EDF Economy 10 tariff rates and times explained
Understand how Economy 10 works, when the cheaper electricity hours usually happen, and how to check whether EDF (or any supplier) can support your meter before you compare.
- Answer-first summary of Economy 10 times, meter types and what to look for
- Practical examples for electric heating and hot water (with clear assumptions)
- Comparison checklist and a quote form to see live options for your postcode
Rates, times and eligibility vary by meter setup and region. Use a quote to view current offers for your postcode.
Fast answer: EDF Economy 10 tariff rates and times explained
EDF Economy 10 tariff rates and times explained: Economy 10 gives you 10 off-peak hours of cheaper electricity each day, usually split across overnight and daytime blocks. The exact Economy 10 times are set by your meter and local network, so you must confirm the switching times on your meter or bill before relying on them.
What you can safely assume
You’ll have two electricity prices (peak and off-peak) and a standing charge. Off-peak hours total 10 per day, but the clock times vary.
Who it’s usually for
Homes with electric storage heating, immersion hot water, or other high use you can shift into off-peak hours.
The main risk
If most of your usage happens at peak times, Economy 10 can cost more than a single-rate tariff. Always check your actual day/night split.
Quick check before you do anything: find out whether you have an Economy 10 capable meter (often multi-rate) and whether your heating/hot water is wired to use off-peak properly. If you’re unsure, your current bill or your meter display is the best starting point.
How Economy 10 works (and what “times” really means)
Economy 10 is a UK time-of-use electricity setup where your meter records consumption across two (or more) registers. You pay a lower unit rate during the off-peak windows (adding up to 10 hours daily) and a higher unit rate at peak times.
People often search for “EDF Economy 10 times” expecting a single national schedule. In practice, the off-peak windows can differ due to meter programming, your electricity distribution area, and sometimes whether your setup is designed around storage heating.
Typical patterns you may see
Split blocks (common): a longer overnight period plus one or two shorter daytime “boost” periods.
Mostly overnight: still totals 10 hours but clustered overnight (less helpful if you need daytime heating).
Important: we are not publishing EDF-specific off-peak clock times here because times can vary by meter setup and change when meters are reconfigured. The reliable route is to confirm your own meter’s switching times and then compare live tariffs for your postcode.
How to find your Economy 10 times
- Check your electricity bill for rate names like “Day / Night” or multiple registers (sometimes shown as Rate 1 / Rate 2).
- Look at your meter display. Many meters let you cycle through registers and sometimes show the active rate.
- If you have storage heaters / immersion, find out whether they’re on a controlled circuit (sometimes called heating/hot water supply).
- If anything doesn’t match, ask your supplier to confirm your current meter configuration and whether it’s compatible with Economy 10 tariffs.
What “rates” means on Economy 10
- Off-peak unit rate
- Lower price per kWh during your off-peak windows (total 10 hours/day).
- Peak unit rate
- Higher price per kWh outside the off-peak windows.
- Standing charge
- Daily fixed charge that applies regardless of usage.
Does a smart meter change Economy 10 times?
It can. Some smart meter setups support multi-rate and time-of-use tariffs, but how it’s configured (and what tariff choices are available) depends on your meter, supplier systems, and your current wiring. If you’re switching supplier, you may be offered an alternative tariff structure rather than a like-for-like Economy 10 arrangement.
If your home has storage heaters, don’t switch tariffs based on “10 hours off-peak” alone. Confirm whether your heating/hot water will still charge at the cheaper rate after a switch.
Compare Economy 10 options (without guessing your rates)
Because Economy 10 rates and times can vary by meter configuration, the most accurate approach is to compare using your postcode and (if possible) your current meter details. We’ll show available tariffs for your property and payment preferences, so you can assess whether an Economy 10-style option is competitive for you.
Before you request a quote (2-minute prep)
- Your postcode (tariffs differ by region/network).
- Whether you pay by Direct Debit, on receipt of bill, or prepayment (options can differ).
