What is a tariff with free weekday electricity in the UK?

A free weekday electricity tariff (sometimes called a free-hours or free-time tariff) gives you electricity at a 0p unit rate during a set time window on weekdays. Outside the free period, electricity is charged at the tariff’s standard unit rate (and you’ll still usually pay a daily standing charge). The best value comes from shifting flexible usage—like laundry, dishwashing or EV charging—into the free weekday hours.

Is electricity really free, and do I still pay a standing charge?

The unit rate for electricity during the specified weekday free period can be 0p, but most tariffs still include a daily standing charge. You’ll also pay for any electricity you use outside the free window at the normal unit rate. Always check the tariff’s full pricing and any additional terms before switching.

How do free weekday electricity tariffs work with smart meters?

These tariffs typically require a smart meter because your supplier needs half-hourly readings to apply the free period correctly. The smart meter records when you use electricity, and your bill should show usage split by the free hours and the paid hours.

Who benefits most from a tariff with free weekday electricity?

Households that can move a meaningful share of electricity use into the weekday free hours often benefit the most—particularly EV owners, people who run appliances during the day, or anyone able to schedule washing, drying and dishwashing. If most of your usage is evenings/weekends or you can’t shift demand, a standard tariff may work out cheaper.

Can I charge an EV during the free weekday electricity period?

In many cases yes—EV charging is one of the biggest potential savings if the free hours align with when your vehicle is at home. To maximise savings, schedule charging to start and stop within the free window and confirm your charger/app supports timed charging.

What are the downsides or risks of free weekday electricity tariffs?

Common trade-offs include higher unit rates outside the free hours, a standing charge, and the need to actively shift usage to benefit. If you can’t use much electricity in the free period, your overall costs may increase versus a simpler fixed or variable tariff. It’s also important to check exit fees, contract length and whether prices can change.

How can I maximise savings on a free weekday electricity tariff?

To improve value, move flexible loads into the free window (washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, immersion heater where safe, and EV charging). Use timers or smart plugs, avoid high-use activities outside the free period, and track your half-hourly usage through your supplier app or in-home display to see whether the tariff is actually lowering your bills.

Are these tariffs suitable for homes with solar panels or batteries?

They can be, but it depends on when you generate and consume power. If your free period overlaps with times you already cover usage with solar, the benefit may be smaller. With a home battery, you may be able to charge during the free hours (where permitted) and use stored energy later—always check your supplier’s terms and ensure your setup supports the required metering and schedules.

How do I compare a free weekday electricity tariff with other tariffs?

Compare the standing charge, the paid unit rate outside the free hours, the exact free-hour window, and any contract/exit fees. The most accurate way is to estimate how much of your electricity you can shift into the free period and model your annual cost. If you want help, you can review options and switching details at https://www.energyplus.co.uk/.

How do I switch energy tariffs through Energy Plus?

You can explore energy tariff options and start your switch online. Have your postcode, current supplier and a recent bill (or usage estimate) ready so you can compare pricing accurately. Visit https://www.energyplus.co.uk/ to check available deals and begin the switching process.

Energy tariffs with free weekday electricity in the UK

Compare whole-of-market UK tariffs that offer free electricity on weekdays (for example, off-peak windows or “free hours”) and check if you could lower your bill based on when you use power.

See which suppliers and tariff types currently offer weekday free/low-cost electricity periods
Understand the catch: peak rates, standing charges, and usage rules
Find out if it works for EV charging, heat pumps, washing, and dishwashing
Get a tailored comparison based on your postcode and household usage

Compare free weekday electricity tariffs How these tariffs work

EnergyPlus is a home-energy comparison service. Availability and terms vary by supplier, region, meter type, and eligibility. Always check the tariff details before switching.

Check if a free weekday electricity tariff could cut your bill

“Free weekday electricity” tariffs (sometimes described as free hours, off-peak free periods, or weekday free electricity windows) can be great value for the right home. The key is whether you can reliably shift usage into the free/cheaper time block without paying more the rest of the day.

EnergyPlus compares whole-of-market home energy deals where available, including tariffs that include weekday free electricity periods. We’ll help you identify the real cost by looking at unit rates, standing charges, and your usage pattern.

Tip: These tariffs tend to suit homes with flexible demand—EV charging, heat pumps, immersion heaters, tumble dryers, and batch laundry—more than homes with steady all-day usage.

