How to get a cheaper Economy 10 tariff in the UK
If you use an Economy 10 meter for electric heating and hot water, the right tariff can make a real difference. Compare whole-of-market options with EnergyPlus to see if you could reduce your off-peak costs and avoid paying too much at peak times.
- Check whether Economy 10 still suits your home and heating setup
- Compare suppliers who still support Economy 10 (whole-of-market)
- Understand day/night rates, switching rules, and meter implications
- Get matched to tariffs based on your postcode and usage pattern
Home energy only. Comparing tariffs won’t affect your credit score. Availability of Economy 10 varies by region and meter type.
Compare Economy 10 tariffs (whole-of-market)
Economy 10 (E10) gives you 10 off-peak hours spread across the day and night (timings vary by region and meter). If you rely on storage heaters, immersion heating, or electric underfloor heating, a better Economy 10 tariff can reduce the cost of heat and hot water.
Use the form to compare options available for your postcode and see whether staying on E10, moving to Economy 7, or switching to a single-rate tariff could be cheaper based on how you use electricity.
Tip: If you can’t find an Economy 10 product with your current supplier, you may still be able to switch to another supplier that supports it. Availability depends on your meter configuration and local network.
If you’re unsure what you have, check your bill for two or three unit rates (day/peak and night/off-peak). That’s a strong clue you’re on a multi-rate tariff.
Already on Economy 10? Have your latest bill to hand. Your day/peak rate and off-peak rate(s) help us estimate whether a cheaper tariff exists for your usage pattern.
Quick answer: The cheapest Economy 10 tariff for you is usually the one with the best balance between off-peak unit rates, peak unit rates, and the standing charge—matched to when you actually use electricity.
When an Economy 10 tariff can be cheaper
You heat the home with electricity
Economy 10 often suits homes with storage heaters or electric boilers, where you can push more consumption into off-peak windows.
You can use power in the daytime off-peak slot
Unlike Economy 7, Economy 10 usually includes some off-peak hours during the day—useful for topping up heat or heating water.
Your peak usage is controlled
If your cooking, showers, tumble drying and EV charging mostly happen at peak, E10 may be less cost-effective than single-rate or E7.
A simple rule of thumb
Economy 10 tends to work best when a large share of your electricity goes into heat and hot water and can be moved into off-peak hours.
If you’re unsure
Compare both: we can help you check tariffs that support Economy 10 and alternatives (Economy 7 or single-rate) so you can choose on cost, not guesswork.
What is an Economy 10 tariff?
Economy 10 is a multi-rate electricity tariff designed mainly for homes that use electric heating. You typically get 10 cheaper off-peak hours per day, split into blocks (often overnight plus one or two daytime/evening periods). The remaining hours are charged at a higher peak/day rate.
Some meters show this as two rates (peak and off-peak), while others show three rates (for example, day / night / “heat”). Your exact timings and registers depend on your meter and local electricity network.
Why it’s harder to find than Economy 7
Economy 10 is less common across the UK and not every supplier supports every Economy 10 meter type. That’s why comparing whole-of-market matters—some providers only accept certain meter setups or may require a meter change.
Checklist: how to get a cheaper Economy 10 tariff
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1) Confirm you’re actually on Economy 10
Check your bill for multiple unit rates (e.g., “Day” and “Night”, or “Peak/Off-peak”, sometimes a third register). If you have a smart meter, your in-home display may show rate periods too.
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2) Review your heating and hot water setup
Economy 10 typically pays off when heating/hot water can be scheduled into off-peak hours (storage heaters, immersion, electric boiler controls). If your usage is mostly daytime peak, another tariff may be cheaper.
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3) Compare the full price, not just the off-peak rate
A low off-peak unit rate can be cancelled out by a high peak rate or standing charge. The cheapest Economy 10 tariff is the best fit for your split between peak and off-peak usage.
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4) Check your meter type and registers
Some suppliers will only accept certain Economy 10 configurations. If a switch requires a meter exchange, you’ll want to understand the implications before you apply.
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5) Consider alternatives (E7 or single-rate) if the numbers don’t work
If you don’t use enough off-peak power, Economy 10 can be more expensive overall. A comparison should include alternative tariff types to find your true cheapest option.
Next step: Use the comparison form to check what’s available for your postcode and meter setup.
