What are smart meter tariffs with cheap night rates?

Smart meter tariffs with cheap night rates (often called time-of-use tariffs) offer lower electricity prices during off-peak hours, typically overnight. Your smart meter automatically records when you use electricity so you’re billed at the correct peak and off-peak rates. They can work well if you can shift usage to night-time—such as charging an EV, running a dishwasher, or heating water.

What times are the night rates and how do I find the exact hours?

Night-rate hours vary by tariff and supplier, and some tariffs also include additional off-peak or shoulder periods. Always check your tariff’s unit rates and time bands before switching, especially if you plan to run appliances or charge an EV overnight.

Will a cheap night rate tariff save me money?

It can—if enough of your electricity use happens during off-peak hours. These tariffs may have higher daytime unit rates (and a daily standing charge still applies), so savings depend on your usage pattern. A good rule of thumb is that the more you can shift to overnight (EV charging, storage heating, washing/drying), the more likely you are to benefit.

Are cheap night rate tariffs good for EV charging at home?

Yes. EV owners often benefit because they can schedule charging for the lowest-priced hours. To maximise savings, use your charger’s scheduling features (or your vehicle’s app) and confirm the tariff’s off-peak window and any smart charging requirements.

Are these tariffs suitable for heat pumps, storage heaters or immersion heaters?

They can be. Homes with flexible electric heating, hot water cylinders, storage heaters, or heat pumps may reduce costs by running more consumption overnight. It’s important to check comfort requirements and whether your system can be programmed to take advantage of off-peak time bands.

Can I get cheap night rates on a dual-fuel (gas + electricity) tariff?

Often, yes—night-rate pricing applies to electricity only, while gas is billed separately. If you’re comparing deals, look at the electricity day rate, night rate, and standing charge, as well as your gas unit rate and standing charge, to understand the full cost.

How do I compare smart meter night rate tariffs and switch?

Compare the off-peak unit rate, peak/day unit rate, standing charge, and the exact time bands. Then consider your household routine and how much usage you can shift to off-peak. To switch, have your postcode and current supplier details ready, confirm your meter type, and choose a tariff that matches your usage—then complete the switch online at https://www.energyplus.co.uk/.

Will switching affect my smart meter or my supply?

Switching supplier should not interrupt your energy supply. Your smart meter should continue to work; however, smart functionality can vary depending on meter and supplier systems. Your new supplier will explain how readings are collected and what (if anything) you need to do.

What information do I need to switch to a cheap night rate tariff?

Typically you’ll need your address and postcode, your current supplier, and meter details. Having recent usage or a bill helps you compare costs accurately. If you have an EV or storage heating, estimate how much electricity you can move into off-peak hours to choose the best tariff.

Energy tariffs with cheap night rates for smart meters

Q: Do I need a smart meter to get a cheap night rate tariff?

In most cases, yes. Cheap night rate and time-of-use tariffs rely on half-hourly readings, which a smart meter provides automatically. If you don’t have one yet, you may still be able to switch—then arrange installation so the tariff can be applied accurately.

Understand when a cheap night-rate tariff can reduce your bills (and when it won’t), how smart meter half-hourly pricing works, and what to check before you switch.

UK-focused guidance for smart meter time-of-use and off-peak deals
Clear examples with numbers, plus pitfalls like high day rates and standing charges
Compare whole-of-market options with EnergyPlus in minutes (no obligation)

Get your smart meter quote How cheap night rates work

Rates and availability vary by supplier, region, meter setup and payment method. All examples are estimates for illustration only.

Fast answer: are cheap night-rate tariffs worth it with a smart meter?

They can be worth it if you can reliably shift a meaningful chunk of your electricity use into the supplier’s off-peak window (often overnight). With a smart meter, suppliers can offer time-of-use tariffs (cheap nights, peak pricing, or half-hourly rates). The catch is that the day/peak rate and standing charge may be higher, so you need to check your likely use pattern before switching.

Usually suits

EV charging at home overnight
Heat pump use you can schedule (where practical)
Households that run appliances on timers (dishwasher, washer/dryer)
Battery storage that charges off-peak (where tariff rules allow)

Usually not ideal

Most usage happens in daytime/evenings
You can’t move usage because of household routine
All-electric homes that need steady daytime heating
You prefer bill certainty and simple tariffs

Quick check (rule of thumb)

A cheap night-rate tariff often starts to look competitive when you can shift around 25–40% of electricity into off-peak hours.

This is not a guarantee. The break-even point depends on the day rate, standing charge, and your region.