- Your meter type (single-rate, multi-rate, smart) and whether you have storage heating.
- If you can: a recent bill showing estimated annual usage (kWh) and how much was day vs off-peak.
Tenant? You can usually switch energy supplier if you pay the bills, but you may not be able to change the meter/wiring without the landlord’s agreement. If your heating depends on off-peak control, be cautious about changing anything until you’ve checked.
Get a whole-of-market quote
We’ll use your details to show available tariffs. No rates are shown on this page because they change frequently and depend on your meter setup.
Two realistic scenarios (illustrative only)
These examples show how your day/off-peak split can matter more than the headline “10 hours”. They are not EDF prices and not a prediction of your bill — just a way to think about the maths.
Scenario A: Storage heating household (good fit)
Assumptions: 4,800 kWh/year electricity use; 60% off-peak (2,880 kWh) because storage heaters and hot water charge mostly overnight/daytime off-peak blocks.
What to check: your heaters/immersion are wired to the off-peak circuit, and you can avoid heavy peak-time use (tumble dryer, cooking, portable heaters) during expensive hours.
Scenario B: Mostly daytime home working (often poor fit)
Assumptions: 3,200 kWh/year; only 20% off-peak (640 kWh) because most use is daytime cooking/heating with portable electric heaters and appliances.
What to check: whether a single-rate tariff would be simpler and potentially cheaper, and whether you’re paying a premium peak rate for most of your usage.
If you can’t estimate your off-peak share, start by looking at a recent bill or taking meter readings for peak/off-peak registers over 7 days. Even a short snapshot helps you avoid switching to the wrong structure.
Economy 10 vs alternatives: what to compare
When people say “I want EDF Economy 10”, what they often need is: a tariff that rewards off-peak usage and works with their heating/hot water setup. Use the table below to compare structures, then check what’s actually available for your meter and postcode.
| Tariff type | How pricing works | Best for | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy 10 (multi-rate) | Two prices: off-peak for 10 hours/day + peak for the rest (standing charge applies). | Storage heaters, immersion hot water, shiftable load. | Times differ by meter; peak rate can be high; may be fewer supplier choices. |
| Economy 7 (multi-rate) | Two prices: off-peak for 7 hours overnight + peak for the rest. | Overnight charging (some storage heating/hot water setups). | No daytime off-peak “boost”; may not match your heating pattern. |
| Single-rate (standard) | One unit rate all day (standing charge applies). | Most homes without storage heating or where usage is spread through the day. | No cheaper window to target; could cost more if you can heavily shift usage. |
| Other time-of-use tariffs | Multiple price periods (varies by supplier and meter capability). | People who can reliably move load to specific hours. | Complexity; needs active management; may not suit storage-heating wiring. |
Decision checklist: is Economy 10 likely to suit you?
Often a good match if…
- You have storage heaters or electric wet heating designed to charge off-peak.
- You can run the immersion / high-load appliances mainly in off-peak windows.
- Your bills show a meaningful off-peak share (as a rough guide, 40%+ is worth investigating carefully).
Often not a good match if…
- Your heating is mostly portable electric or you need lots of daytime peak usage.
- You can’t confirm the off-peak times and which circuits get the cheaper rate.
- You want the simplest bill and don’t want to manage timing.
Costs, exclusions and common pitfalls (UK-specific)
1) Times can be different to what you expect
Economy 10 windows are not universal. If you assume the wrong hours, you may run appliances at peak rates. Confirm the switching times from your meter/bill before planning usage.
2) Your heating/hot water may be on a separate circuit
Some setups feed storage heating/immersion via a controlled off-peak circuit. Switching tariff or meter type can affect how (or whether) that circuit is energised.
3) Fewer compatible tariffs in the market
Not every supplier supports every multi-rate configuration. If you have an uncommon meter arrangement, your choice of tariffs may be more limited than single-rate homes.
