British Gas Economy 7 tariff prices and night rate times
A UK guide to how Economy 7 works, how British Gas Economy 7 prices are set, and how to find your exact night-rate hours for your meter and region — without guessing.
- See how day vs night unit rates typically work (and why the gap matters more than the headline price)
- Learn how to identify your off-peak window from your meter, bills, or supplier info
- Check if Economy 7 suits storage heaters, hot-water cylinders, EV charging, or flexible usage
Prices and times vary by meter type, region and tariff. Use your postcode for live figures and confirm your off-peak hours with your meter or supplier.
Fast answer: British Gas Economy 7 tariff prices and night rate times
British Gas Economy 7 tariff prices and night rate times vary by your exact tariff, region and meter set-up — and your night rate is usually a fixed 7-hour off‑peak window overnight. The only reliable way to confirm your times is to check your meter’s switching info, your bill/online account, or ask the supplier; don’t assume a standard time.
What “prices” means on Economy 7
You pay two electricity unit rates (day and night) plus a standing charge. Whether it’s good value depends mostly on how much you can shift into the night window.
Night-rate hours aren’t universal
The off‑peak window can differ by distribution region and meter type (including legacy teleswitch meters and some smart meters configured for E7).
Best next step
Use your postcode to see live Economy 7 options and compare with single‑rate tariffs, then confirm your actual off‑peak hours before changing how you use electricity.
Important: We don’t publish “British Gas unit rates” on this page because tariffs and prices change, and rates depend on your region, payment method and meter. Use the quote journey for live figures, and treat any third‑party price screenshots as out of date.
Compare Economy 7 prices safely (with your postcode)
Economy 7 can be great when you can reliably use a big chunk of electricity overnight (for example, storage heaters or heating hot water on an immersion). But if most of your usage stays in the day, a single‑rate tariff can work out cheaper even if the night rate looks attractive.
Before you compare, check these 4 things
- 1) Your meter type
- Economy 7 needs a meter that records day and night separately (or a smart meter set up to bill two rates). Some older set-ups use a radio teleswitch.
- 2) Your night-rate hours
- Your off‑peak window isn’t always the same as your neighbour’s. Confirm it before you set timers for heating, immersion or EV charging.
- 3) How much you can shift to night
- A rough starting point: Economy 7 tends to suit homes that can put a meaningful share of electricity into the night window. Your exact break‑even depends on the day/night price gap and standing charge.
- 4) Payment method & contract terms
- Direct Debit vs pay‑as‑you‑go, fixed vs variable, and exit fees (if any) can change the overall value. Always read the tariff information before switching.
If you want a quick sense-check: compare Economy 7 options and a single‑rate electricity tariff side by side, then estimate your annual cost using your real usage split.
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We’ll show live prices available for your postcode across the market. No guessing, no outdated screenshots.
British Gas Economy 7 night rate times: how to find yours
Your Economy 7 “night rate times” are the off‑peak hours when your electricity is billed at the cheaper night unit rate. The window is often overnight and totals around 7 hours, but the exact start and end times can differ due to meter configuration and regional networks.
Step 1: Check your latest bill or online account
Look for wording such as “off‑peak hours”, “night register”, or “Economy 7 times”. Some suppliers list the window; others don’t.
Step 2: Use your meter display to identify day vs night registers
Economy 7 meters usually show two readings (often labelled R1/R2, Rate 1/Rate 2, or similar). The register that increases overnight is your night register. If you’re unsure, take readings at a known time (for example, late evening and early morning) and compare.
Step 3: Confirm the switching window with the supplier (recommended)
If your home uses storage heaters, immersion heating or EV charging timers, it’s worth confirming the exact times directly. This avoids charging at the more expensive day rate by mistake.
Daylight saving time (BST/GMT): why it can confuse Economy 7
Some meters switch using an internal clock that may not change with the clocks. That can make your “night hours” appear to move by an hour when the UK changes between GMT and BST. If you notice a shift, confirm your billing times before relying on timers.
If you have a smart meter
A smart meter can still bill two rates, but the off‑peak hours are a tariff setting. Don’t assume the night window is the same as your old meter or the same as a friend’s — check what your tariff uses.
Tip: If your hot-water cylinder or storage heaters have timers, set them only after you’ve confirmed your off‑peak window. A one-hour mismatch can wipe out the benefit of Economy 7 for high-load appliances.