Important: A “cheap night rate” is only one part of the bill. Always compare total estimated annual cost, including standing charges and any peak rates.

Compare smart meter night-rate tariffs (whole of market)

Tell us a few details and we’ll match you to available options for your area and meter type, including time-of-use and off-peak tariffs where eligible.

What you’ll need: your postcode and contact details. If you know whether you have a single-rate or two-rate setup (e.g., Economy 7), that helps—but it’s not required.

How cheap night rates work with smart meters

With a smart meter, suppliers can bill electricity in time blocks (for example, cheaper overnight and more expensive at peak times). Some tariffs use fixed off-peak windows (similar to Economy 7), while others use half-hourly pricing or multiple rate periods.

Time-of-use (TOU): different unit rates depending on time/day.
Off-peak window: a set number of low-rate hours (often overnight).
Peak periods: higher rates during busy times (often early evening).
Standing charge: daily cost regardless of usage—can differ between tariffs.

Get your quote

We’ll use your details to prepare an estimate and contact you with suitable tariffs. You can ask questions before switching.

First name

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Postcode

Used to check availability and local rates (Great Britain).

Telephone

Your meter setup (if you know it)

Not sure? That’s fine—your supplier or bill can confirm later.

By submitting, you agree we can contact you about quotes. We won’t promise savings.

Two realistic scenarios (with numbers)

These examples show why the split between day and night usage matters. Figures are estimated and ignore standing charges so you can see the impact of unit rates alone. Your actual quote will depend on your region, payment method and tariff terms.

Scenario A: EV owner shifting lots to night

Annual electricity use: 3,600 kWh
Off-peak share: 40% (1,440 kWh)
Day share: 60% (2,160 kWh)

Compare:

Flat rate: 28p/kWh ? 3,600 × £0.28 = £1,008
Night-rate tariff: 15p night, 33p day ? (1,440 × £0.15) + (2,160 × £0.33) = £928.80

Estimated difference: ~£79/year before standing charges and any other fees.

Scenario B: Typical routine, little night use

Annual electricity use: 2,900 kWh
Off-peak share: 15% (435 kWh)
Day share: 85% (2,465 kWh)

Compare:

Flat rate: 28p/kWh ? 2,900 × £0.28 = £812
Night-rate tariff: 15p night, 33p day ? (435 × £0.15) + (2,465 × £0.33) = £878.10

Estimated difference: ~£66/year higher before standing charges and any other fees.

Why we show it this way: Standing charges can change the result either way. Always compare the supplier’s full annual estimate for your postcode and payment method.

Compare your options: cheap night rates vs other smart tariffs

Not every “smart” tariff is the same. Use this table to narrow down what to ask for when you compare quotes.

Tariff type	How pricing works	Best for	Watch-outs
Two-rate (off-peak/night)	Cheap unit rate for a set overnight window; higher day rate.	EV charging, timed appliances, some storage setups.	Day rate may be materially higher; off-peak times vary by tariff/region.
Multi-rate / peak & off-peak	Several price blocks (e.g., peak, shoulder, night).	People who can avoid peak periods (often early evening).	Complexity; peak price can be steep if you can’t shift usage.
Half-hourly / smart variable	Prices can change frequently (e.g., daily or half-hourly) based on wholesale costs.	Tech-savvy households able to flex demand when prices are low.	Less bill certainty; not ideal if you need predictable costs.
Standard single-rate	One unit rate all day + standing charge.	Most households; simple budgeting; limited shiftable load.	May miss out on off-peak savings if you have EV/storage and flexibility.

Decision checklist: before you choose a cheap night-rate tariff

Can you move EV charging, laundry, dishwasher or immersion heater to off-peak?
What are the off-peak hours (and are they fixed year-round)?
How much higher is the day/peak unit rate than a simple tariff?
What’s the standing charge and does it offset the cheaper night unit rate?
Is there an exit fee or minimum term?
Do you have (or plan) an EV / heat pump / home battery in the next 12 months?

What to ask suppliers (or us) to confirm

Is it available for my postcode region and payment method (Direct Debit vs prepayment)?
Do I need a smart meter in credit mode and is it SMETS2/compatible?
Are there different rates for weekends or bank holidays?
Does the tariff require an app or specific billing arrangement?
Will my meter configuration change (single-rate vs two-rate) and how will it appear on my bill?

Costs, exclusions and common pitfalls (UK-specific)

Cheap night rates can be excellent for the right household, but these are the issues that most often cause disappointment after switching.

1) Higher day/peak rate

Many off-peak tariffs “pay for” the cheap night rate with a higher daytime (or peak) price. If your use is mostly 4pm–9pm, you may pay more overall.

