Energy tariffs with free weekend electricity in the UK
Compare whole-of-market UK energy deals (including tariffs that offer discounted or free weekend electricity) and check whether a weekend-focused plan suits your home.
- See what “free weekends” really means (and what to watch for in the rates)
- Check if you’ll save with high weekend usage (EV charging, washing, batch cooking)
- Compare fixed, variable and smart tariffs from across the market
Homes only. Availability varies by supplier, meter type and region. “Free” refers to unit rates in defined weekend hours; standing charges and other rates may apply.
Compare weekend electricity tariffs for your home
Weekend electricity offers can be great if your household genuinely uses a lot of power on Saturdays and Sundays. But the headline “free weekend electricity” can hide higher weekday unit rates, longer fixed terms, or exit fees. EnergyPlus helps you compare whole-of-market home energy tariffs and spot the deals that fit your usage pattern.
What counts as “free weekend electricity” in the UK?
Suppliers label these tariffs in different ways. In practice, they usually mean one of the following:
- £0 unit rate during defined weekend hours (e.g. all day Saturday & Sunday, or a set window)
- Discounted weekend unit rate rather than fully free
- Smart/Time-of-Use plans where the weekend is cheaper, but not necessarily free
Tip: “Free” rarely means no bill. Standing charges still apply, and your weekday/kWh rate can be higher. Always compare the estimated annual cost based on how you use energy.
Get weekend-tariff options
Fill in a few details and we’ll match you with tariffs that may include weekend deals, off-peak pricing or other ways to cut costs.
Not sure if you use enough at weekends? Jump to who these tariffs suit for a quick checklist.
Who benefits most from free weekend electricity tariffs?
These tariffs work best when you can shift flexible electricity use into the supplier’s weekend “free” window. If most of your usage is weekdays 4pm–9pm, a standard fixed tariff may be cheaper overall.
EV and PHEV drivers
If you can charge mainly on Saturdays/Sundays, the savings can be meaningful. Check the weekday unit rates too.
High laundry & appliance use
Batch washing/drying, dishwashers, and baking at the weekend can push more kWh into the cheaper period.
Work-from-home weekends
If your home is busier at weekends (kids at home, hobbies, cooking), you may naturally use more electricity then.
Heat pump & electric heating users
If you run electric heating more at weekends, cheaper weekend kWh can help. But check standing charge and weekday rate carefully.
Smart meter households
Many time-of-use and “free period” tariffs are easiest with a smart meter for accurate half-hourly readings.
Budget-focused switchers
If you can change habits (timer plugs, delayed starts), you can squeeze more value from weekend pricing.
How free weekend electricity tariffs work
A “free weekend” tariff is a type of time-of-use pricing. The supplier offers a very low (sometimes zero) unit rate for electricity during a defined weekend period, and recovers cost through higher rates at other times or via standing charge.
- Check the free window: confirm the exact hours and whether it’s Saturday, Sunday, or both.
- Understand the weekday unit rate: compare weekday kWh pricing against a standard fixed tariff.
- Look at standing charge: a higher daily charge can cancel out weekend savings for low-use homes.
- Review contract terms: length, exit fees, and how prices change at renewal.
- Estimate with your usage: savings depend on how many kWh you can shift into the weekend window.
Quick rule of thumb: the more of your electricity you can reliably use at weekends (or during the defined “free” period), the more likely you are to benefit. If you can’t shift usage, a “free weekend” tariff can be more expensive overall.
Rates & hidden costs to check before you switch
To compare “free weekend electricity” tariffs properly, focus on total cost rather than the headline. Use this checklist to avoid common traps.
| What to check | Why it matters | Good sign |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend window (hours + days) | If the “free” period is short, you may not shift enough kWh to benefit. | A clear window that matches when you can run appliances/charge EV. |
| Weekday unit rate (p/kWh) | Some tariffs raise weekday rates to fund the weekend discount. | Competitive weekday rate vs other fixed tariffs available to you. |
| Standing charge (p/day) | A high standing charge can erode savings, especially for low usage. | In line with other tariffs in your region. |
| Exit fees and contract length | If prices fall, you may want to switch again without penalty. | Reasonable term, transparent fees, clear renewal process. |
| Meter requirements (smart / multi-rate) | Time-based pricing typically requires correct meter readings. | You already have a smart meter or the supplier supports your setup. |
A realistic savings check
If you move 30–40% of your electricity into the weekend free/cheap window, you’re more likely to see value. If you only shift a couple of loads of washing, savings may be limited.