Get your weekday-free tariff comparison

Fill in the form and we’ll match you with suitable tariffs (including weekday free electricity deals when available for your meter and area).

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Important: Not every “free electricity” offer is truly free in practice. Some tariffs have higher peak unit rates or higher standing charges. We help you compare on annual cost, not headlines.

Why people choose weekday free electricity tariffs

These deals can be useful when you can move the right appliances into the free/cheaper window. They’re not automatically the cheapest for every household, so it helps to know what you’re optimising for.

Lower-cost EV charging on weekdays

If you can charge at home during the tariff’s weekday free period, you may reduce the effective p/kWh for charging—especially if your car is plugged in most weekday evenings/nights.

Cheaper laundry & dishwashing

Batch your energy-heavy chores (washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher) into the window. Smart plugs or appliance timers can help you stick to the schedule.

Better value if you can shift demand

These tariffs reward flexibility. If your home already uses more electricity at specific times (or can be adjusted), you may get more benefit than with a flat unit rate.

Can pair well with solar + battery

Some households use the free/cheap window to top up a home battery (where allowed by the tariff) and run the home later—always check export rules and fair-use terms.

Potential bill predictability

If most of your high-load usage is within the free window, you may find your bills become more stable month to month, despite peak rate changes.

A nudge towards smarter energy use

Many of these tariffs rely on half-hourly readings, encouraging you to understand when you use energy and to reduce peak-time consumption.

Want to see if it’s worth it for your home? Use the comparison form and we’ll help you identify deals available in your area.

How “free weekday electricity” tariffs work in the UK

In the UK, tariffs that advertise weekday free electricity typically provide a defined time window on certain weekdays where the electricity unit rate is 0p or heavily discounted. Outside that window, the unit rate may be higher than standard. The goal is to shift demand to specific times.

1) The tariff defines a weekday time window

For example, a supplier might offer free electricity for a few hours on specific weekdays. Exact times and days vary and can change by product, so always confirm the published tariff details.

2) Your meter must be compatible

Many weekday-free offers rely on half-hourly readings, which usually means a compatible smart meter. Some tariffs may work on certain multi-rate meters too, but it depends on supplier rules.

3) You pay for usage outside the window

Peak unit rates and standing charges still apply. Some tariffs balance the “free” period with higher rates at other times, so you’ll want a comparison based on your actual usage pattern.

4) Results depend on when you use power

The biggest savings usually come from moving high-load activities—like EV charging, tumble drying, or heating water—into the free hours. If most of your usage stays at peak times, the tariff may cost more overall.

What to check before switching

Exact weekday free window: days, times, and whether bank holidays are included/excluded
Peak unit rate: compare against your current tariff’s p/kWh
Standing charge: a higher standing charge can reduce the benefit for low users
Fair-use limits: some suppliers have terms to prevent misuse
Exit fees & contract length: fixed tariffs may include an exit fee
Meter requirements: smart meter status and half-hourly consent (where needed)

Costs, savings and the “headline trap”

It’s tempting to focus on the word “free”, but the right way to judge these tariffs is by estimating your annual cost based on how much electricity you can move into the free weekday window.

A simple way to sanity-check value

Estimate how many kWh you can shift into the weekday free window (EV charging is often the biggest lever).
Compare the peak p/kWh and standing charge vs your current tariff.
Check whether the higher peak rate could outweigh the free hours if your usage remains mostly outside the window.

Why the cheapest deal depends on you

High users: may benefit more if they can shift meaningful kWh into the free period.
Low users: may find standing charges matter more than unit rates.
Daytime households: could pay more if peak rates apply during most of their usage.
All-electric homes: should check heating/hot water patterns carefully.

Best practice: Compare on total projected cost, not just a promotional “free hours” headline. If you’re unsure how much you can shift, start with a cautious estimate.

Eligibility: who can get weekday free electricity tariffs?

Availability varies by supplier and product. In general, weekday free electricity tariffs may be limited by meter type, region, and tariff rules.

Typical requirements

Domestic supply (home energy, not business)
Smart meter compatibility (often required for time-based offers)
Half-hourly readings may be needed (supplier-specific consent)
Credit checks for some pay monthly/direct debit plans

You might need extra checks if you have…

Economy 7 / multi-rate meters (rate mapping differs by supplier)
Prepayment meters (not all products support prepay)
Complex metering (e.g., related to certain heating setups)
Solar export agreements (ensure the tariff terms suit your setup)

Not sure what you have? Start the comparison and we’ll guide you. Check availability by postcode.

