Are energy tariffs with free electricity weekends worth it?
Free weekend electricity deals can work for some UK households, but the “free” part is often balanced by higher weekday unit rates or a higher standing charge. Use this guide to check if you’d genuinely save money, then compare whole-of-market options with EnergyPlus.
- See when free weekend power can reduce your annual bill
- Learn what to check: unit rates, standing charges, and usage patterns
- Compare alternatives like fixed, variable, and off-peak smart tariffs
Home energy only. Whole-of-market comparison. Results depend on your meter type, region, and when you use electricity.
Check if a free weekend tariff would actually cut your bill
The key question isn’t “How much is free?”—it’s how much you’ll pay the rest of the week. Many free weekend electricity tariffs have:
- Higher weekday unit rates (Mon–Fri)
- A higher standing charge (daily fee)
- Restrictions on the hours that count as “free” (e.g., only specific weekend windows)
If you can move a meaningful share of your electricity usage into the free window (e.g., running the washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, batch cooking, EV charging, or storage heating where suitable), you may benefit. If you’re already home during weekdays or use lots of electricity Mon–Fri, you may pay more overall.
Tip: If you have a smart meter (or half-hourly readings), you can get a more accurate view of weekend vs weekday usage. If not, you can still estimate based on your routine and typical appliance use.
Compare whole-of-market home tariffs
Fill in a few details to see whether free weekend electricity deals beat fixed, variable and other smart tariffs for your home.
What are “free electricity weekends” tariffs?
In the UK, “free weekend electricity” tariffs are electricity plans where your electricity unit rate is reduced to £0 (or close to it) during a defined weekend period—often all day Saturday and Sunday, or specific hours such as overnight and weekends. Outside that window, you pay the normal rate.
How suppliers balance the cost
- Higher weekday unit rates
- Higher standing charges
- Eligibility rules (e.g., smart meter required)
- Time windows that don’t match your lifestyle
Common home uses that can shift to weekends
- Washing machine / tumble dryer
- Dishwasher
- Batch cooking / electric oven use
- Immersion heater scheduling (where safe and appropriate)
- EV charging (if you have an EV and suitable charger)
These tariffs are typically aimed at customers who can be flexible. They’re different from traditional Economy 7/Economy 10 (which are structured around night-time off-peak), and they can be different again from dynamic tariffs where prices change every half hour.
Important: “Free” usually applies to the unit rate for electricity during the set hours. You may still pay a standing charge, and gas (if you have it) is billed separately at its own rates.
Benefits and drawbacks: who wins with free weekend electricity?
Can be worth it if…
- You can shift 25–40%+ of electricity use to weekends
- You run energy-hungry appliances mainly at weekends
- You have an EV and charge mostly Saturday/Sunday
- You’re able to schedule usage reliably
May not be worth it if…
- Your household is busy on weekends and uses power Mon–Fri
- You work from home with high daytime usage
- Your home uses electric heating mainly on weekdays
- Your deal has a noticeably higher standing charge
Watch-outs
- “Free” hours may exclude Friday night or Sunday evening
- Some tariffs need smart meters and half-hourly reads
- Exit fees may apply on fixed deals
- Intro rates can change after an initial period
Reality check: “Worth it” depends on your tariff’s weekday unit rate and standing charge, not just the weekend rate. Comparing the annual cost estimate is usually the quickest way to avoid surprises.
How to tell if a free weekend tariff is worth it (in 10 minutes)
- Find your current usage. Use your latest bill or app and note your annual kWh for electricity (and gas if you’re dual fuel).
- Estimate weekend share. Roughly what percentage of your electricity can shift to the free window (washing, drying, dishwashing, cooking, EV charging)? Be honest: convenience matters.
- Check the tariff details. Confirm the exact “free” hours, weekday unit rate, weekend unit rate, and standing charge. Don’t assume it’s all day.
- Do a quick cost test. Multiply your weekday kWh by the weekday unit rate, add any weekend kWh cost (if not fully free), then add standing charges for 365 days.
- Compare against normal deals. Check fixed and variable tariffs too—sometimes a strong fixed rate beats a “free weekend” plan even if you shift usage.
