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With rising energy costs, understanding when electricity is cheapest can make a real difference to your monthly bill. For many households in the UK, adjusting energy use to off-peak times can lead to significant savings. Here’s what you need to know about finding and maximising the cheapest hours for electricity usage.
Energy providers typically set different rates for peak and off-peak hours. Peak hours, when demand is highest (usually during the day and evening), come with higher rates, while off-peak hours (late night and early morning) are much cheaper.
If you're on an Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariff, you have specific off-peak windows to take advantage of. For Economy 7, this is usually a seven-hour period, often from midnight to 7 a.m., when electricity rates are much lower. Economy 10 provides an additional three off-peak hours during the day, but the exact times can vary by provider.
Many providers now offer smart meters that enable real-time tracking of energy use. With smart meters, you can better monitor your consumption patterns and receive insights on when electricity is cheapest, especially with dynamic pricing options. Some providers offer tariffs that fluctuate based on daily demand, giving cheaper rates when demand is low.
Using energy-intensive appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and electric heaters during off-peak hours can lead to substantial savings. For those with storage heaters, heating water or charging electric vehicles overnight can maximise off-peak benefits.
Households with solar panels or battery storage can further optimise their energy costs by storing power during peak generation times and using it during peak demand hours. Some suppliers even offer incentives for using more energy during times when there is an excess of renewable energy on the grid.
Taking advantage of the cheapest times to use electricity can help you save and reduce the strain on the grid. As tariffs and technology continue to evolve, staying informed can lead to smarter, more sustainable energy use.