Is Electricity Cheaper at Night?

Energy bills have been a hot topic over recent months. Many families have been struggling with the rising costs of gas and electricity alongside the rising cost of food, and it’s not surprising that people are looking for ways to save on their bills. So is electricity cheaper at night and should families be setting their washing machines to start in the early hours in order to save money?

Is Electricity Cheaper at Night?

The simple answer to this question is no, electricity is not usually cheaper at night. However, there are exceptions to this.

There are, however, energy suppliers who offer special tariffs which include a cheaper rate during the night. If this sounds like something that would benefit you, then it’s definitely worth looking into.

How can I get cheaper electricity at night?

If having access to cheaper electricity at night is something that you feel would work for you, then take a look at off-peak tariffs. These are usually called Economy 7 or Economy 12.

Economy 7

Economy 7 tariffs give you a reduced rate for 7 hours during the night. The exact hours vary slightly between suppliers.

Economy 10

Economy 10 tariffs give you a reduced rate for 10 hours during the night. Again the exact hours vary between suppliers.

Off-peak times for both tariffs are usually for 7 or 10 hours between 10pm and 8am. With these tariffs, you will be charged two different rates for your electricity. You pay one rate for the electricity you use during the day, and a reduced rate of up to 50% lower during the off-peak hours. You’ll be able to see if you’re on one of these tariffs as you’ll see two different rates on your electricity bill. These two rates might be called low and normal, low and high, or day and night depending on your supplier.

Why do some companies charge less for electricity at night?

The main reason that energy companies offer off-peak tariffs is to encourage their customers to use their appliances at times when there is less demand.

The early evening is the peak time for electricity use. It’s the time when people are getting home from work, putting lights on, cooking meals, and throwing the laundry into the washing machine. This puts a huge strain on energy companies and they are keen to cut this strain down by encouraging people to use their appliances off-peak. This is also why some energy companies have recently been trialling a scheme to reward customers who cut down their usage during peak hours.

How much money could you save?

Every tariff is different, and every household’s electricity usage is different, so it’s impossible to predict how much money an off-peak electricity tariff could save you. However, some tariffs offer a 50% discount for electricity usage in the qualifying off-peak hours. So, if you use appliances such as your washing machine or dishwasher during those hours, then it would cost you half the amount it would if you used them during the day. That’s quite a big saving.

What’s the catch?

It may sound like a no-brainer to just switch to an off-peak economy tariff and start using your appliances at night. But, be careful! The catch with these tariffs is that although you do get a discounted rate overnight, you then pay a higher rate than standard tariffs during daytime hours. So, for many families, it’s just not worth the switch.

However, if your home uses storage heaters to heat the house rather than gas central heating, then a cheaper night rate could actually benefit you. Storage heaters work by drawing in electricity over the course of the night which is then released as heat during the day which will lead to lower bills if you have an Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariff.

Is Electricity Cheaper at Night? FAQs

So is electricity cheaper at night? The answer is that it really depends on your family’s circumstances. But although it is possible to get a cheaper rate for nighttime usage, it often isn’t worth it.

Here are a few FAQs that might help you to decide.

Which is cheaper, gas or electricity?

No. Gas is actually cheaper per unit than electricity.

Which household appliances use the most electricity?

The answer to this question varies a lot depending on the age and efficiency of the appliance. But these are the top five household appliances that typically use the most electricity:

• Washing machines
• Dishwashers
• Tumble Dryers
• Fridges and freezers
• Electric ovens

Is there a cheaper time to run your washing machine?

Only if you have an off-peak tariff. If you have a standard tariff, then it will cost the same to use your washing machine no matter what time of day you turn it on.

Is it safe to have appliances running during the night?

This is the big question you need to ask yourself if you’re thinking of making the switch. I personally wouldn’t be happy to have any electrical appliances running during the night when we’re asleep in bed. I also won’t use my washing machine or tumble dryer when I’m out of the house either. We don’t have a dishwasher, but I wouldn’t use that when I’m not home either.

You need to weigh up whether you’re happy with using appliances when you’re asleep. Personally, we had a tumble dryer in the garage at our old house that almost set on fire. There was smoke billowing out from underneath the garage door. If I hadn’t been home to turn it off then it’s highly likely it would have set on fire.

It’s better if you have appliances that are energy efficient. Luckily, a wide range of microwaves and other appliances that are energy efficient are readily available in the market.

Can I switch to an Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariff if I’m in debit?

If you’re in debit with your energy bills, then you might need to settle your existing bill before you can switch to a new tariff, particularly if you want to switch to a new supplier.

Is it easy to switch to an off-peak energy tariff?

In order to switch to an off-peak tariff for your electricity, you will need a meter that is compatible with dual-rates. Most new smart meters are compatible, but you will need to double-check this before making the switch.

Is Economy 7 worth having if I have gas central heating?

Economy 7 and Economy 10 tariffs work best for people who have electric storage heaters rather than central heating.

I have solar panels. Is electricity cheaper at night for me?

If you have solar panels fitted to your home, then you might benefit from a lower rate for electricity during the night. Your solar panels will provide electricity during daylight hours, saving you money on your bills and you can then benefit from a lower rate during the night.

So, is electricity cheaper at night?

For most people, it isn’t worth switching to an off-peak plan as your daytime rates will be more expensive. But, if you have storage heaters, then a cheaper night rate could actually benefit you and save you money. If you’re not sure, then it’s worth a call to your energy provider who will be able to discuss your usage with you.