Should I switch to an Economy 7 tariff in the UK now?

Economy 7 can be worth it if you can shift a significant share of your electricity use into the cheaper night-rate window (typically 7 hours overnight) — especially for storage heaters, immersion heaters, EV charging, or running appliances on timers. If most of your usage stays in daytime/peak hours, the higher day rate can make you worse off. A quick rule: it’s often beneficial if roughly 30–40%+ of your usage can move to the off-peak period (your exact break-even depends on your supplier’s rates).

How does Economy 7 work (and what are the off-peak hours)?

Economy 7 is a two-rate electricity tariff: a cheaper off-peak rate for around 7 hours overnight and a higher peak/day rate for the remaining hours. Off-peak times vary by region, meter type, and supplier (often somewhere between 10pm–8am). To avoid bill surprises, confirm your exact off-peak window with your supplier or check your smart meter/in-home display.

Is Economy 7 good for homes with solar panels and a battery?

It can be. If you have a home battery, Economy 7 (or similar time-of-use tariffs) may let you charge the battery at the lower night rate and use that stored energy during the day — potentially reducing daytime imports. Solar generation can also reduce daytime imports, but you’ll typically benefit most when your battery strategy and household usage are aligned to the cheaper hours. For the best fit, compare your import/export rates and how much energy you can realistically shift.

Do I need a special meter to go on Economy 7?

Yes. Economy 7 requires a two-rate meter (often a smart meter configured for time-of-use, or a traditional Economy 7 meter) that records peak and off-peak consumption separately. Your supplier can usually arrange a meter change if needed, and you should confirm any installation fees or contract implications before switching.

How do I know if I’ll save money on Economy 7?

Check (1) your current annual kWh usage, (2) what percentage you can move to off-peak, and (3) the Economy 7 day and night unit rates plus standing charge. Then estimate: (off-peak kWh × night rate) + (peak kWh × day rate) + (standing charge × 365). Compare that to your current tariff. If you’re unsure, use your half-hourly smart meter data (if available) to see how much usage already occurs overnight.

What are the downsides of Economy 7?

The main risk is paying a higher day rate if you don’t shift enough usage overnight. Some households also find it inconvenient to run appliances at night, and off-peak hours can vary (especially with older meters or regional timing). If you have gas heating and low overnight usage, Economy 7 is often less suitable.

Can I use Economy 7 for EV charging?

Yes — Economy 7 can be a good match if you regularly charge your electric vehicle overnight. Set your charger or vehicle to schedule charging within your off-peak window to maximise savings. If you do a lot of daytime charging, you may benefit more from an EV-focused tariff with a longer or cheaper off-peak period.

What’s the difference between Economy 7 and Economy 10?

Economy 7 typically offers 7 cheaper off-peak hours overnight. Economy 10 usually offers 10 off-peak hours split across overnight and daytime periods (varies by supplier/region). Economy 10 can suit homes needing more flexibility (e.g., some electric heating setups), but availability is more limited.

Will I lose my smart meter features if I switch to Economy 7?

Usually no. Many smart meters support multiple registers for time-of-use tariffs. However, the exact setup depends on your meter type and supplier. Ask your supplier to confirm that your meter will be configured correctly for two rates before the tariff goes live.

What should I do before switching to Economy 7?

Before you switch, confirm your off-peak hours, compare unit rates and standing charges, and check whether you can shift key loads (hot water, EV charging, dishwasher/washing machine) to night time. If you’re also considering solar panels or battery storage, you can explore options and get a quote at https://www.energyplus.co.uk/solar/ to see how solar + storage could reduce imports and improve savings.

Should I switch to an Economy 7 tariff UK now?

Check, in minutes, whether Economy 7 could lower your electricity costs based on how you use energy at home. EnergyPlus compares whole-of-market options and highlights the best Economy 7-style deals and alternatives.

