend-heavy usage; EV charging; scheduling flexibility | Steady usage across the week; want simplicity |
| Main risk | Paying more Monday–Friday and losing the benefit | Missing out if you could shift a lot of load to cheap/free times |
A quick savings checklist (before you switch)
A good comparison is about the total cost, not the headline. Use this checklist to judge whether a free Saturday electricity tariff is likely to work for your household.
1) Can you shift at least 15–30% of weekly usage?
If your Saturdays are already energy-heavy, you’re closer to a good fit. If Saturday use is low, savings may be limited.
2) What is the peak/weekday unit rate?
A higher weekday rate can wipe out the “free” benefit. Compare against a strong fixed tariff as your baseline.
3) Standing charge differences
A bigger standing charge matters most for low-usage homes. Always include it when comparing quotes.
4) Meter and billing compatibility
Time-of-use tariffs are commonly built around smart meter readings. If you’re unsure, we’ll help check.
Pro tip: Look at your usage by day/time if you have half-hourly readings available in your supplier app. It’s the simplest way to see how much energy you can move into Saturday’s free window.
Eligibility and regional considerations
Not every supplier offers free Saturday electricity tariffs, and availability can change. Pricing also differs by region because electricity networks have different distribution costs.
Smart meter
Many “free hours” deals require a smart meter so usage can be billed correctly by time.
Tariff rules
Some tariffs are electricity-only; others may be bundled with gas on a separate rate structure.
Your home profile
High weekday consumption can make “free Saturday” less valuable. We’ll compare likely total annual cost.
If you’re not sure what meter you have (single-rate, Economy 7/10, smart), don’t worry—submit your details in the comparison form and we’ll guide you through it.
Common mistakes when choosing “free Saturday” tariffs
Focusing on “free” and ignoring weekdays
A higher Monday–Friday unit rate can be the real cost. Always check the non-free unit rates and standing charge.
Overestimating what you’ll shift
Savings depend on habits. If Saturday becomes a normal day (out of the house, kids’ activities), the benefit may shrink.
Not checking meter compatibility
Time-of-use billing relies on correct readings. We’ll help confirm if your setup is suitable before you switch.
Comparing against the wrong baseline
Compare to a competitive fixed tariff and your current deal. The goal is lower total cost for your usage pattern.
FAQs: free Saturday electricity tariffs
Is Saturday electricity really free?
Usually, “free” means the electricity unit rate is £0.00 per kWh during a set Saturday window. You’ll still pay your daily standing charge, and any electricity used outside the free window is charged at the tariff’s standard/peak rate.
Do I need a smart meter?
Many time-of-use tariffs require a smart meter to measure usage by time accurately. Some multi-rate meters may also work depending on the supplier and tariff. If you’re unsure, submit the form above and we’ll help you check.
Can I get free Saturday electricity with both gas and electricity?
Often the “free Saturday” feature applies to electricity only. You can still have gas on the same supplier, but gas pricing won’t usually include free periods. We’ll compare the combined cost if you want dual fuel.
Will I save money if I do laundry and dishwasher on Saturday?
It depends on your weekday usage and the tariff’s non-free rates. If you can shift a meaningful amount of electricity into the free window, you may reduce paid kWh. But if your weekday unit rate is much higher, your overall bill could increase. That’s why we compare based on likely total cost.
Are these tariffs available across the whole UK?
Availability varies by supplier and may differ by region, network area, and meter type. We’ll check availability using your postcode and current setup.
How long does switching take?
Switching supplier typically takes a few working days. If you’re on a fixed deal, check whether you have exit fees. We can help you time your switch to avoid unnecessary charges.
Have a specific question about your home setup? Start with the comparison form and we’ll follow up with tailored options.
What EnergyPlus customers say
Real households want clarity—not gimmicks. Here’s what people value when comparing specialist tariffs like time-of-use and free-hour deals.
“They explained the tariff properly and helped me compare the total cost rather than just the free hours.”
— Homeowner, West Midlands
“I wasn’t sure if my meter would work for time-of-use. They checked and matched me to the right option.”
— Customer, Greater Manchester
“The process was quick. I liked that it focused on my usage pattern and not just headline prices.”
— Customer, Kent
Trust markers: Whole-of-market matching (where available), UK-focused support, and comparisons based on likely total cost for your household—not just headline features.
Ready to see if free Saturday electricity will actually save you money?
Submit the form and we’ll compare eligible home tariffs for your postcode, meter type and usage pattern—so you can choose with confidence.
EnergyPlus is a comparison service for UK homes. Tariff availability and prices change—results depend on your region, meter and supplier criteria.
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