Cheapest electricity tariff for night storage heaters (UK guide)
Find the most cost-effective tariff type for storage heaters (typically Economy 7 or similar) and compare whole-of-market options based on your meter, region and night-use pattern.
- Quick answer: the “cheapest” option depends on your meter and how much you can shift into off-peak hours
- Includes realistic examples, pitfalls (metering, times, exit fees) and a tariff checklist
- Compare with confidence: transparent assumptions and UK sources (Ofgem, Citizens Advice, GOV.UK)
Estimates only. Prices vary by region, meter type, payment method and supplier availability. Storage-heater tariffs need compatible metering.
Fast answer: what’s usually cheapest for night storage heaters?
For most UK homes with night storage heaters, the cheapest electricity tariff is typically a multi-rate tariff (most commonly Economy 7) if you can use a meaningful share of your electricity overnight (usually by charging storage heaters and heating hot water off-peak).
Important: “Cheapest” can flip to a single-rate tariff if you don’t use enough off-peak electricity, your off-peak hours don’t match your heating pattern, or your meter isn’t set up correctly.
Key takeaways
- Economy 7 tends to suit storage heaters when ~35–45%+ of usage is off-peak (varies by prices).
- Economy 10 / other multi-rate can help if you need some cheaper power in the day, but availability is more limited.
- Single-rate can be cheaper overall for light overnight use or if your storage heaters aren’t actually charging off-peak.
- The best deal depends on region, payment method, meter type (including smart meter configuration), standing charge and any exit fees.
What to check first (2 minutes)
- Your meter type
- Economy 7 / two-rate meter, smart meter set to multi-rate, or a legacy setup (e.g. Radio Teleswitch).
- Off-peak hours
- Often ~7 hours overnight, but exact times vary by supplier, region and meter configuration.
- How your heaters are wired
- Some homes have a separate circuit (or control) for storage heater charging; others don’t.
Compare storage-heater tariffs (whole-of-market)
Tell us a few details and we’ll match you with tariffs that fit night storage heaters—including multi-rate options where available. This helps avoid quotes that look cheap but don’t work with your meter or off-peak schedule.
- Checks suitability for Economy 7 / multi-rate where possible
- Considers region, payment method and standing charge
- Shows estimated costs (not guaranteed) and highlights key terms
Tip: If you have a recent bill, check whether it shows separate day and night readings (or rates). That’s a quick sign you’re on a multi-rate setup.
Two realistic cost scenarios (with numbers)
These examples show why the “cheapest” tariff depends on how much you use overnight. Figures are illustrative and not a forecast of your bill.
Scenario A: Storage heaters used properly (high off-peak)
Assumptions: 4,200 kWh/year total; 45% off-peak (1,890 kWh) + 55% peak (2,310 kWh). Standing charge ignored for simplicity.
| Tariff type (example) | Rates used | Estimated annual usage cost |
|---|---|---|
| Economy 7 | 18p night / 33p day | (1,890×£0.18) + (2,310×£0.33) = £1,101.30 |
| Single-rate | 27p flat | £1,134.00 |
In this example, Economy 7 is cheaper on usage because enough electricity is shifted to the lower night rate.
Scenario B: Low off-peak use (storage heaters under-used)
Assumptions: 3,200 kWh/year total; 20% off-peak (640 kWh) + 80% peak (2,560 kWh). Standing charge ignored for simplicity.
| Tariff type (example) | Rates used | Estimated annual usage cost |
|---|---|---|
| Economy 7 | 18p night / 33p day | (640×£0.18) + (2,560×£0.33) = £960.00 |
| Single-rate | 27p flat | £864.00 |
Here, the higher day rate outweighs the cheaper night rate—so a single-rate tariff wins.
Get tailored quotes
We’ll use your details to match tariffs available in your area. If you’re on (or need) a multi-rate meter for storage heaters, tell us—so we can prioritise suitable options.
