Energy suppliers offering free electricity hours in the UK
Compare whole-of-market UK home energy tariffs — including deals that offer free electricity for certain hours — and see what could work for your household. Tell us a few details and we’ll help you check availability and compare like-for-like costs.
- Whole-of-market comparison for UK homes (not business)
- Understand “free hours” offers: when they apply, caps, and exclusions
- See whether a time-of-use tariff could reduce your bills
- Quick form ? we’ll help you compare available options
Free-hour offers vary by supplier, meter type and region. Always check tariff terms (including standing charges and peak rates) before switching.
Compare UK tariffs that include free electricity hours
Some UK home energy suppliers periodically launch tariffs that include free electricity for a set number of hours (for example, a free off-peak window on certain days). These offers are usually a type of time-of-use tariff designed to encourage you to shift usage away from peak times.
The key is comparing the whole tariff — not just the free window. A deal can look generous, but if the peak unit rate or standing charge is higher, the savings may disappear unless you can move enough usage into the free hours.
Good to know: Free-hour tariffs are typically available to households with a smart meter (or one being installed). If you don’t have one, we’ll still help you compare alternatives that can cut bills — including fixed tariffs and standard variable options, depending on what’s available.
What we’ll use your details for
- Check which suppliers and tariff types are available in your area (based on postcode).
- Match you to the right tariff style: fixed, variable, or time-of-use (including free-hours offers where available).
- Compare likely costs based on your household — not just headline claims.
Get a comparison
Complete the form and we’ll help you check deals available for your home.
Prefer to research first? Use the jump links above to learn how these tariffs work and what to look for — then come back to compare.
Who free electricity hours can suit (and who should be cautious)
Free-hour electricity tariffs can be useful if you can shift flexible usage into the free window. If most of your electricity use is at peak times (early evening, for example), a standard fixed tariff may be better value.
Best for
- EV charging at home (overnight or scheduled)
- Tumble dryer / dishwasher / washing machine on timers
- Households home in the daytime (if free hours are daytime-based)
- People comfortable monitoring usage via an app/in-home display
Could work with tweaks
- Families who can batch laundry/dishwasher cycles
- Electric cooking with some prep earlier in the day
- Heat pump users where controls can shift demand slightly
- People who can avoid high-use appliances at peak rates
Be cautious if
- You can’t shift usage away from peak times
- Your home has high evening electricity demand
- You prefer predictable costs without usage scheduling
- You don’t have (or can’t get) a smart meter
How “free electricity hours” tariffs work in the UK
A free-hours tariff is usually a time-of-use electricity tariff. You pay different unit rates depending on the time and day — and during the promotional “free” window, the electricity unit rate may be £0.00 per kWh (or heavily discounted). The standing charge still applies unless the tariff terms say otherwise.
Important: There isn’t one universal “free electricity hours” tariff available to everyone. Deals appear and change over time. Availability can depend on your region, your meter setup, and whether the supplier supports your profile.
What varies between suppliers and tariffs
The free window
- Which hours are free (overnight vs daytime)
- Which days it applies (weekends only, weekdays only, or specific days)
- How long the promotion lasts
Pricing outside the free window
- Peak and off-peak unit rates
- Standing charge (can be a deciding factor)
- Exit fees and contract length (for fixed deals)
How to use free hours effectively
- List shiftable appliances: dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, immersion heater, EV charger, dehumidifier.
- Estimate kWh moved: the more kWh you can move into the free window, the better the deal tends to perform.
- Set schedules safely: use built-in delay-start features, smart plugs (where appropriate), and manufacturer guidance.
- Track for 2–4 weeks: check actual usage and bill breakdown; adjust routines if peak costs are creeping up.
What to check before choosing a free-hours tariff
If you’re searching for an energy supplier offering free electricity hours in the UK, treat the “free” element as just one part of the overall cost. Use this checklist to avoid surprises.
| What to check | Why it matters | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Peak unit rate | A higher peak rate can wipe out free-hour savings. | Compare peak rate vs a good fixed tariff in your region. |
| Standing charge | You pay it regardless of usage. | Check electricity (and gas, if dual fuel) standing charges. |
| Free-hours rules | Some offers apply only on certain days/times. | Exact time window, time zone (BST/GMT), and if it can change. |
| Caps / fair use | Some tariffs limit the free consumption or include exclusions. | Any kWh limit, policy wording, or exclusions for certain devices. |
| Contract length & fees | Leaving early can cost money on fixed deals. | Exit fees, renewal terms, and price review clauses. |
| Smart meter needs | Time-of-use billing usually requires smart readings. | Whether you have a smart meter and if it’s communicating properly. |
Tip: If you’re unsure how much usage you can shift, start by identifying 2–3 appliances you can reliably run in the free window. A tariff only pays off when the behaviour change is realistic.
How much could free electricity hours save? (UK examples)
Savings depend on your rates and how much electricity you can move into the free period. The examples below are illustrative only — your actual costs will vary by supplier, region, and tariff terms.
