Switch to an off-peak electricity tariff: UK savings guide
Learn when Economy 7, Economy 10 and smart off-peak tariffs can cut your electricity costs (and when they won’t). Includes checks, examples and a switching form.
- See if you’re likely to save based on your meter and usage pattern
- Understand off-peak hours, rates, and common UK pitfalls
- Compare options and switch with a whole-of-market quote
Estimates only. Prices and off-peak hours vary by supplier, meter type and region. Always check your tariff details before switching.
Fast answer: can an off-peak tariff save you money in the UK?
It can — but only if you can shift a meaningful share of your electricity use into the cheap hours. For most UK households, off-peak tariffs tend to make sense if around 30–40%+ of your electricity can run overnight (or during the tariff’s off-peak windows), such as EV charging, storage heaters, a hot water immersion, or a heat pump with smart scheduling.
Important: off-peak tariffs usually have a higher daytime unit rate (and sometimes a slightly different standing charge). If you can’t shift usage, your bill can go up.
You’re more likely to save if you:
- Have storage heaters (or plan to use them properly)
- Charge an electric vehicle overnight
- Can run appliances (washer/dishwasher) off-peak safely
- Have a smart meter (opens up more time-of-use tariffs)
You’re less likely to save if you:
- Use most electricity in the evening (cooking, heating, entertainment)
- Don’t have storage heating/EV/shiftable demand
- Can’t reliably use the off-peak windows
- Have a complex meter setup and aren’t sure what you’re on
If you’re not sure, the safest approach is to compare your current costs against an off-peak quote using your actual usage split (day vs night). We’ll show you how below.
How off-peak electricity tariffs work (UK)
An off-peak (time-of-use) electricity tariff charges different unit rates at different times. The key idea: the grid is typically less busy overnight, so suppliers may offer cheaper electricity for a set window.
Economy 7 (E7)
Typically 7 hours of cheaper electricity overnight, with a higher daytime rate.
Economy 10 (E10)
Typically 10 hours split across day/night (more niche; availability varies).
Smart time-of-use
Off-peak windows can be more flexible (often aimed at EV/heat pumps). Requires a smart meter.
Off-peak hours: why they’re not the same for everyone
Your exact off-peak times can depend on your region, supplier, and meter configuration. Economy 7 is often around midnight to 7am, but it can start earlier/later and may shift with British Summer Time (BST) depending on the meter type.
Do this before you switch: confirm your off-peak times on your bill/online account, or ask your current supplier. If you use a timer (immersion heater / EV charger), check it matches the tariff times.
Do you need a special meter?
- Economy 7 / Economy 10
- Usually needs a dual-rate meter that records day and night separately (or an equivalent smart meter setup).
- Smart time-of-use tariffs
- Normally requires a smart meter sending half-hourly readings and your consent for data sharing for billing.
Get an off-peak quote (whole of market)
Tell us a few details and we’ll match you to suitable off-peak options. If off-peak doesn’t look right for you, we’ll show standard tariffs too.
Tip: If you can, have a recent bill handy. For off-peak comparisons, the most useful detail is your day vs night kWh split (or half-hourly usage for smart tariffs).
What to check before switching (2-minute pre-flight)
1) Your meter type
Look for two electricity unit rates on your bill (day/night) or ask your supplier if you’re on a dual-rate setup.
2) Your off-peak hours
Confirm the exact times (and whether they change with BST). Adjust timers if needed.
3) Your shiftable usage
Estimate what % of your electricity you can realistically move to off-peak.
4) Your current tariff terms
Check for exit fees, fixed end date, and any bundle perks you’d lose.
Off-peak tariff comparison: what to look at (not just the headline rate)
Different suppliers structure off-peak deals differently. Use the table below to compare like-for-like, then run the checklist underneath before you commit.
| Tariff type | Meter needed | Typical off-peak window | Best for | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy 7 | Dual-rate (or compatible smart) | 7 hours overnight (varies by region/meter) | Storage heaters, immersion heating, EV charging | Higher day rate; timers can drift vs BST |
| Economy 10 | Dual-rate / multi-rate setup | 10 hours split (often 3 blocks) | All-electric homes needing more flexibility | Harder to find; switching can be more complex |
| Smart off-peak / EV tariff | Smart meter with half-hourly reads | Supplier-defined (may be multiple cheap periods) | EVs, heat pumps, smart home scheduling | Need data sharing consent; price can vary by time bands |
| Standard single-rate | Any electricity meter | Same rate all day | Most households with evening-heavy use | No off-peak discounts if you could shift usage |
Decision checklist (quick and practical)
- Can you shift 30–40%+ of usage to off-peak (realistically, every week)?
- Do you know your off-peak hours and can your appliances/charger match them?
- Are you willing to accept a higher daytime unit rate?
- Is your home all-electric or do you use gas for heating/hot water?
- Are there exit fees or other contract terms on your current tariff?
- If you rent: are you allowed to change supplier, and do you control the bills?
Two realistic scenarios (with estimated numbers)
These are illustrative examples to help you sanity-check your own situation. Your rates vary by supplier, region, payment method and meter.
Scenario A: EV driver who charges mostly overnight
Assumptions: 3,600 kWh/year total. 45% off-peak. Single-rate 24p/kWh. Economy 7: 14p off-peak, 29p peak. Standing charge ignored for simplicity (compare full quotes for accuracy).
Single-rate cost: 3,600 × 24p = £864/year.
E7 cost: (1,620 × 14p) + (1,980 × 29p) = £226.80 + £574.20 = £801/year.
Estimated difference: about £63/year cheaper on E7 (before standing charge differences).
