Is it true that you get cheaper electricity at night than during the day? Like so many questions about utilities in the UK, the real answer is - it depends.
Some energy customers do pay less for their electricity at night time, and it saves some households hundreds of pounds a year. Here's how to find out if you could be saving on your energy bills after dark, and how to make the switch:
Who can get cheaper electricity at night?
Whether you could be paying less for electricity at certain times of day - or night - depends on your energy tariff. This is the agreement you have with your energy supplier about how much you'll pay for the gas and electricity you use. Certain tariffs include different rates for different times of day. If you can organise the bulk of your electricity use to fall within these times, you could save big.
Economy 7 tariffs
The most common type of time-sensitive energy tariff is called an Economy 7 tariff. Under this plan, you pay one lower-than-average rate for electricity for a 7 hour period at night, somewhere between 10pm and 9am. Then, you pay a different, higher-than-average rate for electricity the rest of the time.
To switch to an Economy 7 tariff you need to have the right kind of meter installed, one that measures your daytime and nighttime usage separately. If your home doesn't currently have a dual-rate meter fitted you can request one, but the process can take some time. Alternatively, modern smart meters record your usage in half-hourly periods, which does the same job. If you're interested in switching to an Economy 7 tariff, contact your energy supplier about having one of these smart meters installed. Not all suppliers offer Economy 7 tariffs, so you may have to switch to another supplier to get the deal you want.
Could I get cheaper electricity with an Economy 7 tariff?
According to British Gas, an Economy 7 tariff works out cheaper if you use at least 40% of your electricity during the off-peak period. Use significantly less than that overnight and you'll likely pay more overall, because daytime rates are higher than a standard single rate.
You'll get the most out of the tariff if your household can:
Use storage heaters and hot water tanks to store electricity for your heating and hot water at off-peak times to use throughout the day
Charge an electric car overnight, at off-peak times
Set electricity-intensive appliances like a dishwasher to run during the off-peak time window using a timer
Be careful! The actual off-peak window varies from supplier to supplier. Make sure you're timing your heavy electricity usage to actually take advantage of the savings.
Economy 10 tariffs
Some energy suppliers also offer off-peak tariffs called Economy 10 tariffs. These are less common, but work on the same principle as an Economy 7 tariff. The key difference is that the 10 cheaper hours are split across three separate windows rather than one long overnight block - typically around five hours overnight, three in the afternoon and two in the late evening.
The exact times are set by your regional electricity distribution network rather than your supplier, so they vary around the country, and some regions shift them when the clocks change. Your meter handles the switching automatically.
Other off-peak energy tariffs
As smart meters have become more capable, more energy suppliers have begun to take advantage of fluctuating demand on the energy grid to offer lower electricity prices.
One example is Octopus Energy, who offer a range of schemes to help customers save by using off-peak energy. One is Octopus Power Ups, which offers free electricity during limited sessions in particular regions, at times when local energy production exceeds demand. Another is their Intelligent Octopus Go tariff, designed for EV drivers. This takes control of charging your car overnight, switching the charging on and off depending on when electricity is cheapest to save you money.
Whichever route you take, it's worth checking your meter is actually sending readings first. Our guide to whether a smart meter saves money explains how to tell, and you can compare what you're paying now with our household bill calculator.
Not sure which tariff suits your household? Book a free call with Please Connect Me and we'll walk you through the options available at your address - including off-peak tariffs you might not have been offered.