Not sure if you have Economy 7? Look for two unit rates on your bill (day/night) or two register readings on the meter (often labelled 1 and 2). If you have a smart meter, your In-Home Display may show separate day and night rates if configured for multi-rate.
Which tariff type is cheapest for storage heaters?
Storage heaters are designed to charge overnight and release heat during the day. That design usually pairs best with a cheaper off-peak rate—but only if you actually use it.
Economy 7 (two-rate)
Typically ~7 off-peak hours overnight. Best when a significant share of your usage (heating + hot water) happens off-peak.
- Usually lower night unit rate
- Often higher day unit rate
- Standing charge can be higher or lower—depends on supplier
Economy 10 / multi-rate
More off-peak hours (often split across day/evening/night). Can suit households needing flexibility (e.g. daytime top-up).
- Availability can be limited
- Metering and times vary widely
- Check compatibility before switching
Single-rate (flat)
One unit rate all day. Often best if you don’t use storage heaters much, don’t have hot water on a timer, or can’t shift usage overnight.
- Simpler billing and comparison
- No reliance on off-peak hours
- Can reduce risk of “wrong” usage split
About off-peak times: Economy 7 hours are not universal. They can vary by region, supplier and meter configuration (and may change after smart meter exchanges). Always confirm the actual off-peak times before relying on them for heating and hot water.
Comparison table: choose the best tariff for your set-up
Use this to narrow down the tariff type before you compare suppliers. It focuses on the practical stuff that affects storage heaters: metering, times, and your day/night usage.
| Option | Best for | Watch-outs | What to check before switching |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy 7 | Storage heaters + hot water charged overnight; higher night-use | Higher day rate can increase costs if you’re in all day or use lots of cooking/appliances at peak | Off-peak hours; whether heaters/hot water are on the off-peak circuit; standing charge; exit fees |
| Economy 10 / multi-rate | Homes needing some cheaper power outside overnight hours | Not available everywhere; may limit supplier choice; timings can be complex | Exact rate windows; meter compatibility; whether supplier supports your meter profile |
| Single-rate | Low off-peak use; storage heaters rarely used; predictable bills | You may lose off-peak benefit if you do rely on overnight charging | Your actual night-use %; whether switching requires meter reconfiguration; standing charge vs unit rate trade-off |
Decision checklist (quick)
- My storage heaters charge overnight (timer/controls set correctly).
- I know (or can confirm) my off-peak hours.
- At least a third of my usage is likely overnight (or I can make it so).
- I’ve checked standing charge and any exit fees (not just unit rates).
- My meter can support the tariff I’m switching to.
Who it suits / who it doesn’t
- Economy 7 is likely to suit you if…
- you heat mainly via storage heaters, can run hot water overnight, and you’re not using lots of power during peak hours.
- Economy 7 may not suit you if…
- you’re home all day with high daytime usage, your heaters are not on the off-peak circuit, or your off-peak window doesn’t match your set-up.
Costs, exclusions and common pitfalls (UK)
Night storage heater tariffs can be excellent value when the set-up is right. These are the issues we see most often when people end up paying more than expected.
1) Standing charge dominates low users
If you use relatively little electricity, a higher standing charge can wipe out unit-rate savings. Always compare estimated annual cost using your usage, not just p/kWh.
2) Off-peak times aren’t universal
Economy 7 off-peak hours can differ by region and meter set-up. If your heater charges outside the cheap window, costs can rise quickly.
3) Smart meter changes can affect multi-rate
A smart meter exchange or configuration change can alter how registers/rates are applied. Confirm the new tariff mapping (day/night) and the registers shown on the bill.
4) Exit fees and contract terms
Some fixed deals have exit fees. If you’re switching to fix the storage-heater set-up, check whether leaving early costs more than waiting.
Metering caveat: Not every supplier supports every legacy multi-rate arrangement (for example, certain complex set-ups historically controlled via teleswitching). If your home has a non-standard arrangement, we recommend confirming compatibility before initiating a switch.
What you might be excluded from
- Some online-only deals if you need paper billing or support.