Scenario B: Typical evening-heavy home (little shiftable use)
Assumptions: 3,100 kWh/year total. 15% off-peak. Same unit rates as above.
Single-rate cost: 3,100 × 24p = £744/year.
E7 cost: (465 × 14p) + (2,635 × 29p) = £65.10 + £764.15 = £829/year.
Estimated difference: about £85/year more expensive on E7 (before standing charge differences).
Why standing charges matter: even a small standing charge difference can outweigh unit-rate savings. Always compare the full tariff (unit rates + standing charge + any fees).
Costs, exclusions and common pitfalls (UK)
Off-peak tariffs aren’t “set and forget” for everyone. These are the issues we see most often when people switch to Economy 7/10 or smart off-peak deals.
1) Off-peak hours don’t match your routine
If your cheap window is late (or shifts with BST), you might accidentally run the dishwasher/washer at the expensive rate. Check your meter times and timers at least twice a year.
2) Day rate increases wipe out savings
Some off-peak tariffs pair a very low night rate with a noticeably higher day rate. If you can’t consistently shift usage, your total bill can rise even though the night rate looks attractive.
3) Metering quirks (especially legacy setups)
Some properties have complex wiring (e.g., separate circuits for storage heaters) or older multi-register meters. Switching can still be possible, but it may require extra checks.
4) Exit fees and fixed-term conditions
If you’re in a fixed tariff, you might face an exit fee. Factor it into your “break-even” before switching.
If you’re switching because you’re at the end of a fix, set a reminder to compare again before you roll onto a more expensive default tariff.
5) Direct debit vs pay-as-you-go differences
Tariffs can vary depending on payment method. If you’re on a prepayment meter, your options may be more limited and prices can differ. It’s still worth comparing, but don’t assume you’ll see the same deals as monthly direct debit.
6) Safety and practicality of shifting load
Running appliances overnight can be convenient, but follow manufacturer guidance and your own risk comfort. Don’t block ventilation or overload sockets, and consider noise for flats/terraces.
If you already have Economy 7: should you switch away?
If you no longer use storage heaters (or your lifestyle has changed), you may be better on a single-rate tariff. The quickest check is your bill: if your night usage is consistently low, E7 often becomes poor value.
FAQs: off-peak electricity tariffs in the UK
1) What are typical Economy 7 off-peak hours?
Often around 7 hours overnight (commonly near midnight–7am), but it varies by region and meter. Some meters shift with BST; others don’t. Always confirm on your bill or with your supplier.
2) Do I need a smart meter for an off-peak tariff?
Not for classic Economy 7/10 (a dual-rate meter can work). But many newer EV or “smart off-peak” tariffs require a smart meter and half-hourly readings to bill correctly.
3) How much do I need to use off-peak to make it worthwhile?
There’s no universal threshold because day/night rates and standing charges differ. As a rule of thumb, many households need roughly 30–40%+ of electricity usage in off-peak periods, but you should compare using your own day/night split.
4) Can I get Economy 7 if I have gas heating?
Yes, but it often only makes sense if you still have something significant to run off-peak (e.g., EV charging or an immersion heater for hot water). If most of your electricity is used during the day/evening, single-rate may be cheaper.
5) Can landlords stop tenants switching tariffs?
If you pay the energy bills and your name is on the account, you can usually switch supplier. However, if the landlord pays the bills (or it’s included in rent), you generally can’t switch. Check your tenancy agreement and talk to your landlord/agent if unsure.
6) Will switching to off-peak affect my storage heaters?
It can. Storage heaters are designed to charge during off-peak hours. If your off-peak window changes, you may need to adjust settings/timers so they charge at the cheaper rate and release heat when you need it.
7) Can I switch from Economy 7 to a single-rate tariff?
Often yes, but you may need a meter reconfiguration (or a smart meter setup) to bill you on a single unit rate. Some suppliers handle this more smoothly than others, so it’s worth checking before you initiate the switch.
8) Are off-peak tariffs covered by the Ofgem price cap?
The price cap applies to default tariffs (like standard variable) and limits overall charges, but it doesn’t work as a simple “cap per kWh” for every time band on every tariff. Always compare the full costs and read the tariff details.
9) What information should I gather for an accurate comparison?
Ideally: your annual kWh (or last 12 months), your day vs night usage (for E7/E10), your postcode, payment method (direct debit/prepayment), and whether you have (or want) a smart meter.
Trust, methodology and sources
Page details
- Written by
- EnergyPlus Editorial Team
- Reviewed by
- Energy Specialist
- Last updated
- March 2026
How we assess whether off-peak tariffs can save you
We focus on what actually determines your bill:
- Usage split: how much electricity you can move into off-peak windows (day vs night kWh, or half-hourly for smart tariffs)
- Tariff structure: day unit rate, off-peak unit rate(s), and standing charge
- Eligibility: meter type, ability to take smart tariffs, and payment method
- Practical fit: whether off-peak times match real household routines (and whether you can safely schedule loads)
Limitations: The scenario numbers on this page are illustrative. Your actual costs depend on your exact unit rates, standing charge, region, and how accurately your usage can be shifted. We recommend comparing using your bill data (or smart meter usage) before switching.
Sources (UK)
- Ofgem (energy regulator) – information on switching, smart meters and consumer protections
- Citizens Advice: energy – practical consumer guidance on tariffs, bills and complaints
- GOV.UK – general public guidance and consumer information
Ready to check if off-peak will save you money?
Get a whole-of-market comparison based on your postcode and meter setup. We’ll show off-peak options where suitable and standard tariffs if they’re better value.
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