Is a free weekend electricity tariff worth it in the UK?
It can be — if you can shift enough electricity use to Saturdays and Sundays. Compare whole-of-market options with EnergyPlus and get matched to tariffs that fit how your household actually uses energy.
- See if “free weekends” beats standard, fixed, or tracker tariffs for your usage
- Understand the trade-offs: higher weekday unit rates, standing charges, and thresholds
- Get a personalised comparison in minutes (home energy only)
EnergyPlus is a UK comparison service. We’ll use your details to show whole-of-market home energy options and help you switch if it suits you.
Compare free weekend electricity tariffs (whole-of-market)
A “free weekend electricity tariff” usually means zero unit rate for electricity during set weekend hours (often all day Saturday and Sunday, or specific blocks). The catch is that suppliers commonly offset that with higher weekday unit rates, a different standing charge, or conditions about how usage is measured.
The best way to decide is to compare your likely cost across:
- Free weekend (time-based pricing)
- Single-rate fixed or tracker
- Economy 7 / Economy 10 (off-peak nights)
- Other smart tariffs with peak/off-peak windows
Tip: If you already have a smart meter, your half-hourly usage can make the comparison much more accurate. If you don’t, you can still compare using typical patterns and your annual kWh.
Get personalised results
Fill in a few details and we’ll show UK home energy options available at your address, including weekend-based tariffs where eligible.
Important: “Free” usually applies to the unit rate (p/kWh) during a defined window. You may still pay a standing charge and higher rates at other times. Always compare the total annual cost for your household pattern.
How a free weekend electricity tariff works in the UK
In the UK, weekend electricity tariffs are a type of time-of-use plan. Instead of one unit price all week, your electricity is priced differently depending on when you use it. A typical “free weekend” structure looks like this:
Weekend window
Electricity unit rate is 0p/kWh (or heavily discounted) during set weekend hours. Some tariffs offer all-day Saturday/Sunday; others define exact times.
Weekday pricing
Weekdays often have a higher unit rate than a standard tariff. Some tariffs also vary rates by time of day (e.g., peak vs off-peak).
Standing charge
You’ll typically still pay a daily standing charge. It can be higher or lower than your current tariff depending on supplier and region.
Smart meter & readings
Most weekend tariffs rely on a smart meter to measure usage by time. Without one, you may not be eligible or the tariff may not work as intended.
Your goal is simple: shift flexible electricity use to the free period (washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, batch cooking, charging, and some heating if electric). If your usage is mostly weekdays, the higher weekday unit rates can wipe out the benefit.
When a free weekend electricity tariff is worth it
A weekend tariff can be good value if your household can reliably concentrate a meaningful share of electricity use into the weekend window. The “break-even” point depends on your exact rates, but the patterns below are a strong indicator.
You can shift usage
Laundry, dishwashing, dehumidifier use, batch cooking, and charging can be scheduled for weekends without disrupting your routine.
Home is busier on weekends
If you’re out at work weekdays but home on weekends, a free weekend window can match when you naturally use more electricity.
You have high electric loads
Households with higher kWh usage (larger families, electric cooking, multiple appliances) have more room to save if weekends are truly free.
You can avoid weekday peaks
Some weekend tariffs also have expensive weekday peak hours. If you can minimise peak usage (e.g., delay appliances), value improves.
You want predictability
Knowing that weekend electricity is free can make it easier to plan energy-heavy tasks and reduce bill anxiety (while watching weekday costs).
You’re comparing properly
It’s worth it when you compare total annual cost (unit rates + standing charge) against realistic usage patterns, not marketing claims.
Quick rule of thumb: If you can move a chunk of flexible usage to weekends and avoid heavy weekday peak use, a weekend tariff is more likely to win. If your usage is steady across the week, it often won’t.
Mini calculator: what needs to shift to weekends?
You don’t need perfect data to sanity-check a free weekend electricity tariff. Use this as a quick guide before you compare. (For exact figures, use the postcode comparison form.)
Step 1: Estimate weekend kWh you can move
- Washing machine cycle: often ~0.5–1.0 kWh
- Tumble dryer: often ~2–4 kWh per load (varies a lot)
- Dishwasher: often ~1–1.5 kWh per cycle
- Oven batch cooking: often ~1–3 kWh
- Home EV charging: can be large (if applicable)
Step 2: Compare the “rate gap”
A weekend tariff can cost more on weekdays. The bigger the weekday premium, the more weekend usage you need to shift.
Simple check: Savings ˜ (weekend kWh shifted × your normal unit rate) - (weekday kWh × extra weekday premium).
If you want one question to answer
Ask: “What % of my weekly electricity can realistically happen in the weekend window?” If the answer is “not much”, a free weekend tariff is less likely to be worth it. If you can reliably move a good share, it can be a strong option—especially if your current unit rate is high.
