Octopus Economy 7 tariff rates and night times explained
Understand how Economy 7 works in the UK, what “night rate” hours really mean, and what to check before choosing an Octopus (or any supplier’s) Economy 7 tariff. Use our comparison to see live day/night rates for your postcode and meter type.
- Clear explanation of Economy 7 day vs night pricing (no guesswork)
- How to find your exact off-peak hours (and why they vary)
- Two realistic cost scenarios to help you decide
Figures on this page are illustrative only. Exact Octopus Economy 7 rates and off-peak times depend on your meter setup, region, and tariff version—always confirm before switching.
Fast answer: Octopus Economy 7 tariff rates and night times explained
Economy 7 is a two-rate electricity tariff with around 7 hours of cheaper “night” electricity and a higher “day” rate. For Octopus Economy 7, the exact night-rate times are set by your meter’s configuration (not your supplier), so they can vary by area and meter type—always confirm your off-peak window before relying on it.
Key takeaway 1
Your meter determines the off-peak hours. Switching supplier may not change the timings, but changing meter type can.
Key takeaway 2
Economy 7 only tends to suit you if a meaningful share of your electricity use can happen overnight (e.g., storage heating, hot water, EV charging).
Key takeaway 3
Don’t compare using the average unit rate alone—compare day rate, night rate and standing charge together, using your own usage split.
Important: We don’t publish specific Octopus Economy 7 unit rates or “night times” as fixed figures because they can change and can differ by meter setup. Use the comparison journey to see live rates for your postcode and confirm timings with your meter readings or supplier.
How Economy 7 works (UK)
Economy 7 is a type of time-of-use electricity tariff. You pay:
- Day rate (higher) for most of the day
- Night rate (lower) for roughly 7 hours overnight
- Standing charge (daily) regardless of usage
You’ll usually have two electricity readings (or registers): one for day and one for night. Your bill is calculated by multiplying each register’s kWh by its matching unit rate, plus the standing charge.
Typical households it can suit
- Homes with electric storage heaters (charge overnight)
- Electric hot water tanks on a timer
- EV owners who can charge mostly overnight
- High overnight usage (e.g., shift workers)
When it often doesn’t suit
- You’re out at night and use most electricity in the day/evening
- You have gas for heating and hot water and low overnight electric use
- Your meter’s night hours don’t match when you can run appliances
- You can’t easily access or provide two readings (if needed)
Meter note: Economy 7 is for electricity. If you also have gas, it’s typically billed on a separate tariff and isn’t split into day/night rates.
Octopus Economy 7 night times: what they are and how to check yours
People often search for “Octopus Economy 7 night times” expecting a single fixed time window. In practice, Economy 7 off-peak hours are linked to your electricity meter’s setup (and sometimes local distribution arrangements). That means the window can differ between households—even with the same supplier.
How to find your off-peak hours (practical steps)
- Check your latest bill for day/night register labels and any stated off-peak period. Some bills show it; some don’t.
- Look at your meter registers. If you can see two readings, note which one increments overnight by checking at bedtime and again in the morning.
- Ask your supplier to confirm the Economy 7 switching times for your meter (quote your meter serial number and MPAN).
- If you have a smart meter, check your in-home display/app for day/night register information (naming varies).
Why timings can feel “off”
- Clocks drift on some older meters, so the switch time can shift gradually.
- BST/GMT changes can affect what you observe depending on meter type and configuration.
- Some setups have a split off-peak window (not always one continuous block).
- Multi-rate meters can label registers differently (e.g., Rate 1/Rate 2 rather than “day/night”).
Do not assume: If you schedule appliances (washing machine, dishwasher, EV charging) based on a “typical” Economy 7 window, you may accidentally run them at the higher day rate. Confirm your own hours first.
Compare Octopus Economy 7 against the whole market
Economy 7 is highly personal: the best option depends on your postcode (regional pricing), payment method, meter type, and how much of your electricity you can shift to off-peak hours.
Use the form to get a quote. We’ll show available Economy 7 and single-rate options side-by-side so you can compare day/night rates and standing charges using your details.