British Gas Economy 7 tariff prices: what you can (and can’t) compare
When people search for “British Gas Economy 7 prices”, they often want a simple p/kWh number. In reality, Economy 7 pricing has multiple moving parts, and the “right” choice depends on your usage pattern.
What makes up an Economy 7 price?
- Day unit rate (usually higher than single-rate)
- Night unit rate (lower, for ~7 off‑peak hours)
- Standing charge (daily fixed cost)
What changes those prices?
- Where you live (electricity distribution region)
- Payment method (e.g. Direct Debit vs prepayment)
- Tariff type (fixed vs variable; market conditions)
- Meter set-up and billing configuration
Two realistic scenarios (with numbers you can adapt)
We can’t publish live British Gas unit rates here. Instead, these scenarios show how to calculate the yearly cost difference using your own day/night rates and standing charge from any quote or bill. Replace the example rates with the real figures you see for your postcode.
Scenario A: Storage heaters + hot water (Economy 7 often fits)
Assumptions: 3,600 kWh/year electricity use. 55% night (1,980 kWh), 45% day (1,620 kWh). Example unit rates: day 30p/kWh, night 14p/kWh. Standing charge: 55p/day.
Estimated annual cost calculation:
Day: 1,620 × £0.30 = £486
Night: 1,980 × £0.14 = £277.20
Standing charge: 365 × £0.55 = £200.75
Total ≈ £963.95/year
Why it can work: a high share of usage is genuinely moved into the off‑peak window (not just “planned”).
Scenario B: Mostly daytime use (Economy 7 can cost more)
Assumptions: 3,600 kWh/year. 20% night (720 kWh), 80% day (2,880 kWh). Same example rates: day 30p/kWh, night 14p/kWh. Standing charge: 55p/day.
Estimated annual cost calculation:
Day: 2,880 × £0.30 = £864
Night: 720 × £0.14 = £100.80
Standing charge: 365 × £0.55 = £200.75
Total ≈ £1,165.55/year
Why it can fail: the higher day rate dominates when you can’t shift enough consumption overnight.
Caveat: The example rates above are placeholders for illustration only — not British Gas prices and not market averages. Always use the unit rates and standing charge shown in your quote, and remember VAT is normally included on domestic tariff quotes but check what the quote states.
Economy 7 vs single-rate: what to compare (table + checklist)
Use this table to compare any British Gas Economy 7 quote against a single‑rate electricity tariff (from any supplier). The goal is not “cheapest unit rate”, but lowest estimated annual cost for your real usage.
| What you’re comparing | Economy 7 (two-rate) | Single-rate | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit rates | Day rate + night rate | One unit rate | Economy 7 only wins if enough kWh are billed at night. |
| Standing charge | Daily fixed cost | Daily fixed cost | A small difference can outweigh unit-rate savings for low users. |
| Off-peak window | Fixed hours (confirm exact times) | Not applicable | If the window doesn’t match your lifestyle, you may not shift usage successfully. |
| Meter & set-up | Requires two-rate billing | Works on most meters | Switching tariffs may require meter reconfiguration or checks. |
| Best for | Homes with shiftable overnight load | Homes with mostly daytime/evening use | Choose what fits your usage, not what “sounds cheaper”. |
Quick decision checklist: Economy 7 may suit you if…
- You have storage heaters designed to charge overnight
- You heat hot water with an immersion and can time it to off‑peak hours
- You can run big loads overnight (for example EV charging where permitted and safe)
- You can consistently shift a meaningful share of kWh to night, not just occasionally
It may not suit you if…
- Your heating and hot water are mostly gas, with little overnight electric load
- You’re out in the day but cook/use appliances heavily in the evening (day rate applies)
- Your meter set-up makes timing unclear (until confirmed)
- You’re a low electricity user and the day rate/standing charge offsets the night saving
Best practice: Before switching, take a week of readings (or smart meter usage data) to estimate your day/night split. If you don’t know your split, any “Economy 7 is cheaper” claim is guesswork.
Costs, exclusions and common Economy 7 pitfalls
Economy 7 is straightforward once set up correctly, but a few UK-specific gotchas can trip people up — especially around meter timing and billing.
Pitfall 1: Assuming the night window is “midnight–7am”
Off‑peak hours can start earlier or later. If you set appliances to the wrong times, you can end up paying the higher day rate.
Pitfall 2: Register confusion (R1/R2)
Some meters label registers in a way that doesn’t clearly say “day” or “night”. If readings are submitted against the wrong register, bills can be incorrect until corrected.
Pitfall 3: Not checking tariff terms
Fixed tariffs may have end dates and could have exit fees. Variable tariffs can change. Always read the tariff information for your quote.
