What is a free weekend electricity tariff?

A free weekend electricity tariff is an energy plan that offers electricity at a 0p/kWh unit rate for a set window at weekends (for example, specific hours on Saturday and Sunday). Outside those hours, your electricity is charged at the tariff’s standard rate (and there is usually a daily standing charge).

Do I need a smart meter for a free weekend electricity tariff in the UK?

In most cases, yes. Suppliers usually require a working smart meter so they can accurately measure usage during the free weekend window and apply the correct pricing. If you don’t have one, you may need to book an installation before you can switch to this type of tariff.

Who benefits most from a free weekend electricity tariff?

These tariffs tend to suit households that can shift a meaningful share of electricity use into the weekend free period—such as running the washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, batch cooking, EV charging, or heating hot water. If most of your usage happens on weekdays, a standard fixed or competitive variable tariff may work out cheaper overall.

How can solar panels work with free weekend electricity tariffs?

Solar panels can reduce your paid electricity use during daylight hours, while a free weekend tariff can help cut costs further when you schedule high-usage tasks at weekends. If you have a battery, you can also store solar energy and use it later—then prioritise grid use during the free weekend window if your tariff offers 0p/kWh at that time.

Can I charge an EV for free at the weekend on these tariffs?

Often, yes—if your tariff’s free period includes the hours you charge and you have a smart meter. Make sure your charger or EV scheduling is set to start and stop within the exact free window to avoid being billed at the standard rate.

What should I check before switching to a free weekend electricity tariff?

Check the exact free hours, the weekday and non-free unit rates, the standing charge, tariff length, exit fees, and whether a smart meter is required. Also estimate how much electricity you can realistically move into the weekend window to see if the tariff reduces your total annual cost.

Are free weekend electricity tariffs good for heat pumps or electric heating?

They can be—especially if you can pre-heat your home or hot water during the free period and maintain comfort through insulation and controls. However, because heating demand often occurs on weekdays and evenings, it’s important to model your usage so the tariff doesn’t increase your overall bill.

How do I find the best free weekend electricity tariff for my home?

Compare tariffs based on your real consumption and how much you can shift to the weekend free window. If you have solar, a battery, or an EV, include those in your calculation. For tailored guidance on pairing solar (and optional battery storage) with the right tariff, start here: https://www.energyplus.co.uk/solar/

Are free weekend electricity tariffs always cheaper?

Not always. They can cost more if the weekday unit rate or standing charge is higher and you can’t shift enough usage into the free weekend window. Always model your expected kWh usage by time period.

Do I need a smart meter for a free weekend electricity tariff?

Often, yes. Many time-of-use tariffs require a smart meter to measure usage by time window. Check eligibility with the supplier before switching.

What appliances make the biggest difference on free weekends?

High-consumption tasks that can be scheduled help most: EV charging, tumble drying, washing/dishwashing cycles, and immersion heaters (where appropriate).

Energy tariffs with free weekend electricity UK

Q: Is weekend electricity really free?

The weekend unit rate may be 0p/kWh during the provider’s defined “free” period, but you’ll typically still pay a standing charge and you’ll pay the normal rate outside the free window. Some tariffs may also have higher weekday unit rates to offset the free period, so it’s important to compare the total expected annual cost.

Compare whole-of-market home energy deals that offer free (or discounted) electricity at the weekend. Tell us a few details and we’ll show options that match your meter type, usage and postcode.

Whole-of-market comparison for UK households (not business)
See weekend offers that suit EV charging, washing, batch cooking and more
Switching support and clear breakdowns of unit rates, standing charges and time windows

Compare free weekend tariffs How weekend tariffs work

No obligation. We’ll only use your details to generate quotes and support your switch. Availability depends on supplier, region and meter type.

Compare free weekend electricity tariffs in minutes

“Free weekend electricity” tariffs are usually time-of-use plans where electricity is free (or heavily discounted) during set weekend hours. They can be great if you can move usage to Saturday/Sunday—think EV charging, washing/drying, dishwasher cycles, batch cooking or immersion heating.

EnergyPlus is a whole-of-market UK comparison service for home energy. We’ll help you check whether a weekend offer is genuinely good value by comparing the full price structure—weekday unit rates, weekend windows, standing charges, and any peak rates.

Tip: “Free” doesn’t always mean cheaper

Some plans offset free weekend hours with higher weekday rates. We’ll surface the trade-offs so you can decide based on how your household actually uses energy.

What you’ll need

Your postcode (to match regional network charges)
Your meter type (smart meter helps for time-of-use tariffs)
Rough usage pattern (especially weekend vs weekday)

Get weekend tariff quotes

Complete the form and we’ll show matching tariffs, including weekend offers where available in your area.

Postcode

Tenure

Fuel

Meter type

Weekend usage pattern

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Check if it’s worth it

By submitting, you confirm you’re looking for home energy quotes. We’ll compare tariffs available in your region and share results based on your inputs.

Who benefits most from free weekend electricity tariffs?

Weekend deals can be excellent—but only when your household can shift meaningful electricity use into the free/discount window. Here are common best-fit scenarios.

EV drivers

If you can charge mainly on Saturday/Sunday, a weekend tariff may cut charging costs significantly versus flat-rate pricing.

Busy households

Laundry, tumble drying, dishwasher cycles and batch cooking can stack up. Moving these to the weekend window is often the easiest win.

Smart home & timers

Homes with smart meters, smart plugs or appliance timers can automatically run loads in the right hours—without lifestyle disruption.

Heat pump / immersion use

Some households can pre-heat water or top up thermal stores at the weekend—just be mindful of comfort and safety settings.

