Is a ‘free electricity weekend’ tariff worth it in the UK?
These tariffs can look like a no-brainer — but the weekday unit rate (and standing charge) often rises to pay for the “free” hours. Use this guide to check if it fits your household, then compare whole-of-market options with EnergyPlus.
- Find out whether you’ll actually save based on when you use power
- Compare weekend-free deals against standard and smart tariffs
- Switch with confidence: home energy only, whole-of-market comparison
Estimates are guidance only. Always check the tariff’s exact free hours, weekday rates and standing charge before switching.
Compare weekend-free tariffs vs standard rates (whole-of-market)
A “free electricity weekend” tariff can be worth it if you can shift a meaningful share of your electricity use into the free window — without increasing weekday usage. The catch is that suppliers typically recover the cost through higher weekday unit rates and/or a higher standing charge.
EnergyPlus.co.uk compares home energy tariffs across the market to help you see whether a weekend-free offer is genuinely better than:
- Standard single-rate fixed or variable tariffs
- Time-of-use tariffs (including smart tariffs where available)
- Economy 7 / day-night style tariffs for suitable meters
Tip: Before you switch, check the supplier’s definition of “weekend”, the exact free hours (e.g., all weekend vs limited blocks), whether it applies year-round, and whether it requires a smart meter.
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So… is a free electricity weekend tariff worth it?
For most UK households, it’s worth considering only if you can reliably move high-consumption activities into the free period. The biggest wins usually come from appliances that draw a lot of power over time — rather than small devices.
You’re essentially making a trade:
- Pros: A chunk of weekend electricity costs £0 (during specified hours), which can reduce bills if you shift usage.
- Cons: Weekday unit rates may be higher, and standing charges may be higher, so you can pay more if your usage pattern doesn’t match.
Rule of thumb: The more electricity you can move into the free window (without adding extra consumption), the more likely it is to be worth it.
Who benefits most from weekend-free electricity?
Families with heavy weekend laundry/dishwasher use
If you batch washing, tumble drying and dishwashing on Saturdays/Sundays, free hours can cover a lot of kWh — as long as you avoid shifting that cost back into pricier weekdays.
Households home at weekends, out midweek
If the home is empty on weekdays (low usage) but busy at weekends (higher usage), the higher weekday unit rate matters less and the free window matters more.
Smart meter households who can track patterns
You’ll find it easier to confirm savings if you can see half-hourly usage. Many weekend-free tariffs are designed for smart-meter customers.
EV owners who charge at home (weekends)
If your weekend charging falls inside the free window, savings can be significant. If you mostly charge on weekdays, compare against EV-focused time-of-use tariffs too.
People who can automate usage
Timers, smart plugs and delayed-start appliances help you consistently run energy-hungry devices during the free period — crucial for making the maths work.
Not ideal for: high weekday day-time use
If you work from home and run heating pumps, cooking and laundry through the week, a higher weekday unit rate can cancel out the “free weekend” benefit.
How ‘free electricity weekend’ tariffs work in the UK
Although each supplier’s plan differs, most weekend-free tariffs follow a similar structure:
- Set free hours: Electricity is priced at £0 per kWh for a defined period at weekends (sometimes all weekend, sometimes specific blocks).
- Higher paid rates: Outside the free window, the unit rate is often higher than a comparable fixed tariff. Standing charges can also be higher.
- Smart meter rules: Many require a smart meter for half-hourly settlement so the supplier can identify usage during the free hours.
- Terms & review points: Free-hour definitions and prices can vary at renewal; fixed-term vs variable matters.
Important: “Free” typically means the unit rate is £0 during the window, but your bill may still include a standing charge every day. Always compare the total cost, not just the headline.
