Umair Gaines
Many energy suppliers offer reduced or discounted rates for using electricity during off-peak times, which are typically at night. These are known as time-of-use tariffs, and they can help you save money on your energy bills. The off-peak hours vary between suppliers, your location, and the time of year, but they usually fall between midnight and 8 am. To benefit from these cheaper rates, you'll need a smart meter or a dual-rate meter that can track your energy usage and the time of day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheaper electricity at night | Yes, if you choose an off-peak tariff, such as an EV or Economy 7 tariff |
| Economy 7 tariff | Offers 7 hours of cheaper electricity, usually between 11 pm and 8 am |
| Economy 10 tariff | Offers the same daily off-peak rate every day of the week |
| Time-of-use tariffs | Offer cheaper electricity at weekends, but the rate won't be exactly half the normal rate |
| Electric vehicle tariffs | Offer cheap electricity overnight, although hours can vary |
| PeakSave Sundays | Offers half-price electricity between 11 am and 4 pm on Sundays |
| PeakSave Green Flex | Offers half-price electricity for one or two hours when there is likely to be a lot of renewable energy available |
| Off-peak hours | Can vary between suppliers, location, and time of year |
| Meter type | A smart meter or a dual-rate meter is needed to record how much electricity is used at different times of the day |
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What You'll Learn
Economy 7 tariffs
While Economy 7 can offer savings for some consumers, it is important to carefully analyse one's energy usage patterns. For example, if the price during the 'day' period is double the normal tariff, one would need to use over two-thirds of their energy during the 'night' period to break even. Additionally, these tariffs can be more expensive than standard tariffs if a significant amount of energy is used during peak hours, and they may be inconvenient for those who do not have storage heaters or similar appliances.
To make the most of Economy 7 tariffs, it is recommended to use electricity-intensive appliances during off-peak hours, such as washing machines, dishwashers, tumble dryers, and electric showers. It is also beneficial to invest in a storage heater, which stores heat during off-peak hours and releases it during peak hours. By following these tips and comparing prices from different energy suppliers, one can maximise the benefits of Economy 7 tariffs and find the best deal for their needs.
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Off-peak times
To benefit from off-peak rates, you typically need a smart meter or a dual-rate meter that can track your energy usage and the time of day it occurs. This allows your supplier to charge you a lower rate during off-peak periods. Some suppliers, like British Gas, offer programmes such as PeakSave, where customers earn credits on their bills for shifting their energy usage to off-peak times.
It's important to note that off-peak tariffs are most advantageous if a significant portion (around 30%-40%) of your electricity usage occurs during the off-peak hours. These tariffs usually have higher daytime rates, so if most of your energy usage is during the day, you may end up paying more than a standard tariff. Therefore, understanding your energy usage patterns is crucial before switching to an off-peak tariff.
Economy 7 and Economy 10 tariffs are popular choices for off-peak rates. They offer a set number of off-peak hours each day, regardless of the day of the week. However, other time-of-use tariffs may offer cheaper rates on weekends or specific days, so it's worth exploring the various options available from different suppliers.
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Time-of-use tariffs
To benefit from cheaper electricity at night, you will need to switch to a time-of-use tariff. Time-of-use tariffs charge customers less for using electricity during off-peak times, which are usually considered to be between midnight and 5 am or 8 am. The exact off-peak times vary between suppliers, where you live, and the time of year.
Electric vehicle tariffs are a type of time-of-use tariff targeted at drivers of electric vehicles who need to charge their cars a few times a week. Under most EV tariffs, any electricity used by your household during the specified off-peak hours will be cheaper, regardless of whether it is for your EV charger, kettle, or washing machine. However, you will likely only be eligible for EV tariffs if you have an electric vehicle and a home charge point.
It is important to note that time-of-use tariffs are only economical if a significant proportion of your electricity usage occurs during off-peak hours. It is recommended that at least 40% of your electricity use takes place during nighttime hours to make the most of these tariffs. You can use a smart meter to track your energy usage and take advantage of the varying rates offered by time-of-use tariffs.
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Electric vehicle tariffs
Night rates for electricity vary depending on the supplier and where you live. For example, British Gas's Economy 7 tariff offers a cheaper night-time rate that runs for 7 hours between midnight and 8 am.
Electric vehicle (EV) tariffs are designed to offer flexibility and cost-effectiveness for people who rely on their electric vehicles for daily transport. They are targeted at drivers of electric vehicles who typically need to charge their EV a few times a week. EV tariffs usually offer lower rates during off-peak hours, such as overnight. For example, the E.ON Next Drive tariff offers a discounted rate from midnight to 6 am, with a fixed rate of 7.5p per kWh.
It is important to note that EV tariffs are generally only economical if a substantial proportion of your electricity usage is at night. To benefit from cheaper off-peak electricity, you will need a smart meter that can track both how much energy you use and what time of day you use it. Some suppliers, such as British Gas, offer incentives for customers with smart meters to shift their energy use to off-peak hours.
When considering an EV tariff, it is recommended to assess your EV charging needs and compare different tariffs based on factors like unit rates, standing charges, and any additional benefits or incentives. It is also worth noting that standard variable tariffs (SVTs) are typically more expensive than EV-specific tariffs as they do not offer specific benefits for EV charging, such as lower off-peak rates.
Overall, switching to an EV tariff can provide peace of mind and stability for EV owners by allowing them to budget for energy costs related to electric vehicle charging and take advantage of lower off-peak rates.
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Smart meters
To benefit from cheaper off-peak electricity, you will need a meter that can keep track of both how much energy you use and what time of day you use it. This usually means a smart meter, which your supplier will install for free. Smart meters are essential for modern off-peak tariffs, often called time-of-use tariffs, as they accurately track your energy use throughout the day. This precise tracking means you can truly make the most of off-peak electricity times across the UK.
If you have a smart meter, you can use your energy usage data to see if you're consistently using more energy at night than during the day, helping you decide if an off-peak tariff is right for you. Your smart meter provides valuable insights into your household's unique off-peak electricity consumption. For example, you can determine whether you should charge your electric vehicle overnight, run storage heaters during the night, or use your washing machine, tumble dryer, or dishwasher on a timer during off-peak hours.
While smart meters are designed to auto-display your meter reading on the main screen, they do not have Day and Night registers. Instead, they have four registers, and your supplier will have configured the meter to use two of these registers. To view the rates on your smart meter, you can follow a specific sequence of button presses to access the ''TOUmatrx' sub-menu, where you can view both Rate 1 and Rate 2. There is no convention that says R1 is peak and R2 is off-peak, so you may need to take readings at different times of the day to determine which rate is which. Additionally, you can use third-party apps like Hugo or Bright App to check your rates and monitor your energy usage.
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Frequently asked questions
You can opt for a time-of-use tariff to get cheaper electricity at night. Examples include the Economy 7 tariff, which offers seven hours of cheaper electricity at night, and the Economy 10 tariff, which offers a similar deal. However, these tariffs are only economical if a substantial proportion of your electricity usage is at night. Electric vehicle tariffs are another option, but these are usually only available to those with electric vehicles.
Check your electricity bill. If you have a time-of-use tariff, your bill will show two separate sets of meter readings, as well as different unit rates for day and night. Look for phrases like "day rate" and "night rate" or "peak" and "off-peak".
Contact your energy supplier to discuss switching to a time-of-use tariff. Your supplier will be able to advise you on the best tariff for your needs and install a smart meter if necessary.