2) Standing charges vary by region

Standing charges can differ significantly by region and tariff. Always compare using your postcode and preferred payment method, not a headline unit rate.

3) Off-peak hours aren’t universal

“Night” might mean different windows across suppliers and networks. Economy-style schedules can also differ by area.

4) Smart meter eligibility & configuration

Some tariffs require half-hourly reads or a particular smart meter setup. If your meter isn’t communicating reliably, billing may fall back to estimates until fixed.

5) Exit fees and term length

Fixed tariffs may have exit fees. Variable smart tariffs may not, but can change prices more often. Check the tariff information label and your contract summary.

6) Prepayment and renting

Prepayment options and eligibility can be more limited. If you rent, you can usually switch supplier, but you mustn’t remove or damage the meter and you should keep the landlord informed.

Practical tip: If you have smart meter data in an app or online account, check a typical week and estimate what percentage of your kWh lands overnight. That’s often the quickest way to decide if a night-rate tariff is worth exploring.

FAQs: cheap night-rate smart meter tariffs

Do I need a smart meter to get a cheap night-rate tariff?

Often, yes—especially for tariffs with multiple time bands or half-hourly pricing. Some traditional two-rate setups exist without smart meters, but availability varies and many suppliers now prefer smart meters for accurate time-based billing.

What are “night hours” in the UK?

There’s no single UK-wide definition. Off-peak windows can differ by supplier and network area. Your tariff documents should state the exact times, and some smart tariffs have different rates by day of week.

Will a cheap night rate help if I don’t have an EV?

It can, but the benefit is usually smaller unless you have other shiftable loads (e.g., a home battery, immersion heater, or you can reliably run appliances overnight). If most of your electricity is used in the evening, a night-rate tariff may cost more.

Is Economy 7 the same as a smart meter cheap night-rate tariff?

They’re similar in concept (two rates), but not identical. Economy 7 typically has 7 off-peak hours, while smart tariffs may offer different windows, more than two rates, or prices that vary more frequently. Always compare using the actual times and rates offered to you.

Can I switch if I’m in a flat or renting?

In many cases, yes. Tenants are usually allowed to choose their supplier, as long as they’re responsible for paying the bill. You should avoid altering the meter and keep any required permissions in mind. If you have a communal heating arrangement, electricity may still be switchable but heating may not be.

Will switching affect my smart meter or readings?

Switching shouldn’t damage your meter. However, smart functionality (automatic readings) can vary by supplier and meter type. If there’s a communication issue, bills may temporarily be based on estimates until resolved—take manual readings if asked.

Are cheap night-rate tariffs available on prepayment meters?

Sometimes, but choices can be more limited and not every smart tariff supports prepayment. If you’re on prepayment, it’s still worth comparing—just expect fewer options and confirm any top-up/app requirements.

Do I need to give half-hourly data consent?

Some smart tariffs require half-hourly consumption data for billing. Suppliers should explain what data they need and why. If you’re unsure, ask for the tariff’s data requirements and how to change your smart meter data settings.

Trust, methodology and sources

Editorial trust

Written by: EnergyPlus Editorial Team
Reviewed by: Energy Specialist
Last updated: February 2026

We aim to keep this guide accurate and practical. Tariffs change frequently; always check the supplier’s tariff information and your personalised quote.

How we assess “cheap night-rate” tariffs

For this guide, we focus on factors that typically determine whether an off-peak tariff is genuinely cost-effective:

Rate structure: night/off-peak unit rate vs day/peak unit rate(s)
Standing charge: daily cost and how it changes by region
Eligibility: smart meter requirements, half-hourly reads, payment method
Usability: clarity of off-peak windows and how easy it is to shift demand
Contract terms: fixed/variable pricing, exit fees, and any conditions

Limitations: our worked examples use illustrative p/kWh figures and exclude standing charges to show the mechanics. Your total cost depends on your local rates and your actual consumption profile.

Sources (UK)

Ofgem (energy market rules, switching, and consumer protections)
Citizens Advice energy guidance (consumer rights and practical switching help)
GOV.UK smart meters (overview of smart meters and how they work)

Ready to check if a cheap night rate suits your smart meter?

Get a personalised comparison for your postcode, meter setup and usage needs. We’ll highlight tariffs with strong off-peak pricing and explain the trade-offs.

Get your energy quote Review the comparison table

We provide comparisons and guidance. Final prices, eligibility and switching timescales depend on supplier terms and your circumstances.

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Updated on 26 Feb 2026