Gas vs electricity
Most “free weekend” offers focus on electricity. If you’re dual fuel, compare the gas rate too—sometimes the electricity offer is strong but gas is less competitive.
Eligibility: can you get a free weekend electricity tariff?
Availability depends on your location, meter setup and supplier criteria. Here’s what typically matters for UK households.
You’re a domestic customer
This page and our comparisons are for home energy only (not business premises).
Meter type fits the tariff
Many weekend or time-of-use tariffs are designed for smart meters to track usage accurately by time.
Regional pricing applies
Unit rates and standing charges vary by region, so the same tariff can price differently across the UK.
If you’re on a prepayment meter, your choices may be more limited—but it’s still worth checking. Tell us your meter type in the form above and we’ll show relevant options.
Common mistakes with “free weekend” energy deals
Assuming free weekends = cheapest overall
If your weekday unit rate is much higher, you can end up paying more across the month. Always compare estimated annual cost.
Not checking the exact hours
Some tariffs define “weekend” as a specific time window. Make sure it matches when you’ll actually use electricity.
Forgetting standing charges
Standing charges can be a significant part of the bill, especially for smaller households and flats.
Switching without a usage plan
The biggest wins come from shifting: EV charging, tumble dryer, dishwasher, immersion heater, or batch cooking.
FAQs: free weekend electricity tariffs (UK)
Are free weekend electricity tariffs actually free?
They can be “free” in the sense that the electricity unit rate during the defined weekend hours is £0. You’ll usually still pay a standing charge, and your weekday unit rate may be higher. That’s why it’s important to compare the full tariff structure.
Do I need a smart meter for a weekend tariff?
Often, yes. Many weekend and time-of-use tariffs rely on smart meter readings (sometimes half-hourly) to apply different prices at different times. If you’re not sure, tell us your meter type in the comparison form.
Can I get free weekend electricity on a prepayment meter?
Some suppliers offer time-based deals to prepayment customers, but choice can be more limited than for credit meters. Your eligibility depends on the supplier, meter type and region. We can still check what’s available for your home.
Will switching affect my supply?
No—your gas and electricity supply continues as normal. Switching is a billing change between suppliers, not a physical change to your pipes or wires.
What if my usage is mostly on weekdays?
A weekend-focused tariff may not suit you. In that case, you may do better on a competitive fixed tariff, or a different time-of-use plan with cheaper overnight rates. The key is matching the tariff to your real usage pattern.
Still unsure? Use the form and we’ll help you compare weekend-friendly options alongside standard tariffs to see which is best value.
Why households use EnergyPlus
People come to EnergyPlus to compare options clearly—especially when tariff structures get complicated (like weekend offers, off-peak windows, and smart tariffs).
“The explanation of the weekend window and the weekday rates made it easy to see whether it was worth it for our EV charging.”
Homeowner, South East
“We thought free weekends meant we’d save loads. Comparing properly helped us pick a better fixed deal instead.”
Tenant, West Midlands
“Simple form, quick call, and we switched to a tariff that fit our weekend-heavy usage.”
Family household, Scotland
Trust indicators
- Whole-of-market comparisons focused on domestic energy
- Clear guidance on unit rates, standing charges and contract terms
- UK-based support for switching questions
Ready to see if free weekend electricity is worth it?
Share your postcode and meter type and we’ll compare weekend-friendly tariffs alongside standard deals—so you can choose based on total cost, not headlines.
- Whole-of-market comparison for UK homes
- Spot higher weekday rates and standing charges quickly
- Find a tariff that matches how your household uses energy
Start your comparison
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