EnergyPlus · May 2026

Cheapest UK tariff for electric storage heaters (June 2026)

Electric storage heaters charge up overnight when electricity is cheaper and release heat during the day. That means the tariff you choose matters more than for most homes — get the off-peak unit rate wrong and your annual bill can double. This page sets out the cheapest UK tariffs for storage-heater homes in May 2026, when Economy 7 still beats single-rate, and where smart time-of-use tariffs are now genuinely cheaper still.

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Editorial information, not financial advice. Prices and policy can change — always confirm against the supplier and Ofgem.

Cheapest storage-heater tariff — June 2026 at a glance

For most UK storage-heater homes in May 2026, the cheapest tariff is Economy 7 on a 12-month fix from a major supplier — the off-peak unit rate typically sits around 12–15p/kWh while peak sits in the high-20s/low-30s. Smart time-of-use tariffs (Octopus Go, Intelligent Octopus Go) on SMETS2 can be cheaper still — sub-10p/kWh on the cheapest overnight slot — if your storage heaters can be controlled to match the off-peak window.

Quick checklist (May 2026):

  • Economy 7 with a 12-month fix is the cheapest default for most storage-heater homes.
  • Smart time-of-use (SMETS2) can be cheaper if you can match heater charging to off-peak.
  • Single-rate tariffs are almost always more expensive for storage-heater homes.
  • Off-peak window timings vary by network region (Economy 7) — check your meter or bill.
Last updated
May 2026
Reviewed by
Energy Specialist
Audience
UK households & small businesses

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Standing charges and tariff availability vary by network region.

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Cheapest UK tariffs for electric storage heaters in June 2026

A clear, current overview to help you choose with confidence.

How storage heaters use electricity

Storage heaters charge their internal bricks/cores overnight when off-peak rates apply, then release heat during the day. Most of your annual kWh comes through the off-peak rate — so the off-peak unit rate is the most important figure on any tariff comparison.

Economy 7 in June 2026

Economy 7 gives a ~7-hour off-peak window overnight (timings vary by network region). On the April–June 2026 cap, Economy 7 off-peak unit rates sit around 12–15p/kWh and peak rates around 28–31p/kWh. 12-month fixes can take 1–3p off the off-peak rate.

Economy 10 for high overnight use

Economy 10 gives ~10 hours of off-peak (a 7-hour overnight slot plus 3 hours in the afternoon and/or evening). Better than Economy 7 if your storage heaters can't fully charge in 7 hours, or if you have an immersion heater you want to schedule.

Smart time-of-use is the new frontier

On SMETS2, Octopus Go and Intelligent Octopus Go give a 4–5 hour overnight slot at sub-10p/kWh, with day rates similar to the cap. If your storage heaters can charge in that window (newer high-heat-retention units can), smart ToU is now the cheapest option.

Compare like-for-like

Indicative May 2026 view for a storage-heater home. Annual cost depends on your peak/off-peak usage split — use the form for personalised quotes.

What to compare Typical range (May 2026) Notes
Single-rate default tariff (Apr–Jun 2026 cap) One flat unit rate Usually most expensive for storage heaters — your overnight kWh pays peak prices.
Economy 7 default (capped) Off-peak ~12–15p, peak ~28–31p Standard for storage-heater homes. Sub-cap fixes available.
Economy 7 12-month fix Off-peak ~10–14p, peak ~27–30p Saves 1–3p on the off-peak rate — biggest impact on storage-heater bills.
Economy 10 default Two off-peak windows (7h + 3h) Useful if 7 hours isn't enough overnight charging time.
Smart ToU (Octopus Go on SMETS2) Sub-10p/kWh off-peak (4–5h), cap-rate peak Cheapest in May 2026 if you can match heater charging to the slot.

How to find the cheapest UK storage-heater tariff (June 2026)

  1. 1. Pull your peak/off-peak split

    From last 12 months — most bills break this down. Storage-heater homes typically run 60–80% off-peak.

  2. 2. Check your meter and window

    Economy 7, Economy 10 or smart. Note your off-peak hours.

  3. 3. Decide your structure

    Stay on Economy 7/10 for traditional storage heaters; consider smart ToU if you have SMETS2 and modern high-heat-retention heaters.

  4. 4. Get whole-of-market quotes

    Use the form on this page — it returns tariffs for your meter type and postcode.

  5. 5. Compare by off-peak rate

    Multiply off-peak rate × your off-peak kWh + peak rate × peak kWh + standing charge × 365. Don't compare by peak rate alone.

  6. 6. Apply and submit reads

    Switch in 5 working days. Submit opening reads (separate day and night reads) on day one.

Common pitfalls to avoid

The most frequent issues we see when households and businesses act on what looks like a good deal.

  • Comparing tariffs by peak rate alone — storage-heater homes spend most kWh at off-peak rates.
  • Switching to single-rate without a charging-pattern change — you'll usually pay much more.
  • Forgetting to check your off-peak hours — they vary by network region.
  • Using daytime boost on storage heaters routinely — boost runs at the peak rate.

Frequently asked questions

What's the cheapest tariff for storage heaters in June 2026?

For most homes, a 12-month Economy 7 fix from a major supplier — off-peak unit rate ~10–14p/kWh on the cheapest fixes. If you have SMETS2 and storage heaters that can fully charge in 4–5 hours, Octopus Go or Intelligent Octopus Go can be cheaper still.

Is Economy 7 always best for storage heaters?

For traditional high-storage night-charge models with ~7 hours of charge, yes. Newer high-heat-retention storage heaters with smaller cores can charge in 4–5 hours, which makes smart time-of-use tariffs viable and often cheaper.

What hours does Economy 7 cover?

Roughly 7 hours overnight, but the exact window varies by network region (commonly 12:30–07:30 GMT, but some areas run different slots). Check your last bill or call your supplier — getting this wrong means heaters charging at peak rates.

Is Economy 10 cheaper than Economy 7 for storage heaters?

Sometimes. The extra 3 hours of off-peak help if your storage heaters can't fully charge overnight, or if you want cheap afternoon top-ups. Economy 10 has a higher peak rate than Economy 7, so it only pays if you genuinely use the extra off-peak slot.

Should I switch storage heaters to a heat pump?

If you can afford the install and your home is well insulated, yes — a modern air-source heat pump delivers ~3–4× the heat per kWh of a resistive storage heater. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant of £7,500 remains available in May 2026 for eligible homes.

How do I lower my storage-heater bill without changing tariff?

Set heater 'output' control low overnight and use input control to set how much they charge — only charge to match the next day's likely heat demand. Block unused rooms. Keep boost off unless you really need extra heat.

Can I get a smart meter and stay on Economy 7?

Yes — SMETS2 supports Economy 7 in smart mode, so you keep the night-rate savings and get accurate billing. From SMETS2 you can also switch to a smart time-of-use tariff later if it suits.

Where do I find the cheapest storage-heater tariff for my postcode?

Use the form on this page — it surfaces Economy 7, Economy 10 and (on SMETS2) smart time-of-use tariffs from across the market for your postcode and meter.

Trust, methodology and sources

Page governance

Reviewed by
Energy Specialist
Last updated
May 2026

How we keep this page current

We refresh this page each month against the latest Ofgem cap, supplier tariff changes and current scheme guidance. Worked numbers are illustrative; quotes you receive via the comparison form are personalised to your meter and postcode.

Editorial independence: our priority is clarity and like-for-like comparison. Where commercial relationships exist, options are still presented on suitability and the information available at the time.

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Updated on 5 Jun 2026