Solar + battery owners

A weekend plan can complement your setup: charge the battery cheaply/free on weekends and use stored energy strategically through the week.

Shift workers

If your “high-usage days” fall on weekends, you may get outsized value—especially if weekday use is naturally lower.

How free weekend electricity tariffs work (UK)

In the UK, weekend electricity deals are usually built on time-of-use pricing. The details vary by supplier and region, but the structure typically looks like this:

Plan feature	What it means	What to check
Weekend free/discount window	Electricity costs £0 (or reduced) for specific weekend hours.	Exact hours, whether both Sat & Sun apply, and if it’s truly free or just cheap.
Weekday unit rate(s)	Your normal cost per kWh outside the weekend window.	How it compares to standard fixed/variable tariffs for your region.
Standing charge	Daily fee you pay regardless of usage.	High standing charges can reduce the benefit of free hours for low-usage homes.
Meter requirements	Time-of-use tariffs often require a smart meter or multi-rate meter.	Whether you’re eligible now, or if you’d need a meter upgrade.
Exit fees / contract term	Some fixed deals include fees if you leave early.	Flexibility if prices fall, or if the tariff isn’t right after a few months.

A simple way to decide if it’s worth switching

Estimate your weekend kWh you can realistically shift into the free window (EV charge sessions, laundry, dishwasher, immersion, etc.).
Compare weekday rates and standing charges against a standard tariff—this is where “free” can get clawed back.
Look for restrictions (window times, smart meter requirements, caps, fair usage policies).
Check export/solar compatibility if you have panels, a battery or an EV charger with scheduling.

Costs, savings and common pitfalls

The best weekend electricity tariff is the one that reduces your total annual bill, not just your weekend unit price. Here’s what to watch for when comparing.

What can make you save

High weekend demand you can genuinely move into the free/cheap window
EV charging at home (large, flexible load)
Smart scheduling for appliances and chargers
Lower weekday usage (so higher weekday rates hurt less)

What can make you pay more

Higher weekday unit rates that outweigh weekend savings
Higher standing charge (especially for low-use households)
Not hitting the weekend window (e.g. doing laundry Friday night)
Assuming all weekend power is free when the window is limited

If you have solar panels

Weekend electricity offers can still be useful for overnight EV charging or topping up a home battery during the free window. But if your weekday unit rate is much higher, it may reduce the value of using grid electricity on cloudy weekdays. We’ll help you compare the full picture.

Eligibility: can I get a free weekend electricity tariff?

Availability varies across the UK by supplier, network area and your meter setup. Use the checklist below before you get your hopes up—and then compare weekend tariffs to see what’s live for your postcode.

You’re more likely to qualify if…

You have a smart meter (or can get one installed)
Your property is on a standard domestic supply (not business)
You can accept time-of-use pricing (rates vary by time)
You’re happy to schedule high-load appliances at weekends

You may have fewer options if…

You’re on prepayment (some suppliers offer fewer time-of-use plans)
You don’t have a smart meter and can’t get one fitted yet
Your usage is mostly weekday daytime (work-from-home heavy load)
You’re tied into a contract with high exit fees

Regional note

Standing charges and unit rates can differ by region (for example, across England, Scotland and Wales, and by distribution network). That’s why we ask for your postcode before showing accurate comparisons.

FAQs: free weekend electricity in the UK

Is weekend electricity really free?

Some tariffs offer £0 electricity for a defined weekend window; others offer a discounted rate. “Free” can also exclude the standing charge (which still applies). Always check the time window, rates outside it, and any fair usage rules.

Do I need a smart meter for a weekend tariff?

Often, yes. Time-of-use billing relies on half-hourly or multi-rate readings, which are typically supported by smart meters. Some multi-rate legacy meters may work for specific plans, but options are usually wider with a smart meter.

Can I get free weekend electricity with dual fuel?

Yes—some suppliers bundle electricity time-of-use offers with a gas tariff. The key is whether the combined deal is competitive overall. We compare electricity and dual fuel options based on your selection.

Will switching affect my supply or cause downtime?

No—your energy supply stays on during a switch. The change is administrative (your supplier and tariff), and you’ll be told the switch date. If you’re moving to a tariff that needs a smart meter, installation timing may vary.

What if my weekend use is low?

If you won’t shift much electricity into the free window, a weekend plan can be poor value—especially if weekday rates or the standing charge are higher. In that case, we’ll still show you competitive standard tariffs alongside weekend options (where available) so you can choose the best overall deal.

Can I use a weekend tariff for solar + battery?

Potentially. Some households charge batteries at weekends and use stored energy during weekday peaks. But compatibility depends on your meter setup and how the supplier handles time-of-use billing. Compare with your usage pattern to avoid paying more on weekdays.

Why households use EnergyPlus

Weekend electricity deals are easy to misunderstand. We focus on clarity—so you can switch with confidence.

“The comparison made it obvious which ‘free weekend’ deal was actually cheaper overall.”

Homeowner, West Midlands

“We charge the EV on Sundays. Switching was straightforward and the tariff breakdown was clear.”

Household with EV, Greater Manchester

“Good explanation of smart meter requirements and weekend windows—no surprises.”

Tenant, Cardiff

Trust & transparency

Whole-of-market approach designed for UK households
Tariff comparisons include standing charges and time windows
Clear next steps after you submit the form

Ready to see free weekend electricity tariffs for your postcode?

Compare weekend offers and standard tariffs side-by-side so you can choose the best value for your home—based on your meter type and usage pattern.

Fast form, no obligation
Clear breakdown of weekend windows, weekday rates and standing charges
Built for UK households (not business)

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Availability varies by supplier and region. Weekend offers may require a smart meter and have specific time windows.

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Updated on 31 Dec 2025