Good to have handy: an estimate of your annual electricity use (kWh) or a recent bill, and whether you have a two-rate (Economy 7) meter.
Quick self-check: do you likely suit Economy 7?
- Yes, likely if you can put ~30%+ of your electricity into the night window (common with storage heating/EVs).
- Maybe if you can move some loads (laundry/dishwasher) and you’re home late.
- Often no if most usage is evenings and you can’t run major loads overnight.
Get your quote
Two realistic scenarios (illustrative numbers)
These examples show how day/night split affects costs. We use simple maths so you can replicate it with your own quoted rates.
Scenario A: Storage heating household (high night use)
- Annual electricity use: 4,800 kWh
- Night share: 55% (2,640 kWh night / 2,160 kWh day)
- Example quoted rates (for illustration only): Day 30p, Night 15p, standing charge excluded
Estimated unit-cost total: (2,160×£0.30) + (2,640×£0.15) = £1,044 (plus standing charge). If the same home paid a flat 27p for all 4,800 kWh, unit-cost total would be £1,296. Economy 7 can look favourable when night use is high.
Scenario B: Gas-heated flat (low night use)
- Annual electricity use: 2,400 kWh
- Night share: 15% (360 kWh night / 2,040 kWh day)
- Example quoted rates (for illustration only): Day 30p, Night 15p, standing charge excluded
Estimated unit-cost total: (2,040×£0.30) + (360×£0.15) = £666 (plus standing charge). A flat 27p rate would be £648. With low night use, Economy 7 can be worse even if the night rate is much cheaper.
How to use this: Replace the example p/kWh with the live day/night rates you’re quoted, then apply your own day/night kWh split. Don’t forget standing charge differences—those can change the outcome.
Economy 7 vs single-rate: what to compare (not just price)
When you compare Octopus Economy 7 (or any Economy 7 tariff) to a standard single-rate tariff, focus on the components that drive your bill.
| What to compare | Economy 7 tariff | Single-rate tariff | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit rate(s) | Two rates: day + night | One rate all day | You need your own day/night usage split to judge value. |
| Standing charge | Daily charge applies | Daily charge applies | A higher standing charge can offset cheaper unit rates. |
| Off-peak time window | Set by your meter configuration | Not applicable | If the window doesn’t match your routine, you won’t benefit. |
| Meter/readings | Usually two registers to bill correctly | One register | Billing issues can happen if registers are misread or mapped. |
| Fees & terms | Varies by tariff | Varies by tariff | Check exit fees, contract length, and how prices can change. |
Decision checklist (quick and practical)
- 1) Do you know your off-peak hours?
- If not, find them first (see steps above). Don’t rely on assumptions.
- 2) Can you shift at least ~30% to night?
- If yes, Economy 7 is more likely to work. If no, it may cost more.
- 3) Do you have storage heaters / EV / hot water cylinder?
- These are the most common reasons Economy 7 is beneficial.
- 4) Have you compared standing charges?
- Small daily differences add up over a year—always compare.
A simple break-even method (use your own quote)
To estimate the night-use share you’d need for Economy 7 to match a single-rate tariff, use your quoted unit rates:
Break-even night share ≈ (Single-rate − Day-rate) ÷ (Night-rate − Day-rate)
This ignores standing charge differences—so treat it as a rough guide. If the Economy 7 standing charge is higher, you’ll need a higher night share to break even (and vice versa).
Costs, exclusions and common Economy 7 pitfalls
These are the issues that most often lead to unexpected bills or disappointment. If any apply to you, compare carefully or consider a single-rate tariff instead.
1) Using the “wrong” hours
If your appliances run outside your meter’s off-peak window, you’ll pay the day rate. Check your timings before setting timers.
2) Register mix-ups
Some bills show Rate 1/Rate 2 rather than “day/night”. If readings are swapped, bills can look wrong. Keep photo readings when you switch.
3) Standing charge differences
Two tariffs can have similar unit costs but different standing charges. Always compare the total estimated annual cost for your usage.
4) Smart meter expectations
A smart meter doesn’t automatically mean better off-peak rates. Economy 7 is about pricing structure; you still need a tariff that suits your usage.
