Peak and off-peak time explained

Understanding when electricity costs more or less can significantly reduce your household bills. By making a few adjustments to when you use energy, you can take control of your consumption and make a real "power play" against rising costs. This approach empowers you to optimise usage and achieve "power to play with" your energy, moving beyond scarcity.

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Understanding peak and off-peak electricity

Electricity prices in the UK are not static; they fluctuate throughout the day based on demand on the National Grid. These variations are categorised into 'peak' and 'off-peak' hours, reflecting periods of high and low demand. Knowing these times is the first step to making your energy work harder for you.

What defines peak and off-peak?

Peak electricity hours are typically when most people are awake and using electricity, such as weekday evenings when households are home, cooking, watching TV, and running appliances. During these times, demand on the National Grid is highest, making electricity more expensive to generate. Conversely, off-peak hours usually occur overnight when most households are asleep and demand plummets, making electricity cheaper. Off-peak times can also include early mornings or sometimes weekends, depending on your specific tariff and supplier. Electricity costs less during off-peak periods, which benefits households who are flexible in their electricity use, such as using appliances at night.

How Time-of-Use tariffs work

Time-of-Use (ToU) tariffs, sometimes called 'tou tariffs', charge customers different amounts for electricity depending on the time of day it is used. These tariffs offer cheaper prices during off-peak hours when demand is low and higher prices during peak hours when demand is high. This pricing structure encourages consumers to shift high-energy activities to cheaper periods, which benefits both their wallets and the energy grid.

To access dual-rate tariffs, you will need a compatible smart meter or a multi-register meter. While a smart meter is not strictly required for off-peak or dual-rate tariffs, as eligibility is determined by your Supply Point Administration Number (SSC), smart meters enable automated readings and eligibility for smart-meter-dependent tariff features.

Typical UK timings and benefits

Leveraging peak and off-peak periods can lead to substantial savings and contribute to a more efficient national energy system.

Common off-peak hours

Off-peak electricity times vary depending on your meter and tariff. Dual-rate tariffs have peak and off-peak periods, and this depends on your meter configuration. Some tariffs, like Economy 7, offer seven hours of low-cost electricity, often from midnight to 7am, while Economy 10 provides ten hours spread across the day and night. It is crucial to check your specific tariff details, as these windows are not universal.

Saving money and supporting the grid

Shifting high-consumption activities to cheaper off-peak hours can lead to substantial savings on household electricity bills. Beyond individual savings, optimising electricity usage during off-peak times also contributes to a more stable and efficient national energy grid. When demand is lower, the grid can often utilise cleaner energy sources, aligning individual "power plays" with the broader benefit of a more abundant, cleaner energy future.

Practical steps to optimise usage

Making the most of peak and off-peak electricity times involves understanding your current usage and adapting your routines.

Identifying energy-intensive appliances

The first step is to identify which appliances in your home consume the most electricity. High-energy items typically include washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, electric vehicle (EV) chargers, and immersion heaters. The average UK home uses around 2,500 kWh of electricity per year1. Knowing which appliances contribute most to your consumption allows you to target them for off-peak scheduling.

Scheduling smartly with smart meters

Smart meters make Time-of-Use tariffs possible by sending regular and accurate readings of your electricity use to your energy supplier. With a smart meter, you can plan and schedule appliance usage - for example, running your washing machine, dishwasher, or charging your EV - during cheaper off-peak periods. Many smart appliances and EV chargers can even be automated to switch on when off-peak rates begin.

The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) for legacy meters is being phased out. The RTS system, which used a longwave radio signal to switch between peak and off-peak rates, began its phased shutdown from 30 June 2025. If you have an RTS meter, your current supplier will need to replace it with a smart meter to ensure you can continue to access Time-of-Use tariffs.

Choosing the right dual-rate tariff

Selecting a dual-rate tariff requires careful consideration of your lifestyle and what a supplier offers.

Assessing your energy habits

Before switching to a dual-rate tariff, assess your household's typical energy consumption patterns. Can you realistically shift a significant portion of your energy use to off-peak hours? If you can use a large proportion of your electricity overnight, for example, for storage heaters or EV charging, a dual-rate tariff could be beneficial. If your energy use is consistently high during peak times and you cannot easily change it, a single-rate tariff might be more suitable.

What to look for in a supplier

When considering a dual-rate tariff, look for a supplier that offers transparency and control. Ofgem, the energy regulator for Great Britain, sets rules for how energy suppliers operate and offer tariffs, including those with variable pricing. A modern energy supplier's app can provide real-time visibility into your energy usage and costs, making it easy to manage your dual-rate tariff and make informed decisions. Look for features that allow you to track consumption, view your bill breakdown, and understand your savings. Access to 24/7 human customer support can also be invaluable when optimising your energy usage.

The broader impact of smart energy

Individual choices about energy consumption have a collective impact, helping to shape the future of the energy system.

Grid stability and efficiency

Every time a household shifts its electricity use to off-peak hours, it contributes to the overall stability and efficiency of the energy grid. This collective action reduces strain during peak demand, lessening the need for expensive, often less clean, power generation sources to kick in. By making these smart energy choices, consumers play an active role in building a more resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure.

Empowering the consumer

The shift towards Time-of-Use tariffs and smart energy management challenges the traditional "use less" narrative. Instead, it promotes a "use smarter" approach, empowering consumers to make conscious decisions about when and how they use electricity. This gives households more control over their budgets and energy consumption, transforming energy from a source of anxiety into an opportunity for intelligent management and even "power to play with."

Take the stress out of managing your energy. With Fuse Energy, you get clear pricing, real-time usage data, 24/7 human customer support, and a modern energy experience designed around you. Signing up takes just a few minutes, so you can take control of your bills from day one. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy today and start saving. Find out about our mission to make energy abundant by clicking here.

References

1. Ofgem. Review of Typical Domestic Consumption Values