Find out if your night-rate usage is high enough to benefit
Compare Economy 7 vs single-rate tariffs from multiple suppliers
Get tailored results using your postcode and household details

Check my Economy 7 options Learn how Economy 7 works

Home energy only. No obligation. Switching support available. Tariffs and savings depend on your meter type, region, and usage pattern.

Get a tailored Economy 7 comparison (whole-of-market)

Economy 7 can be excellent value for some households — and expensive for others. The key is whether you can shift enough electricity use into the cheaper night-rate window without paying too much on the day rate.

Use the form to check options available at your postcode, including:

Economy 7 (two-rate) electricity tariffs
Single-rate electricity tariffs (one price all day)
Where relevant, time-of-use alternatives and supplier-specific offers

Tip: If you have storage heaters, an immersion heater, or you can run appliances overnight, Economy 7 is more likely to make sense. If you’re mostly at home in the day and can’t move usage, it often won’t.

What we’ll use to match the right tariff

Your postcode (region and network area affects rates)
Contact details to send your results and switching support
Whether Economy 7 is suitable for your home setup

Check Economy 7 deals

Fill in the form and we’ll help you compare tariffs available for your home.

When switching to Economy 7 usually makes sense

Economy 7 gives you two electricity rates: a cheaper night rate for around seven hours, and a higher day rate the rest of the time. The potential win is simple: use more electricity at night than the average household.

Best for storage heating

If you have storage heaters (or a storage hot water cylinder), Economy 7 is often the intended tariff. Your system can charge overnight and release heat during the day.

Strong night-time usage

You’re more likely to save if you can shift roughly a third or more of your electricity to off-peak hours (e.g., laundry, dishwasher, EV charging).

You can time appliances

If your appliances have delay-start or smart plugs, you can automate off-peak use without changing your routine.

Often not worth it if…

Most of your use is daytime (WFH, electric cooking, tumble dryer used daytime)
You have no way to shift load (no timers, no storage heating)
You’re on a strong single-rate fix and would pay a much higher day rate

Good to check before switching

Is your meter set up for two readings? (Economy 7 or smart meter in two-rate mode)
What are your day rate, night rate, and standing charge?
What time are off-peak hours in your area?

What is an Economy 7 tariff (and how does it work)?

Economy 7 is a traditional UK two-rate electricity tariff. You pay a cheaper unit rate for around seven hours overnight (the night rate) and a higher unit rate for the rest of the day (the day rate). You’ll also pay a standing charge as normal.

Important: Economy 7 off-peak hours are not identical across the UK. They depend on your meter configuration and local network timing. A comparison should use your actual meter times (or supplier confirmation), not assumptions.

Typical Economy 7 rate structure

Cost element	Economy 7	Single-rate	What to watch
Unit rate (day)	Higher	Standard	Daytime-heavy households can pay more overall
Unit rate (night)	Lower for ~7 hours	N/A	Savings depend on how much you can shift into off-peak
Standing charge	Applies	Applies	Compare like-for-like (region matters)
Meter readings	Two readings (day & night)	One reading	Billing issues can arise if the wrong register is used

How to decide: a simple 3-step approach

Estimate your night usage share: If it’s around 30–40% or more, Economy 7 may be worth a closer look.
Compare day/night/standing charge together: A great night rate can be offset by an expensive day rate.
Check your off-peak times: Make sure your biggest loads can run inside your actual night window.

Quick check: is Economy 7 likely to be cheaper for you?

You don’t need perfect data to get directionally correct. Use these questions to decide whether to run a full comparison:

Likely “yes” signals

You have storage heaters and/or a hot water cylinder
You can run dishwasher/laundry overnight
You have (or plan) an EV or home battery and can charge off-peak
Your current bills show a meaningful night register (two numbers)

Likely “no” signals

Your heating and hot water are mostly gas and you don’t run heavy loads at night
You’re home in the day and cook electrically (high daytime load)
You can’t set timers and won’t change usage habits
You’re on a competitive single-rate fix with a low day unit price

Reality check: Many households benefit only if they can move a substantial share of usage into off-peak. If you’re unsure, it’s still worth comparing — but include single-rate options so you can see the true difference.