What to check before switching (rates, windows, and charges)
Not all “free weekend electricity” tariffs are the same. Use the checklist below to avoid nasty surprises.
| Check | Why it matters | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend hours | Some are all weekend; others are limited windows. | Exact start/end times, and whether Fridays/Sundays evenings are included. |
| Weekday unit rate | A higher weekday rate can erase savings. | Compare against your current p/kWh for weekdays and any peak hours. |
| Standing charge | Paid every day regardless of usage. | Higher standing charge can make low-usage homes worse off. |
| Tariff type | Fixed, variable, and tracker behave differently. | Confirm price protection, review dates, and how changes are communicated. |
| Exit fees | If you leave early, fees can reduce gains. | Check per-fuel fees and contract end dates. |
| Meter requirements | Time-of-use needs time-based measurement. | Smart meter requirement, and what happens if readings fail. |
Regional note: Electricity standing charges and unit rates can vary by distribution region across Great Britain. That’s why postcode-based comparisons are essential.
Eligibility: do you need a smart meter for free weekend electricity?
In most cases, yes. Free weekend tariffs are usually built on time-of-use pricing, which relies on accurate time-stamped readings.
Typically eligible if you have:
- A working smart meter sending regular readings
- Credit meter or eligible prepayment setup (depends on tariff)
- Standard domestic supply (home energy)
Potential blockers:
- Older meters that can’t support time-of-use billing
- Smart meter communication issues (in-home display not required, but readings matter)
- Some complex meter setups (e.g., certain legacy multi-rate arrangements)
What if you don’t have a smart meter?
You can still compare tariffs. If a free weekend plan requires a smart meter, we’ll highlight that and show alternatives (including standard fixed tariffs, tracker tariffs, or other off-peak options if suitable).
Common mistakes with free weekend electricity tariffs (and how to avoid them)
-
Assuming “free” means the whole bill is cheaper.
Always compare the total annual cost including standing charge and weekday rates. -
Not checking the exact weekend window.
If your big usage happens Friday night or Sunday evening, confirm it actually falls inside the free period. -
Forgetting weekday peak times.
Some tariffs have expensive weekday peak hours. Shifting one appliance to weekends won’t help if weekday peaks stay high. -
Overestimating how much you’ll shift.
Be realistic: if your routine is fixed, build your comparison around current behaviour—not best intentions. -
Ignoring exit fees and contract terms.
If you plan to review soon, a flexible tariff may suit better than a long fix with fees.
Best practice: If you have a recent bill, note your annual kWh (electricity) and whether you’re at home more on weekends or weekdays. That alone makes comparisons much more accurate.
FAQs: free weekend electricity tariffs in the UK
Is weekend electricity really free?
Typically, “free” means a 0p/kWh unit rate during specified weekend hours. You’ll usually still pay a standing charge, and your weekday unit rate may be higher.
Do free weekend tariffs work with gas too?
Most “free weekend” offers are focused on electricity. You can still compare dual fuel, but the weekend element may apply only to electricity. EnergyPlus comparisons will show the full breakdown.
Is it better than Economy 7?
It depends on when you use power. Economy 7 is about overnight off-peak. A weekend tariff rewards weekend daytime use. If your flexible usage is mostly at night, Economy 7 may suit better; if you’re active at weekends, free weekends can work well.
Will I need to change how I use electricity?
To get value, yes—usually by moving discretionary usage (laundry, dishwasher, batch cooking) into the free window. If you can’t shift much, you may pay more due to higher weekday rates.
Can I switch back if it’s not working?
Often yes, but check exit fees and contract terms. If flexibility matters, consider a tariff without exit fees or with a shorter commitment.
Does my region affect whether it’s worth it?
Yes. Standing charges and unit rates can vary by region. That’s why a postcode-based comparison is the safest way to judge value.
What households like about comparing with EnergyPlus
Switching is a financial decision. Here are common themes we hear from customers using comparison services to check time-of-use options.
“The weekend tariff finally made sense.”
Seeing costs side-by-side helped us understand the weekday premium and whether our routine could actually benefit.
— Homeowner, Great Britain
“Clear breakdown of standing charge and rates.”
It was easy to spot which tariffs had low unit rates but higher standing charges.
— Renter, UK
“Matched to what we actually do at home.”
We needed something that worked for weekends and didn’t penalise weekday evenings too much.
— Family household, UK
Trust markers to look for: clear tariff terms, transparent standing charge/unit rates, and a total annual cost estimate based on realistic kWh usage.
Ready to see if free weekend electricity will save you money?
Get a personalised whole-of-market comparison for your home. We’ll show eligible weekend tariffs alongside standard options so you can choose what genuinely fits your usage.
- Postcode-based pricing (rates vary by region)
- Compare fixed, tracker and time-of-use options
- Designed for UK households (not business energy)
Switching is subject to eligibility and tariff availability. Always check the tariff information before you proceed.
Back to Guides & FAQs