Economy 10 rates, timings and what to look for
Economy 10 has multiple unit rates, and the off-peak times are set by your meter (often influenced by your region/network). Your supplier can confirm the time bands for your meter.
Typical price components
What “10 hours off-peak” can look like
Off-peak hours are often split across the day. For example, you might have an overnight block plus a daytime and/or evening block. Exact hours can differ by:
- Your distribution region
- Your meter type (including older multi-rate meters)
- Whether your heating circuit is separately controlled
Practical tip: If you have storage heaters, check the “charge” settings and timer controls so they primarily draw power in off-peak windows.
Meter and switching considerations (what to check first)
Economy 10 meters aren’t all the same
You may have a standard multi-rate meter, a meter with separate heating circuits, or an older setup with multiple registers. Switching can depend on whether the new supplier supports that configuration.
Smart meters and multi-rate tariffs
A smart meter can simplify reads and billing, but Economy 10 support can vary. If a switch involves a meter exchange, confirm how your heating and hot water will be billed afterwards.
Before you switch
- Take photos of your meter showing the registers (rate 1/rate 2/rate 3) and readings
- Check whether your bill shows two or three unit rates
- Ask the new supplier to confirm they can bill your exact Economy 10 setup
- If you have electric storage heating, ensure the off-peak supply still feeds the heating circuit correctly
Common mistakes that stop people getting a cheaper Economy 10 deal
Comparing only the off-peak rate
Economy 10 is a balancing act. A tariff can look cheap off-peak but still cost more overall if your peak rate/standing charge is high.
Not knowing your usage split
If you don’t know how much you use on-peak vs off-peak, it’s easy to pick the wrong tariff type. Bills often show usage per register.
Switching without checking meter compatibility
Some suppliers won’t support certain Economy 10 meters. Confirm support first to avoid delays, re-billing, or having to change tariff unexpectedly.
Economy 10 tariff FAQs
Is Economy 10 cheaper than Economy 7?
It depends on your off-peak timings and how you use electricity. Economy 10 gives more off-peak hours, but the peak rate may be higher. The cheapest option is the one that best matches your usage split.
Why can’t I find Economy 10 tariffs everywhere?
Economy 10 is less widely offered and can be restricted by meter type and region. A whole-of-market comparison is useful because availability can vary between suppliers.
Can I switch supplier with an Economy 10 meter?
Often yes, but not always without changes. Some suppliers support Economy 10 meters directly; others may ask to change your meter or move you to a different tariff type.
Will I lose my off-peak hours if I get a smart meter?
Not necessarily, but it must be set up to bill the correct registers and time bands. If a meter exchange is proposed, confirm in writing how you’ll be billed for peak/off-peak usage.
How do I know my Economy 10 times?
Your supplier can confirm the off-peak windows for your meter. You can also check your meter manual or look for patterns in when the registers change (avoid changing settings yourself).
Is Economy 10 available for gas?
No. Economy 10 is an electricity tariff structure. Homes with gas heating usually focus on standard single-rate electricity plus a separate gas tariff.
Why use EnergyPlus to compare Economy 10 tariffs?
Whole-of-market comparison
Economy 10 can be niche. Comparing across the market helps you find suppliers and tariffs that still support your setup.
Matched to your postcode
Prices and availability vary by region. We use your postcode to show options that apply where you live.
Clear next steps
We help you understand whether you should stay on Economy 10 or consider Economy 7 or single-rate—based on cost, not assumptions.
What other customers say
“I didn’t realise my peak rate was the issue. Comparing properly helped us pick a tariff that fits our heating schedule.”
“Economy 10 options are confusing. The checklist and postcode comparison made it much clearer what was actually available.”
“We weren’t sure if we should move to Economy 7. Seeing alternatives side by side helped us decide.”
Trust note: Always confirm meter compatibility and tariff details with the supplier during the switching process. Economy 10 availability and time bands can vary.
Ready to check for a cheaper Economy 10 tariff?
Compare home energy tariff options for your postcode and meter setup. If Economy 10 isn’t the best value, we’ll help you see practical alternatives.
Switching rules and Economy 10 support vary. We’ll guide you through what to check before you change supplier.
To get the best result, have:
- Your postcode
- Your latest electricity bill (rates + standing charge)
- Any details about storage heaters / immersion timer controls
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