Run my comparison Avoid common mistakes

Economy 7 off-peak times in the UK (what you need to know)

Your off-peak window is set by your meter configuration. For many homes it’s overnight, but the exact start/end can vary. Some meters also split the seven hours into blocks (for example, a few hours late evening and the rest early morning).

Where to find your actual timings

Your latest electricity bill (may state Economy 7 hours)
Your supplier’s online account or tariff info
Your meter manual/model information (for some older meters)
Ask your supplier to confirm in writing if you rely on overnight heating

Why timings matter

If your immersion heater runs outside off-peak, costs can spike
EV charging needs to align with the window for best value
Clocks on older meters can drift; smart meters reduce this issue

Smart meter note: A smart meter can still be billed on Economy 7 (two registers). Switching tariffs doesn’t always mean your meter setup changes automatically — the supplier must apply the correct configuration.

Common Economy 7 switching mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Comparing night rate only

A cheap night rate can look great, but the day rate is often higher. Always compare your estimated total annual cost using your day/night split.

Wrong register billing

If day/night readings are mixed up, bills can be incorrect. Take a photo of your meter display when switching and keep your opening/closing readings.

Off-peak hours assumptions

Not all Economy 7 hours are the same across the UK. Confirm your exact off-peak window, especially if you rely on overnight heating/hot water.

Forgetting the standing charge

Standing charges vary by region and tariff. When you compare, make sure you’re looking at the total cost, not just unit prices.

Switching without checking your heating controls

Storage heating and immersion controls must be set to use the off-peak supply. If you’re unsure, check your programmer/timer settings before you change tariff.

Economy 7 FAQs

Can I switch to Economy 7 if I don’t have storage heaters?

Yes, but you’ll usually need a two-rate meter setup and enough off-peak usage to offset the higher day rate. EV charging, home batteries, and timed appliances can make it viable.

Will a smart meter stop me using Economy 7?

No. Smart meters can record multiple registers. The key is that the supplier must bill you on the correct tariff and register configuration.

Is Economy 7 only for electricity (not gas)?

Correct. Economy 7 relates to electricity pricing. If you have gas, it remains on its own tariff and pricing structure.

Do I need to wait until my fix ends?

If you’re on a fixed tariff, you may pay an exit fee for leaving early. A comparison can still be useful: it shows whether it’s worth waiting or switching later.

What day/night split do I need for Economy 7 to be cheaper?

It varies by tariff, but many households need roughly 30–40% of electricity used at night to see meaningful savings. Your region, standing charge, and day rate all change the break-even point.

Can Economy 7 work well with solar panels?

It can, depending on your setup. Solar can reduce daytime grid use; Economy 7 can then make overnight charging (for a battery or EV) cheaper. The best option depends on export tariffs, battery size, and your usage profile.

Why homeowners use EnergyPlus to compare Economy 7

Whole-of-market mindset

We focus on helping you compare across the market, so you can see whether Economy 7 is genuinely better than a single-rate alternative for your home.

Clear, practical guidance

We explain what matters: off-peak timings, day/night splits, meter setup, and how to avoid the most common billing pitfalls.

Support if you decide to switch

If the numbers stack up, we’ll help you take the next step and move to a tariff that suits your household’s routine.

What customers say

“I wasn’t sure Economy 7 would help without storage heaters. The comparison made it clear that a single-rate fix was cheaper for us — and saved me from making a costly switch.”

Homeowner, UK

“We do most of our washing overnight and use an immersion heater. Switching to a two-rate tariff reduced our bills once we matched it to our actual off-peak hours.”

Homeowner, England

Ready to see if Economy 7 is right for your home?

Get a personalised comparison using your postcode and household details. We’ll show Economy 7 options alongside single-rate alternatives so you can make a confident decision.

Whole-of-market comparison approach
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No obligation to switch

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Updated on 14 Feb 2026