A simple rule of thumb
Free weekend tariffs tend to work best when your household can consistently move a large chunk of usage to the free period—especially if you:
- have an EV
- run multiple appliance loads each weekend
- can avoid high weekday peak use
When they disappoint
They often underperform if your usage is:
- steady through the week (especially daytime)
- driven by weekday electric cooking/heating
- hard to shift due to family routines
Free weekend electricity vs other UK home tariffs
| Tariff type | Best for | Potential downside | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free weekend electricity | Households shifting lots of usage to weekends; EV charging at weekends | Higher weekday rates / standing charge can wipe out savings | Exact free hours, weekday rate, standing charge, eligibility |
| Fixed rate | Budget certainty; stable monthly payments | Exit fees may apply; you might miss future price drops | Unit rate, standing charge, length, exit fees |
| Standard variable | Flexibility; no fixed-term commitment | Rates can change; may be less competitive | Current rates, how often changes occur |
| Off-peak smart/time-of-use | People who can shift use to off-peak hours (often overnight) | Peak hours can be expensive; requires behaviour change | Peak/off-peak windows, peak rate, smart meter requirement |
Energy prices vary by region (and sometimes by meter type and payment method). Comparing with your postcode helps ensure you’re looking at rates relevant to your area.
What can affect savings on free weekend electricity tariffs?
1) Standing charge
A higher daily standing charge can outweigh weekend “free” usage—especially for low-usage households or smaller flats.
2) Weekday unit rate
If the Mon–Fri electricity unit rate is noticeably above typical fixed/variable deals, you’ll need to shift more usage to catch up.
3) Your real weekend habits
Savings depend on what you’ll actually do week after week. If you forget to run loads at weekends, the tariff can become expensive.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Only comparing the headline. Always compare the weekday unit rate and standing charge too.
- Assuming “weekend” means 48 hours. Check the exact times and whether bank holidays count.
- Ignoring gas costs. If you’re dual fuel, a great electricity offer can be offset by a poor gas rate.
- Forgetting exit fees. Some fixed deals penalise early switching.
- Not matching the meter type. Some tariffs require a smart meter or specific configuration.
Regional and meter considerations (UK)
Why your postcode matters
Electricity and gas standing charges and unit rates vary across Great Britain by distribution region. That’s why the same “free weekend” deal can look better in one area than another.
Smart meters and half-hourly reads
Many time-based deals work best with smart meters because they track when you use energy. If you’re unsure whether you have one, you can still compare—just select “Not sure” in the form and we’ll show suitable options.
FAQs: free weekend electricity tariffs in the UK
Is weekend electricity really free?
Typically “free” refers to the electricity unit rate during set weekend hours. You’ll usually still pay a standing charge, and any electricity used outside the free window is charged at the normal rate.
Do I need a smart meter for free weekend tariffs?
Often, yes—especially for tariffs that depend on time windows or half-hourly readings. Some suppliers may offer weekend-based deals without a smart meter, but availability can be limited. Comparing with your details is the fastest way to see what’s available.
What appliances make the biggest difference?
The biggest gains usually come from moving higher-consumption activities into the free window. Common examples include:
- tumble drying
- batch washing (multiple loads)
- dishwasher cycles
- EV charging (where applicable)
What if I can’t shift my usage to weekends?
If most of your electricity use happens on weekdays, a free weekend plan may increase your costs due to higher weekday rates. In that case, you may do better on a competitive fixed tariff or a smart off-peak tariff aligned with your routine.
Can I switch away if it doesn’t work out?
Usually yes, but check whether your tariff is fixed and whether it has an exit fee. If you’re unsure, compare options and review the tariff terms before starting a switch.
Will this affect my supply or cause downtime?
No—switching energy supplier doesn’t interrupt your electricity or gas supply. The change is handled behind the scenes. Your meter and infrastructure stay the same (unless you separately arrange a meter upgrade).
Ready to see if free weekend electricity is right for your home?
Compare whole-of-market UK home energy tariffs by postcode and get a clearer view of your likely annual cost—not just a headline offer.
- Check fixed, variable and time-of-use tariffs side by side
- Spot higher standing charges and expensive weekday rates
- Switch with confidence based on your routine
Back to Energy News
Why households use EnergyPlus to compare
Whole-of-market
Compare a wide range of home energy tariffs, including fixed, variable and time-of-use options—so you can judge “free weekends” against the full market.
Designed to prevent bill shock
We focus on the numbers that matter: unit rates, standing charges, and estimated annual cost—so you don’t get caught out by weekday pricing.
Real-life guidance
Not sure if you can shift usage? Our comparisons make it easy to sanity-check whether your routine fits the tariff.