5) Moving home / tenancy restrictions
If you rent, check whether you can change the meter setup. You can usually choose supplier, but meter changes may require permission and access.
6) Contract terms and fees
Some tariffs may include exit fees or fixed terms. Always read the tariff information before switching, especially if your situation may change.
Tip: If you’re unsure which register is night, take two photos: one late evening and one early morning. The register that increased overnight is usually your night/off-peak register (labelling differs).
FAQs
What are Octopus Economy 7 night times?
They’re the off-peak hours when your meter records electricity at the cheaper night rate. The exact Economy 7 night times aren’t universal: they’re determined by your meter’s configuration (and can vary by area and meter type). Always confirm your own window via your bill, meter readings, or by asking your supplier.
Is Octopus Economy 7 the same as a smart time-of-use tariff?
Not necessarily. Economy 7 is a two-rate setup (day and night) with roughly 7 off-peak hours. Some smart time-of-use tariffs can have different pricing periods and structures. What matters is the tariff’s unit rates, the time windows, and whether your meter supports the right registers.
Do I need a special meter for Economy 7?
Usually, yes—you typically need a meter that records electricity on two registers (day and night). Many smart meters can support multi-rate billing, but configuration varies. If you only have a single register, you may need a meter change before an Economy 7 tariff will bill correctly.
Will my Economy 7 times change if I switch to Octopus?
Often, the off-peak times stay the same because they’re linked to your meter setup rather than the supplier. However, if your meter is changed or reconfigured during the switch, your timings can change. Confirm your off-peak window after any meter work and keep initial readings/photos.
How can I tell if I’m actually being billed on the night rate?
Check your bill for two unit rates and two kWh totals (day and night). You can also track your meter registers: note which register increases overnight. If you suspect the registers are swapped or misapplied on your account, contact your supplier with photo readings and dates.
Does Economy 7 affect my standing charge?
It can. Standing charges vary by tariff, region, payment method and supplier, and they can differ between Economy 7 and single-rate options. When comparing, look at the full estimated annual cost using your usage and your quoted day/night rates, not unit rates alone.
Is Economy 7 good for EV charging?
It can be, if your off-peak window is long enough and you can reliably schedule charging within it. The key is whether a large portion of your charging happens during your meter’s night hours. Always check your specific timings and compare against other time-of-use options available for your postcode.
Can I switch from Economy 7 to a single-rate tariff?
In many cases, yes—you can choose a single-rate tariff even if you have a two-rate meter. However, billing setup and meter configuration can matter, and some situations may require meter changes. Compare options first and confirm with the supplier if any meter work would be needed.
If you’re unsure: Get a quote using your postcode and select the meter type you believe you have. Then double-check against a recent bill to avoid comparing the wrong tariff structure.
Trust, methodology and sources
Page accountability
- Written by:
- EnergyPlus Editorial Team
- Reviewed by:
- Energy Specialist
- Last updated:
- August 2026
How we assess Economy 7 guidance (and limitations)
This guide is designed to help you make a good decision without relying on live supplier-specific claims. We focus on the underlying mechanics that don’t change often (meter registers, day/night billing, usage shifting) and highlight what can vary (regional rates, standing charges, tariff terms, and meter-configured time windows).
- No live rates published: We don’t list Octopus Economy 7 unit rates or standing charges as fixed numbers because they change and vary by postcode and payment method.
- Illustrative scenarios: The worked examples use clearly labelled, made-up rates solely to demonstrate the maths. Replace them with your quote results.
- Times are household-specific: “Night times” are not a single national schedule; confirm the off-peak window for your own meter before you shift usage.
Sources (UK)
- Ofgem (UK energy regulator) — consumer guidance and regulatory context
- Citizens Advice: energy supply and bills — practical consumer help
- GOV.UK: energy — official UK information
If you believe something on this page is out of date, use the quote journey to check current options for your postcode and compare tariff terms carefully.
Ready to check Octopus Economy 7 rates for your postcode?
See live day/night rates and standing charges available to you, and compare Economy 7 against single-rate options in one place.
Back to Energy Tariffs