Example 1: Laundry + dishwasher
You shift 6 kWh per week into free hours (e.g., 2 washes, 1 dry, 3 dishwasher cycles).
Potential value: If your peak unit rate is ~28p/kWh, that’s around £1.68/week or £87/year — before accounting for any higher standing/peak rates.
Example 2: EV charging
You shift 40 kWh per week (one full charge session) to the free window.
Potential value: At ~28p/kWh, that’s around £11.20/week or £582/year — if the rest of the tariff remains competitive.
Example 3: Weekend daytime shift
You move 12 kWh across weekend free hours using batch cooking, laundry and cleaning.
Potential value: At ~28p/kWh, around £3.36/week or £175/year — assuming peak costs don’t rise too much.
Reality check: If a free-hours tariff has a higher standing charge (or higher peak rate), you’ll need to shift enough kWh to offset that difference. A whole-of-market comparison helps you see the trade-offs clearly.
Eligibility and practical requirements
Usually required
- UK domestic supply (these pages and offers are for home energy)
- Smart meter capable of sending half-hourly readings
- Supplier coverage in your region (varies by network area)
- Compatible payment method (e.g., monthly Direct Debit on many tariffs)
Worth checking
- If your smart meter is communicating (not all do consistently)
- Whether the tariff supports dual fuel (gas may be separate)
- If there are usage thresholds or fair use clauses
- How the supplier handles BST/GMT clock changes for the free window
If you’re not eligible: we can still compare competitive fixed and variable tariffs and highlight options like off-peak rates where available. Start at the comparison form.
Common mistakes when chasing “free electricity” deals
Focusing only on the free window
If most of your electricity is used outside the free hours, a higher peak rate can outweigh any benefit. Always compare the total expected annual cost.
Ignoring standing charge differences
A slightly higher standing charge adds up every day. It’s often the hidden reason a “free hours” tariff underperforms.
Overestimating how much you can shift
Be realistic about routines (school runs, work patterns, noise constraints). If shifting usage isn’t sustainable, the tariff won’t deliver.
Not checking meter compatibility
Some time-of-use tariffs need smart readings to bill correctly. If your meter can’t send data, billing issues can undermine the experience.
FAQs: free electricity hours from UK energy suppliers
Do any UK energy suppliers really give free electricity?
Some suppliers offer tariffs where the electricity unit rate is £0.00 per kWh during specific hours. However, the rest of the tariff (peak rates and standing charge) still applies. The value depends on how much electricity you can shift into the free window.
Do I need a smart meter for free-hour tariffs?
Usually, yes. Time-of-use billing typically relies on smart meter readings to allocate usage to the right rate bands. If you don’t have a smart meter, you can still compare other money-saving tariffs.
Are free electricity hours available everywhere in the UK?
Not always. Availability can vary by region (your local electricity network), meter setup, and supplier criteria. Use your postcode in the form to check what’s available for your home.
Is it better to get a free-hours tariff or a cheap fixed tariff?
It depends on your usage pattern. If you can shift meaningful usage into the free window (e.g., EV charging), free-hours tariffs may work well. If your usage is mostly at peak times, a competitive fixed tariff may offer more predictable savings.
Will I still pay a standing charge during free hours?
In most cases, yes. The standing charge is usually separate from the unit rate and applies every day. Always check the tariff information and terms.
Can I get free hours on gas too?
Free-hour promotions are typically linked to electricity (because shifting electricity demand helps the grid). Gas tariffs usually don’t work in the same time-of-use way for homes.
How quickly can I switch?
Switching times vary by supplier and circumstances, but many switches complete within days to a couple of weeks. If you’re in a fixed deal, check whether exit fees apply.
Why compare with EnergyPlus
Free electricity hours can sound simple, but the value is in the detail. EnergyPlus helps you compare options clearly and focus on the tariff that best matches your household — including time-of-use structures where available.
Whole-of-market approach
We focus on what’s available for your postcode and meter setup, not just headline offers.
Like-for-like comparisons
We help you compare standing charges, peak rates, and free-hour rules to understand true costs.
Designed for UK homes
Guidance tailored to common UK household usage patterns, appliances and switching journeys.
What people look for (and what we help with)
“I kept seeing ‘free electricity’ but couldn’t tell if it was actually cheaper.”
We break down the full tariff impact — free window vs peak rates and standing charges — so you can decide with confidence.
“I’ve got a smart meter and an EV — I want a tariff that rewards off-peak charging.”
We’ll help you check time-of-use and free-hour options and compare them against strong fixed deals.
Ready to check if free electricity hours are available for your home?
Use our whole-of-market comparison to see tariffs available for your postcode — including time-of-use deals with free-hour promotions where available — and find the best fit for how you use electricity.
We’ll help you compare the full tariff cost — not just the headline “free” hours.
Quick checklist
- Can you move 10–30% of usage into the free window?
- Have you checked peak unit rate and standing charge?
- Do you have a smart meter (or can you get one)?
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