Is electricity cheaper at night?

Yes, electricity can be cheaper at night in the UK, but this depends entirely on your energy tariff and meter type. For many households, shifting energy-intensive activities to off-peak night hours can significantly reduce electricity bills. Harnessing cheaper night-time electricity can make a real difference to your household budget.

If you're looking to take advantage of cheaper night-time electricity, Fuse Energy offers dual-rate tariffs and an intuitive app to help you manage your usage effectively. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy today.

Understanding night-time electricity rates

Electricity rates in the UK are not static; they fluctuate based on supply and demand. Understanding these variations is key to optimising your energy spend.

Why electricity rates vary

Energy prices vary because the cost of generating and delivering electricity changes throughout the day. During peak times, typically early mornings and evenings when most people are using appliances, demand on the National Grid is high. To meet this demand, more expensive forms of generation might be brought online. Conversely, during the night, demand generally drops significantly.

The role of grid demand and renewables

The UK's electricity grid operates most efficiently when demand is stable. When demand is low, particularly overnight, there is often an abundance of cheaper electricity available. This includes a higher proportion from renewable sources like wind, which often generates electricity throughout the night. Energy suppliers pass these savings on to consumers through specific tariffs designed to encourage off-peak usage, helping to balance the grid.

How time-of-use tariffs work

Time-of-use (ToU) tariffs are designed to charge different rates for electricity depending on the time of day. These tariffs typically divide the day into 'peak' and 'off-peak' periods.

Peak vs off-peak hours

• Peak hours: These are usually during the day and early evening (e.g., 7am to 11pm), when electricity demand is highest. Rates during these times are higher.
• Off-peak hours: These are typically overnight (e.g., 11pm to 7am), when demand is lowest. Rates during these times can be significantly lower, often half or less of the Ofgem Price Cap for typical domestic consumption, which is 26.11p per kWh from 1 July to 30 September 2026.

The exact timings for peak and off-peak periods can vary between suppliers and tariffs, so it's crucial to check the specifics of your plan.

Economy 7 tariffs

Economy 7 is a traditional time-of-use tariff that has been available in the UK for decades. It offers seven hours of cheaper electricity, usually overnight, in exchange for higher daytime rates.

• Meter type: Economy 7 requires a special multi-rate meter that can record electricity usage during both peak and off-peak periods. Dual-rate tariffs require either a smart meter or a multi-register (dual-rate) meter to record electricity usage during different time periods.
• Suitability: It's most beneficial for households that can shift a significant portion of their electricity consumption to the seven off-peak hours, such as those with electric storage heaters or electric vehicle (EV) owners.

Smart meter tariffs

With the rollout of smart meters, energy suppliers can offer more flexible and dynamic time-of-use tariffs. These tariffs can sometimes have more than two rates (e.g., peak, off-peak, and super off-peak) or even vary rates on a half-hourly basis depending on real-time grid conditions.

• Benefits: Smart meter tariffs often provide greater control and visibility over energy usage through apps, allowing consumers to track their consumption and costs in detail.
• Flexibility: They can be particularly advantageous for those with smart home appliances or EV chargers that can be programmed to operate during the cheapest periods.
• RTS phase-out: The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) for legacy meters is being phased out, with the signal switch-off beginning on 30 June 2025. This means homes with these older meters will need a smart meter replacement to continue accessing time-of-use tariffs.

Who benefits most from cheaper night-time electricity?

Certain households are particularly well-placed to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates.

Electric vehicle owners

Electric vehicle (EV) owners can significantly reduce their running costs by charging their vehicles overnight during off-peak hours. A full charge for an EV can consume a substantial amount of electricity, making the lower night-time rates very appealing. Many smart chargers can be programmed to automatically begin charging when off-peak rates start. You can find out more about EV charger installation for your home.

Households with energy-intensive appliances

If you regularly use appliances like washing machines, tumble dryers, or dishwashers, scheduling them to run overnight can lead to considerable savings. Similarly, homes with electric storage heaters are designed to charge up during the cheaper night-time hours and release heat throughout the day. The average UK home uses around 2,500 kWh of electricity per year. Shifting a portion of this usage to off-peak times can lead to noticeable savings.

Homes with smart devices

Smart plugs and smart home energy management systems allow you to automate when your appliances turn on and off. This makes it easier to ensure devices operate during off-peak windows without manual intervention, maximising your savings effortlessly.

Accessing and maximising your savings

If you're looking to benefit from cheaper night-time electricity, follow these steps:

1. Check your meter and usage: You'll need either a smart meter or a multi-register (dual-rate) meter (like an Economy 7 meter) to access time-of-use tariffs. If you have a standard single-rate meter, you'll need to arrange an upgrade, often provided free by your supplier. Learn more about smart meter installation. Review your electricity bills or use a smart meter in-home display to see when you use the most electricity. Identify which activities can be easily shifted to off-peak hours.
2. Comparing tariffs: Shop around and compare dual-rate tariffs from different suppliers. Look at both the off-peak and peak rates, as a very low off-peak rate might be offset by a very high peak rate if you can't shift enough usage.
3. Scheduling appliances: Make a conscious effort to run high-consumption appliances during off-peak times. This might involve using timers on washing machines or dishwashers, or programming your EV charger.

At Fuse Energy, we believe in a future where energy is abundant and empowers you, rather than being a source of worry. Our dual-rate tariffs and intuitive app are designed to put control back in your hands, allowing you to easily track your usage and take advantage of cheaper night-time electricity. We aim to make optimising your energy consumption simple and rewarding, supported by our 24/7 human customer support. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy today and discover how much you could save. You can also learn more about our mission to build a future with power to play with here.