What “free weekday electricity” can mean (and what it doesn’t)

Suppliers use different labels. This quick table helps you translate marketing into what to look for in the tariff information.

Phrase you’ll see	What it usually means	What to check
Free weekday electricity	A set time window on weekdays with 0p electricity unit rate (or near-0p).	Exact hours/days, peak unit rate, standing charge, exclusions (e.g., bank holidays).
Free hours / power hours	A promotional block of free usage that may apply weekly.	Whether it’s for new customers only, and if the offer period ends after a set time.
Off-peak deal	Lower rate at certain times (not necessarily free).	How many rates apply, off-peak timing, and whether weekends differ from weekdays.
Time-of-use (TOU) tariff	Different unit rates across the day; may include a free/cheap period.	How rates change, whether prices can vary, and meter/reading requirements.

Good to know: “Free” usually refers to the electricity unit rate during the window. You’ll typically still pay the standing charge and any usage outside the window at the relevant rate.

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming “free” automatically means cheaper

If the peak rate is materially higher, a home that can’t shift enough usage may end up paying more overall. Always compare the estimated annual cost.

Not checking when you actually use electricity

If you work from home, cook with electricity, or have electric heating, your daytime/early evening usage may remain high. Your usage shape matters more than your total kWh alone.

Forgetting standing charges

A higher daily standing charge can reduce savings, particularly for smaller flats or lower-use households.

Missing eligibility and meter requirements

Some weekday-free offers require a working smart meter and specific settings for half-hourly readings. If your meter isn’t communicating, the tariff may not apply as expected.

If you want a quick check based on your area and household, start here: compare weekday free electricity tariffs.

FAQs: free weekday electricity tariffs

Are there energy tariffs with free electricity during the week in the UK?

Yes, some suppliers offer domestic time-of-use products that include weekday windows where the electricity unit rate is 0p (or heavily discounted). Availability depends on your postcode, meter type, and supplier rules. Use the comparison form to check what’s available for your home.

Do I need a smart meter for weekday free electricity?

Often, yes. Many weekday-free offers rely on half-hourly readings to apply the correct rate to the correct time window. If you don’t have a smart meter (or it isn’t sending readings), your options may be more limited.

Is the electricity really free?

Typically “free” refers to the unit rate during a defined weekday period. You usually still pay a standing charge, and you’ll pay for electricity used outside the free window. Some suppliers also include fair-use or eligibility terms.

Will a weekday free electricity tariff save me money with an EV?

It can, particularly if you can schedule most of your charging into the free window and your household usage outside the window isn’t too high. However, some weekday-free tariffs have higher peak unit rates, so it’s important to compare based on your full household pattern.

Can I use free weekday electricity for heating or hot water?

Possibly. Homes with immersion heaters, heat pumps, or electric-only hot water may be able to move some demand into the free/cheap window (for example, heating water at set times). Check your system controls and make sure the tariff’s time window aligns with your comfort needs.

How long does switching take?

Switching timelines vary by supplier and circumstances, but many standard domestic switches complete in a few working days. Your supply won’t be interrupted. If you have special metering or there’s an issue with details, it can take longer.

Still unsure? Jump back to how these tariffs work or compare deals now.

Trust & reassurance

Whole-of-market approach

We aim to compare widely available domestic tariffs, including time-of-use deals with weekday free periods where offered in your region.

Clear comparisons

We focus on what matters: unit rates, standing charges, contract terms, and whether the “free” period is likely to benefit your usage pattern.

Designed for UK households

Guidance tailored to UK meter types, regional pricing differences, and real-life household routines—so you can choose a tariff you’ll actually use.

“The comparison made it clear that the ‘free hours’ deal only worked for us once we scheduled the dishwasher and EV charging. The breakdown of peak costs was the difference.”

UK homeowner, tariff comparison enquiry

“Helpful to see the standing charge impact. We didn’t switch to the free weekday tariff in the end, but we did find a better fixed deal.”

UK household, guidance request

Ready to see if free weekday electricity works for your home?

Compare domestic energy tariffs across the market and identify weekday free electricity offers (where available). Get a tailored result using your postcode and contact details.

Whole-of-market comparison approach
Focus on true annual cost (not just “free hours” headlines)
Quick form—no need to search supplier sites one by one

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Updated on 10 Jan 2026