Energy
Economy 7 Explained: Night Rates and Whether It Suits You
Economy 7 is an electricity tariff with a cheaper rate for seven hours at night and a dearer rate in the day. It suits a home that uses a large share of its electricity at night, such as with storage heaters.
- Seven cheaper hours at night
- Two readings every time
- Hours set by region and meter
Your electricity
- Night rate
- From your bill
- Day rate
- From your bill
- Readings
- Day and night
Example. Your own details appear once you add them.
Does Economy 7 suit your home
Likely to suit
Much of the use is at night
- Storage heaters
- Hot water heated overnight
- An electric car charged at night
Less likely to suit
Most of the use is in the day
- Gas central heating
- Cooking, washing and working at home in the day
- Little you can move to the night
Check on your bill
Before you decide
- Both unit rates
- How much was used at each
- Your night hours
The full guide
Economy 7 is an electricity tariff with a cheaper rate for seven hours at night and a dearer rate during the day. It suits a home that uses a large share of its electricity at night, such as with storage heaters. If most of your use is in the day, it can cost more than a single-rate tariff.
How to tell if you have it
- Your bill shows two electricity unit rates, often called day and night, or normal and low.
- Your meter shows two readings, or a smart meter records both.
- You may have storage heaters or a hot water cylinder set to heat overnight.
When the night hours are
The seven hours are set by your region and your meter, usually some time between 10pm and 8:30am. Some meters stay on winter time all year, so the hours move by one hour in summer. Your bill or your supplier can tell you yours.
When it suits a home
| Likely to suit | Less likely to suit |
|---|---|
| Storage heaters | Gas central heating |
| Hot water heated overnight | Most use in the day |
| An electric car charged at night | Little you can move to the night |
Readings and bills
Give both readings each time, day and night. If a bill uses only one, or swaps them, tell your supplier. Economy 7 tariffs on a standard variable rate are covered by Ofgem’s price cap, which limits each unit rate and the standing charge, not your total bill.
How Wisemium helps
Upload your energy bill to Wisemium and it reads the supplier, tariff, unit rates and standing charges for you to confirm, and keeps them with any fixed term end date. Wisemium does not change your meter or tariff; your supplier does.
Wisemium reads your tariff and prices for you to confirm, and keeps them with any fixed term end date.
Common questions
What are Economy 7 hours?
Seven hours at night set by your region and meter, usually some time between 10pm and 8:30am. Your bill or supplier can tell you yours.
Is Economy 7 cheaper?
Only if a large share of your electricity is used at night. The day rate is usually higher than a single-rate tariff.
Can I come off Economy 7?
Ask your supplier. It may mean changing or reprogramming the meter, which your supplier can explain.
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