Meter changes and legacy equipment
Some older Economy 7 arrangements use radio teleswitching or wiring that controls storage heaters. Changes to metering can require planning so your heating/hot water still works as expected. If you rely on off‑peak circuits, confirm how they’ll be supported before any meter work.
If you’re in a flat or on a prepayment meter
Prepayment availability and rates vary, and some buildings have complex metering. If you’re unsure whether you have Economy 7, check your meter (two registers) or ask your supplier before comparing.
If your bills look wrong: Citizens Advice has guidance on what to do if you think your energy bill is incorrect, including meter readings and complaints steps: Citizens Advice: problems with your energy bill.
FAQs: British Gas Economy 7 prices and night rate times
What time does British Gas Economy 7 night rate start and end?
There isn’t one universal time. Economy 7 is usually a 7‑hour off‑peak window overnight, but the exact start/end depends on your meter configuration and region. The safest approach is to check your bill/online account, your meter’s switching information, or ask the supplier to confirm your exact times.
Can I get British Gas Economy 7 prices online?
You can see prices through a live quote for your postcode, but a generic “British Gas Economy 7 price” isn’t reliable because rates vary by region, payment method and tariff. Use a comparison quote to view the exact day rate, night rate and standing charge available to you at that time.
How do I know if I’m on Economy 7?
Check your electricity bill for two unit rates (day and night) or wording like “Economy 7”. On the meter, you’ll usually see two registers (for example R1/R2 or Rate 1/Rate 2). If you only have one rate and one register, you’re typically on a single‑rate tariff.
Does Economy 7 always save money?
No. Economy 7 can be cheaper if you can shift enough electricity use into the night window, but the day unit rate is often higher than a single‑rate tariff. Whether you save depends on your day/night usage split, the day/night price gap and the standing charge on the tariffs you’re comparing.
Will my Economy 7 times change when the clocks go forward or back?
They can appear to, depending on the meter’s internal clock and how it’s configured. Some meters don’t adjust automatically for BST/GMT changes. If you rely on timers for heating, immersion or EV charging, confirm your off‑peak window after the clock change to avoid charging at the day rate.
Can I switch from Economy 7 to a single-rate tariff (or the other way around)?
Often yes, but it depends on your meter and how it’s set up. Some homes can move tariffs without changing the meter; others may need the meter reconfigured or replaced. Before switching, confirm what will happen to any storage heating or off‑peak circuits, and check any contract terms or exit fees.
What should I do if my Economy 7 day and night readings look swapped?
Take clear photos of the meter display showing both registers and the time/date, then contact your supplier to check which register is day vs night on your account. Submitting readings to the wrong register can lead to incorrect billing, but it’s usually fixable once the supplier updates the register mapping.
Is Economy 7 the same as an EV tariff or other time-of-use tariffs?
Not necessarily. Economy 7 is a traditional two-rate structure with a fixed overnight off‑peak window. Other time‑of‑use tariffs can have different peak/off‑peak periods and may change the cheap window length. Always check the exact hours and rates for the specific tariff you’re considering.
Trust, methodology and sources
Editorial ownership
- Written by: EnergyPlus Editorial Team
- Reviewed by: Energy Specialist
- Last updated: August 2026
How we assess Economy 7 pricing (and limitations)
This page explains how to compare Economy 7 prices and night-rate times, but we don’t publish supplier unit rates because they change frequently and vary by region, payment method and meter. Our scenarios use illustrative example rates solely to show the calculation method.
- What we assume: you can access your annual kWh usage and (ideally) your day/night split from bills, meter readings or smart data.
- What we don’t assume: that Economy 7 is cheaper for everyone, or that a standard off‑peak window applies.
- What you should verify: your actual off‑peak hours, your meter configuration, and tariff terms (including any exit fees) before switching.
Sources (UK)
- Ofgem (UK energy regulator) — guidance on the retail energy market and consumer protections.
- Citizens Advice: Energy — practical consumer help, billing disputes and complaints.
- GOV.UK: Energy — government information on energy support and policy.
Accuracy note: If you spot a mismatch between your billed night-rate window and what you expected, prioritise what your meter and supplier confirm. Regional and meter-specific differences are common on legacy Economy 7 set-ups.
Ready to check British Gas Economy 7 prices for your postcode?
Compare day and night rates side by side with single‑rate options. We’ll help you avoid the most common Economy 7 mistakes: wrong timings and the wrong usage split.
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