- Some multi-rate deals if your meter profile isn’t supported.
- Certain payment method discounts (e.g. Direct Debit) if you prefer non-DD payment.
Quick fixes that often help
- Set immersion/hot water to heat within the off-peak window.
- Check storage heater input/output settings match the weather and your schedule.
- Ask your supplier to confirm your Economy 7 times and registers.
- If you’re unsure, take a photo of your meter and bill and keep it for reference.
FAQs
Is Economy 7 always the cheapest for storage heaters?
No. It’s often cheapest when you use a high proportion of electricity overnight. If most of your usage is daytime, the higher day rate can make Economy 7 more expensive than a single-rate tariff.
What percentage of night usage makes Economy 7 worthwhile?
There’s no universal threshold because it depends on the gap between day and night rates and your standing charge. As a rule of thumb, many households need roughly 35–45% of electricity at the night rate to benefit—but you should test using actual rates for your postcode.
What are typical Economy 7 off-peak hours?
Often around seven hours overnight, but the exact times vary by region and meter configuration. Some are split (e.g. a break in the middle). Confirm your times with your supplier or from your tariff information.
Can I switch from Economy 7 to a single-rate tariff?
Often yes, but it depends on your meter and supplier. Some switches may require a meter reconfiguration or exchange. Also consider whether your storage heaters and hot water rely on an off-peak circuit.
Do I need a special meter for night storage heaters?
To access off-peak rates like Economy 7, you’ll typically need a compatible multi-rate meter setup (which can be a traditional two-register meter or a smart meter configured for multi-rate). Your home may also have wiring/controls that ensure heaters charge on the off-peak supply.
Will a smart meter work with Economy 7?
In many cases, yes—smart meters can be set up for multi-rate billing. The key is ensuring your supplier configures the registers and billing correctly and that your off-peak times are confirmed in writing (e.g. on your tariff details or bill).
Does my region in the UK affect which tariff is cheapest?
Yes. Electricity unit rates and standing charges vary by distribution region, so the cheapest supplier/tariff in one postcode may not be the cheapest in another.
What if my bill shows day/night but I don’t have storage heaters?
You can still be on Economy 7 without storage heaters (sometimes due to previous occupants). If you’re not using much electricity overnight, it may be worth comparing against single-rate tariffs—just check whether changing affects any existing circuits for hot water.
Trust, methodology and sources
Page ownership
- Written by
- EnergyPlus Editorial Team
- Reviewed by
- Energy Specialist
- Last updated
- May 2026
How we assess “cheapest” for storage heaters
We don’t label one supplier as “the cheapest for everyone”. Instead, we explain which tariff types tend to be cheapest for night storage heater households and what changes the outcome.
- Inputs we consider: day and night unit rates (p/kWh), standing charge (p/day), region, payment method (e.g. Direct Debit), and any exit fees on fixed tariffs.
- Usage split: we focus on the share of electricity that can reasonably move to off-peak (storage heaters, immersion/hot water, some appliances).
- Suitability checks: whether a home has (or can get) a compatible multi-rate set-up, and whether off-peak times work for the home.
- Limitations: off-peak time windows and multi-rate compatibility vary; some legacy metering arrangements can reduce supplier choice; prices and availability change frequently.
Transparency note: The worked scenarios on this page use simplified assumptions (and may omit standing charge) to show how the day/night split affects outcomes. Your results will differ; always compare using your actual usage and tariff terms.
UK sources we rely on
- Ofgem (UK energy regulator) — guidance on energy markets, switching and consumer rights.
- Citizens Advice: energy advice — practical consumer help for bills, meters and problems with suppliers.
- GOV.UK — official information about support schemes and public guidance (where applicable).
Ready to find the best tariff for your storage heaters?
Compare whole-of-market electricity tariffs for your postcode and get options that fit your meter and off-peak needs—without guesswork.
Reminder: Always confirm off-peak times and whether your storage heaters/hot water heat during those hours before you commit to a tariff.
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