Break-even: how to tell if you’ll save
To decide if a weekend-free tariff is worth it, you need to compare what you’d pay on a normal tariff versus the higher weekday costs + standing charge on the weekend-free plan.
| What to check | Why it matters | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Free window hours | If the free period is short or awkward, you may not shift enough usage. | List which appliances you can run inside the window (laundry, dishwasher, EV, immersion heater etc.). |
| Weekday unit rate | Higher weekday rates can outweigh “free” weekends quickly if you use lots of electricity Mon–Fri. | Estimate your weekday kWh share (smart meter app or past bills). |
| Standing charge | A higher standing charge increases cost even if you use little electricity. | Compare daily standing charges across shortlisted tariffs. |
| Your ability to shift load | Savings rely on behaviour change (or automation) that actually happens. | Use timers/delayed start; plan weekend “power tasks”. |
| Exit fees & term length | If it doesn’t work for you, fees can lock you in. | Check fixed-term length, exit fees, and renewal pricing. |
Quick sanity check: If you can’t confidently shift at least some high-energy activities to the free period, you’ll usually do better on a competitive fixed tariff with a lower unit rate and standing charge.
Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
1) Paying more Monday–Friday
If the weekday unit rate jumps, everyday usage (cooking, home working, heating controls, showers with electric immersion) can erase weekend gains.
Fix: Compare total annual cost using your actual usage split, not just the headline “free” offer.
2) Standing charge shock
A higher daily standing charge can penalise low-usage homes, flats, or people away frequently.
Fix: Always look at standing charge + paid unit rates together.
3) “Free hours” don’t match your routine
If free hours are overnight or limited blocks, you might not be comfortable running appliances then.
Fix: Check exact timings and safety guidance for appliance use; prioritise suitable loads like EV charging where relevant.
4) Not confirming smart meter requirements
Some tariffs require half-hourly readings; without the right meter setup, the tariff may not be available or may not apply as expected.
Fix: Verify eligibility before switching (meter type, readings, and any opt-ins).
Free electricity weekend tariffs: UK FAQs
Is weekend electricity really free?
During the stated free window, the unit rate can be £0 per kWh. However, you’ll usually still pay a daily standing charge, and you may pay higher unit rates outside the free period. The “free” element is best treated as a discount that’s funded elsewhere in the tariff.
Do I need a smart meter?
Often, yes. Many weekend-free and time-of-use tariffs rely on smart meter readings (sometimes half-hourly) to identify usage during the free hours. Availability and requirements vary by supplier and tariff.
Will a weekend-free tariff help if I have gas for heating?
Potentially. If your electricity use is mainly appliances and hot water (and you can shift those to the weekend), it can work well. But if your weekday electricity is still high (e.g., home working, cooking, electric showers), the higher weekday rate may reduce savings.
Are these tariffs good for EV charging?
They can be, if you can charge largely within the free window. If you mostly charge midweek, compare against EV-focused tariffs that offer cheap overnight rates across multiple days, not just weekends.
Could I end up using more electricity because it’s “free”?
Yes — and that’s a common trap. If you increase usage overall, you may wipe out savings, especially if weekday rates are higher. The goal is to shift usage, not add extra.
How do I compare properly?
Compare the total estimated cost using your annual kWh usage (and, ideally, your weekday vs weekend split). Check the standing charge, paid unit rates, free-hour definition, contract length and exit fees. If you’re unsure, use the EnergyPlus comparison form to review suitable home tariffs.
What UK households tell us (social proof)
“We thought ‘free weekends’ would automatically save money. The comparison showed a cheaper fixed deal for our weekday-heavy usage.”
Homeowner, Greater Manchester
“Our weekends are laundry central. Moving the dishwasher and washing machine runs made the weekend-free plan stack up.”
Family household, Kent
“The guide made us check standing charge and paid rates — that’s where the real difference was.”
Flat resident, Edinburgh
Trust factors that matter: whole-of-market comparison, clear tariff terms, and looking at total cost (unit rate + standing charge), not just the headline perk.
Ready to see if a weekend-free tariff will actually save you money?
Use our quick form to compare home energy tariffs across the market. We’ll help you weigh “free weekend” deals against strong fixed and smart options based on your postcode and household details.
Home energy only. Availability of weekend-free tariffs varies by supplier, meter type and region.
Before you switch, double-check:
- Exact free hours and whether they’re every weekend
- Weekday unit rate and daily standing charge
- Smart meter requirement and any eligibility rules
- Contract length, exit fees and renewal pricing
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