Standing charges and payment method
All mainstream domestic tariffs include a standing charge, and rates can differ by payment method (for example Direct Debit vs other arrangements). Compare using your real preferences to avoid surprises.
Exit fees and contract terms
Some fixed tariffs include exit fees, while others don’t. Always check the tariff’s key terms before switching — especially if you’re testing Economy 10 and might want to move again.
Common meter-reading mistake: multi-rate meters have separate registers. If you (or a supplier) submit the wrong reading to the wrong register, bills can look wildly off. Take clear photos of your meter screens when you submit readings.
FAQs
What are the EDF Economy 10 times?
There isn’t one universal set of EDF Economy 10 times. Economy 10 gives 10 off-peak hours per day, but the exact clock times depend on your meter setup and local electricity network. The safest way is to confirm the switching times on your own meter or bill.
How do I tell if I have an Economy 10 meter?
Look for multiple readings/registers on your meter display (for example Rate 1/Rate 2) or multiple unit rates on your electricity bill. Homes with storage heaters sometimes also have a separate supply for heating/hot water. If you’re unsure, ask your supplier to confirm your meter configuration.
Can I switch supplier if I’m currently on Economy 10 with EDF?
Usually yes, but your options can be more limited because not all suppliers support every Economy 10-style meter setup. Before switching, check whether the new supplier can bill your meter correctly and whether your heating/hot water will still receive off-peak electricity as intended.
Is Economy 10 cheaper than Economy 7?
Not automatically. Economy 10 offers more off-peak hours, but the peak rate and off-peak rate levels vary by tariff and supplier. The better option depends on when you use electricity (and whether daytime off-peak helps your heating pattern). Comparing for your postcode is the most reliable way to judge.
Will a smart meter remove Economy 10?
Not necessarily, but it can change what tariffs are available and how your supply is configured. Some smart meter setups support multi-rate/time-of-use tariffs. If your home relies on controlled off-peak heating circuits, confirm in advance that the new arrangement will continue to support them.
I have storage heaters — what’s the single most important thing to check?
Check that your storage heaters and hot water are actually charging during the off-peak windows and being billed at the off-peak rate. If your heating is wired to a controlled circuit, make sure any switch won’t disrupt when that circuit is live.
Can tenants go on Economy 10?
If you pay the bills, you can usually choose the supplier and tariff, but changing meter types or heating controls may need the landlord’s permission. If your home has storage heating, be cautious about changing anything that affects the off-peak supply.
How can I estimate whether Economy 10 will suit me?
Start with your day vs off-peak kWh from a bill. If you don’t have it, take meter readings from each register over 7 days and calculate the share that lands off-peak. Economy 10 tends to work best when a substantial portion of your usage (often heating/hot water) can reliably fall into off-peak hours.
Trust, methodology and sources
Page accountability
- Written by: EnergyPlus Editorial Team
- Reviewed by: Energy Specialist
- Last updated: August 2026
How we assess Economy 10 information (and limitations)
This guide focuses on what stays broadly true across the UK: Economy 10 means 10 off-peak hours per day with multi-rate billing, but off-peak clock times and tariff availability depend on meter configuration and region.
What we do: explain the structure, the decisions that matter (meter type, circuits, usage timing), and how to verify your own switching times. We provide illustrative scenarios using kWh splits rather than publishing supplier unit rates.
What we don’t do: publish EDF (or any supplier) live unit rates, standing charges, exit fees, or guaranteed times, because these change and vary by postcode and meter type. Use a quote to see live options.
Recommended UK sources
- Ofgem (regulator guidance on bills, meters and switching)
- Citizens Advice energy advice (support with billing issues and switching)
- GOV.UK (consumer rights and broader household guidance)
If you’re experiencing billing problems with multi-rate meters, keep a dated log of readings and photos. It can make resolving disputes much faster.
Ready to check whether Economy 10 is right for your home?
Get a whole-of-market quote for your postcode and compare tariff structures based on your meter type and how you actually use electricity.
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